Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting committed them to the Lord in whom they had put their trust. Acts 14:23
How do you manage your priorities? What is God’s calling for you?
Any appointment into an office in service to the Lord is a serious matter and must be taken seriously. It does not matter whether it is a paid or voluntary position, a temporary or permanent position, whether it is as custodian, usher, deacon, elder, pastor, bishop, choir member, Sunday School aid or teacher, etc. Such appointments may come through the church or ministry, but it must be a calling from God and not just an appointment. It is important for those appointing and those being appointed to sense God’s call before proceeding.
Jesus Christ prayed all night before appointing the 12 apostles. Paul and Barnabas evidently prayed and fasted before and after the appointment of elders for the fledgling churches. No Christian should be on the sideline since we have been given gifts to use in service for the Lord. However, no church or ministry should appoint people simply to fill up positions without the individuals being fully convinced that God is calling them to serve there. When people appoint you, you serve to please people, but when God calls you, you serve to please God.
Lack of fulfillment, joy, and passion in any area of service could be because it is an appointment rather than a calling. How do you manage your priorities? What is God’s calling for you?
Author: Rev. Sunday Bwanhot
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is EMS/SIM Missionary. He serves as Team leader of SIM Culture Connexions; Pastors of ECWA Chicago and ECWA USA DCC Chairman.
