Archive for Category: servanthood
the ministry of moneychanging and merchandising
Posted by D Anderson in church, house church, money, servanthood, theology on January 30th, 2008
The Temple moneychangers and merchandisers, more than anyone else on record, angered our humble Saviour. They and everyone else, no doubt, saw their “ministry” as a very useful one. Jews from all over the world visited the Temple and inevitably there were currency exchange issues which frequently emerged.
Likewise, those selling the sacrificial animals offered a very real service in the eyes of most. Otherwise, they would have been removed prior to Jesus.
What did our Lord detect in their harmless looking “ministries” which enraged him so?
What if they had rendered their services on a voluntary, non-profit basis?
What can we learn from this holy outburst of righteous anger?
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” John 2:13-16
William Wilberforce and “the ministry”
Posted by D Anderson in christianity, church, house church, ministry, servanthood on January 30th, 2008
He was in his twenties when converted to Christianity and felt led to enter “the ministry.” John Newton, his song-writing friend, forbad such a course and encourgaged him to remain in politics where he eventually had huge influence with regards to the abolishment of slavery and – of all things – the encouragement of good manners.
‘Minister’ is the same word ascribed to government officials by Paul in the book of Romans, by the way. The abolition of slavery – I’d call that a ministry.
Anyone seen the recent movie about William Wilberforce?
Civic groups do – why not the churches?
Posted by D Anderson in church, ecclesiology, house church, servanthood on July 27th, 2007
Most towns have welcoming signs at the “city gates” posted by civic groups such as Ruritan, Lions, Optimists, or Kawanis. Most of these groups are into service of some sort and that of a voluntary nature.
Many think that without a paid pastor, a local church will fall apart yet these civic clubs do not have paid leaders and they keep on going from one generation to the next. Some even have local chapters in the schools.
The Boy Scouts of America is another example of how community organizations without professional leaders can have local impact. The troop which my sons are a part of often has half a dozen parent-leaders show up.
Oh, and did I mention that, as a rule, these groups do not see a building as essential to their existence or services?
Wondering as I wander…
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