“Several months after beginning my therapy sessions and after becoming acquainted with Audrey and Dixie, I also sought support from my church leaders. The church I attend is quite unusual in that it was set up exactly the same way Christ established his church while He was on the earth.
“Congregations are kept small (400-600 people) in order to foster the Christian concept that everyone is a vital member of the body of Christ. I Corinthians 12:21 says: ‘And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.’ (KJV)
“The goal is to involve everyone in a vital purpose and hopefully avoid losing anyone ‘in the cracks,’ so small congregations try to give every individual a ‘calling’ or job to do, whether it is teaching small children, mentoring and teaching teenagers, or leading the music.
“The leader of our congregation is called a ‘bishop,’ and like all who labor in the congregation, he is un-paid. Consequently, all labors are ‘labors of love.’ A bishop's calling is typically for only five to seven years, after which a new bishop is called to take his place. During his term as ‘The Bishop,’ a man is committed to sacrificing many hours in the service of his congregation, in addition to his family and employment obligations. A bishop serves willingly and enthusiastically as he looks after the temporal and spiritual welfare of the flock. Bishops develop a deep love for those they serve, and devote themselves to serving the Lord as they serve members of the congregation. . . .
“Bishops are asked to focus on ministering, not on being administrators. Despite this, however, bishops often find themselves caught up in the administration of programs. Each congregation has a number of committees and auxiliaries, and it is the bishop's job to meet with and advise the leaders of those organizations. In a perfect world, those leaders will have handled all of the administrative issues without his direct involvement. In reality, bishops often find themselves being pulled into various crises in order to keep the church's programs functioning.” (My Tears Fall Inside, pages 99-101)
No matter what makes up our busy schedules, each of us has to make a decision about priorities. It generally comes down to two choices, things to do or people. If we can always remember that people are more important than things, then those we truly love will be able to feel our love.
“Congregations are kept small (400-600 people) in order to foster the Christian concept that everyone is a vital member of the body of Christ. I Corinthians 12:21 says: ‘And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.’ (KJV)
“The goal is to involve everyone in a vital purpose and hopefully avoid losing anyone ‘in the cracks,’ so small congregations try to give every individual a ‘calling’ or job to do, whether it is teaching small children, mentoring and teaching teenagers, or leading the music.
“The leader of our congregation is called a ‘bishop,’ and like all who labor in the congregation, he is un-paid. Consequently, all labors are ‘labors of love.’ A bishop's calling is typically for only five to seven years, after which a new bishop is called to take his place. During his term as ‘The Bishop,’ a man is committed to sacrificing many hours in the service of his congregation, in addition to his family and employment obligations. A bishop serves willingly and enthusiastically as he looks after the temporal and spiritual welfare of the flock. Bishops develop a deep love for those they serve, and devote themselves to serving the Lord as they serve members of the congregation. . . .
“Bishops are asked to focus on ministering, not on being administrators. Despite this, however, bishops often find themselves caught up in the administration of programs. Each congregation has a number of committees and auxiliaries, and it is the bishop's job to meet with and advise the leaders of those organizations. In a perfect world, those leaders will have handled all of the administrative issues without his direct involvement. In reality, bishops often find themselves being pulled into various crises in order to keep the church's programs functioning.” (My Tears Fall Inside, pages 99-101)
No matter what makes up our busy schedules, each of us has to make a decision about priorities. It generally comes down to two choices, things to do or people. If we can always remember that people are more important than things, then those we truly love will be able to feel our love.
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