There have been events we have not expected this evening, Father. In faith, we trust that Your hand will be upon them all. Amen.
Acts 6:3-6 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of the most significant events of my life took place on July 11th, 2000, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. That date marked the culmination of many hours of prayer, study, and dedication in pursuing a life committed to ministry. On that day, as my certificate states, I was “set apart and ordained an Elder in the Church of God according to the rules of the Church of the Nazarene”.
One of most humbling – and amazing! – part of that service was kneeling at the altar in the Chapel of Mt. Vernon Nazarene University and having my dad (now a retired elder) and every other elder in attendance that night lay their hands on my back and shoulders or on the elder in front of them. Also, in front of me was General Superintendent, James H. Diehl – who lead the prayer over me, District Superintendent, Jack Archer, and District Secretary, Robert J. Wiens, all elders themselves. I will never forget that experience!
(I continue to be a minister in good standing in the Church of the Nazarene, though I am “on loan” to the United Methodist Church, being that we are sister denominations.)
As we have already seen, the events in Acts chapter 6, speak of seven men who were chosen to minister to the needs the Church felt at that time. My encounter was a continuation of what took place in verse 6. The Life Application Study Bible states,
Spiritual leadership is serious business and must not be taken lightly by the church or its leaders. In the early church, the chosen men were commissioned (by prayer and laying on of hands) by the apostles. Laying hands on someone, an ancient Jewish practice, was a way to set a person apart for special service (see Numbers 27:23; Deuteronomy 34:9 where Moses first laid hands on his “successor” Joshua).
But something I must stress is the fact that God called me to do what I do, but He calls us all. Yes, you might not ever want to step behind a pulpit to speak, but we are all gifted by the Holy Spirit will all kinds of talent and abilities to lift up the Church. God uses us all.
A few years ago, my one church regularly listed in their service bulletin the Servant Leaders for that day. The very first header was Ministers and after that, you didn’t see my name but what was there was the word Congregation. Each of us is in a particular place in life where God can use us to impact the world for Him. We are in unique places of opportunity and if we don’t step up to the cause…who will?
Lord Jesus, lay your hands upon us. Set us apart for service to You. Amen.
Feb 17th, 2022, Thurs, 7:35 pm
