Key: Give
GIVE opportunities for all to actively participate
Church gatherings were simple and meant to build up the believers and inspire worship of God. In just a few sentences, Paul summarized: “What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” [1]
As Paul said, “Everyone” had a part to play.[2] The church discovered that all believers have spiritual gifts provided by God for ministering to one another and for reaching the lost. Working together as a body, they grew.[3]
Some of the more mature believers helped provide direction for the church. As new people came to meetings, they saw these “elders” serving as leaders. Stephanas and his team avoided pastoring or leading the new church.[4]
[1] I Corinthians 14:26
[2] Luke 10:21
[3] Eph.4:11-16; I Cor. 12:7, 14:26
[4] Titus 1:5