Two days ago I suggested that we are not doing well as a Body in equipping the saints for the work of service, Ephesians 4:11 – 16 (here @ Bible Gateway).
I used the example of pilots, doctors, engineers, and accountants as examples of how people are equipped for their professions. I closed the last post by suggesting that professionals are not the only career paths that are equipped in the way I described, essentially instruction, observation, critique.
Consider any job, any task that is performed for a wage. Regardless of its complexity, the one who performs it will be told what to do, their work will be checked, and they will be given feedback on how they did. Whether they are a mechanic or a garbage man, that process will be followed in some form.
Now ask yourself, when was the last time that happened with you in your community of faith. Let’s consider a simple basic of the Christian life. Say, having a consistent devotional. Were you shown how to do that, instructed? Did someone do it with you to show you how, instruction? Did someone ask or sit with you to see how you were doing your devotional, observation? Did they give you encouragement or suggest ways to make your devotional more effective, critique?
Yes? You are in a significant minority.
No? Your experience is normal.
If we are not equipping in this manner, what then are we doing and how is it working out?
We will consider that in the next post.
Consider any job, any task that is performed for a wage. Regardless of its complexity, the one who performs it will be told what to do, their work will be checked, and they will be given feedback on how they did. Whether they are a mechanic or a garbage man, that process will be followed in some form.
Now ask yourself, when was the last time that happened with you in your community of faith. Let’s consider a simple basic of the Christian life. Say, having a consistent devotional. Were you shown how to do that, instructed? Did someone do it with you to show you how, instruction? Did someone ask or sit with you to see how you were doing your devotional, observation? Did they give you encouragement or suggest ways to make your devotional more effective, critique?
Yes? You are in a significant minority.
No? Your experience is normal.
If we are not equipping in this manner, what then are we doing and how is it working out?
We will consider that in the next post.
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