By Paul Monteith
With Jesus came a new covenant and a new commission. He commissioned his church to go into all the world and preach the gospel, that our sins could be forgiven through him and that we could be citizens of God's kingdom.
"The kingdom is not yet here in its fullness, but it is in us. So we live for the kingdom now. We live to make a difference now and to do work for his kingdom," Mr. Tkach explained.
To enable members to carry out that work, the church is moving toward an interdependent model of organization (see the Jan. 2 Worldwide News). Pastors will help members recognize and develop their spiritual gifts so the whole body is nurtured and edified.
"Representing the kingdom of God is not just the responsibility of ministers," he continued. "Every member has been given the ministry of reconciliation. They too can proclaim Christ's name; they too can invite people to church."
As the light of God shines through us, collectively and individually, we must point people to the source of that light. "Our goal is to bring people to Christ," he said, "and by fulfilling that goal God brings a harvest to us."
Summing up, Mr. Tkach said: "We are married to Christ. The church is the bride of Christ, and we are ministers of Christ--not of Ezekiel, not of John the Baptist, but of Jesus Christ. We must cultivate a zeal to proclaim his name and his wisdom."
Reports from ministers responsible for congregations in Central and South America, and Europe, indicate that while some areas lost ministers and members, those who remain are dedicated and faithful.
While the need for additional ministers was raised by several ministers, Felipe Neri, who has been pastoring several hard-hit areas in Central America, noted that new leaders are rising to meet the challenges.
His observation was confirmed by several other pastors.
Members are launching community outreach programs. In Guatemala, a country that has suffered from war, members there want to help war victims, Mr. Neri remarked.
In other areas, members have organized Bible school programs for children and plan to start a program to help troubled young people. Members are also initiating Spokesman Clubs, prayer meetings and forming choirs.
"There is always something that needs to be done," said Albert Sousa, sub-regional coordinator for Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, "and our members have a pioneering spirit, many talents and are learning to recognize their spiritual gifts."
The first day of the conference closed with a discussion about the vision for the Spanish-speaking region given by Randal Dick, assistant director of Church Administration International, and Charles Fleming, regional director for the Spanish-speaking areas and the Caribbean.
Mr. Dick and Mr. Fleming, ministers and wives, talked openly about the events of the past year, the present situation, and where the church would be five years from now.
The all-encompassing vision for the region, and for the church, is to develop a passion for Jesus Christ.
This passion, Mr. Dick explained, begins and ends in the heart, and ministers must model to members how that passion affects every aspect of the Christian life--in the family, in the church, in the community, at work and toward government.
"A passion for Christ is an all-consuming devotion," he said. "It is total, surrendered, uninhibited. It will influence our decisions, our thoughts, our opinions and actions every moment of our lives."
When people realize what passion for Jesus Christ means they will order their own lives out of love for their Savior and the need for rules will be minimized.
During the next seven days, ministers and wives listened to topics on New Testament hermeneutics (principles of Bible interpretation), healing and reconciliation, the core competencies of a pastor, mentoring, spiritual gifts and church growth. Tammy Tkach led the wives in a group session.
EQUIPPING MINISTRY--Hector Barrero (left), pastor of the Bogota, Colombia, church, chats with Randal Dick, assistant director of Church Administration International. "The ministry," Mr. Dick said, "must give the congregation clear goals. People need to know what their roles are if they are to succeed." [Photo by Thomas C. Hanson]
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News February 13, 1996 |
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