Acts 6:2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.”

This was a decisive moment in the early Church. Some would say that it was the start of the clergy/laity divide, and that actually is not unfair. At the very least, it is the practical application of what Paul famously wrote to the Ephesians: “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:11-12) This was in no way denying every believer equal access to God, it was a division of labor, a recognition that no individual can or should do everything that needs to be done in the Church, the Body of Christ. Jesus Himself, though perfect, didn’t do everything involved in His 3½ years of public ministry. Peter noted, through Mark, that “In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs.” (Mark 15:41) Not everyone has the same job! The problem is, we tend to weight jobs according to their value and importance, as we see them. That’s not wrong, but when it becomes weighting people as to value and importance, it can become tragic. Different churches, both as large organizations and individual congregations, fall all over the spectrum when it comes to this. Some are rigid and hierarchical, assigning strict roles that must not be exceeded, and some are so egalitarian that they fail to recognize different gifting. Both extremes can result in tragic consequences. We need to know that God made us differently and gifted us differently precisely because there are so many different things to do in His kingdom.

The past three weeks have been excellent training for this congregation in precisely this area. As I told them April 12^th, I gave them a “3-week vacation” from me, and all evidence so far points to their having stepped up beautifully, moving into areas of ministry they hadn’t previously attempted on their own. I genuinely look forward to seeing all the changes, in individuals and in how things are done, that have happened in this interval. There is a mountain of things that are specifically for me to do that is somewhat looming over me at this point, but even in that, I need to discern what is essential and what is not, and adjust my life and my schedule accordingly from this point forward. All of that tempers, somewhat, my joy and relief at being back in Omura, but the awareness of God’s faithfulness is overwhelming. I need to walk in moment-by-moment sensitivity, awareness, and obedience to God’s plans for me, so that they may be fulfilled by His power and wisdom on His schedule for His glory.

Father, thank You indeed that we made it safely back to Omura last night. Thank You that we slept as long as we did, despite jetlag. That seemed to persist for practically the entire 3 weeks we were in the US, but I ask for a quick work here! There are so many things I feel I want to do and/or need to do. Help me prioritize and schedule them according to Your plan, so that Your purposes for each one may be fulfilled, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!