Priorities!

In Acts 6: 2 Peter says (NLT) "We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program." The Message translates: "It wouldn't be right for us to abandon our responsibilities for preaching and teaching the Word of God to help with the care of the poor."

I was called to be a pastor and teacher - I was doing pastoral work long before I was paid to do it. The call to preach and teach came later.

I was never called to be an administrator, or to chair meetings, join committees and referee fights between goats in sheep's clothing.

Yet that seems to be what is expected today. People mock the idea of a message being preached effectively, while spending hours in committee meetings. It seems that people cannot concentrate on a 30 minute message, but they can concentrate in a 2 hour committee meeting.

Is there a clue here as to why the Church has lost its power?

I hear from other ministers that "our ministry" is all about settling disputes and keeping the peace, but I am in agreement with Peter: "It wouldn't be right to abandon our responsibilities for preaching and teaching the Word of God to............"

So, must go back to that book!