Every Member A Minister

“Why do they do it that way? I think they should…”

Is a common quote you might hear in a lot of churches today. This kind of statement reveals a lot about how many Christians think about church; the pastors and staff are expected to do all the work while the congregants show up, get entertained and in many cases act as critics. This perspective is both unbiblical and unprofitable. 1 Corinthians 12:27 tells us, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” And also in verse 18 of the same chapter, “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him”.

Just like our physical bodies must have all its members (body parts) functioning as they are designed to function in order for the body to work right, the local church must have all its members functioning as they are gifted to function. 1 Corinthians 12:7 tells us that every believer is gifted to profit the rest of the body. This means that each member has been gifted by God (1 Corinthians 12:7) and placed within a local church (1 Corinthians 12:18) in order to serve God and be a part of furthering His kingdom through service to the church. The idea that God has made us to be differing "members" or parts of a fully functioning "body" flies in the face of the typical passivity and cynicism of many of today's churchgoers.

But how will the church ever create a culture of "every member a minister" if we don't begin by teaching, training and modeling? This is where Biblical Discipleship is important. In Living Faith Fellowship, every church member in every church is expected to be "discipled" and envisioned to disciple others also. Everyone must have faith, everyone must grow and everyone must own the mission.

There is no "they" or “them” only “us” - each member must take responsibility for the needs of their local church.

Living Faith Fellowship churches do not separate membership and staff. The Great Commission is the responsibility of every person who calls themselves by the name of Christian.