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Christ’s Congregation partners with several other ministries, domestic and overseas:
· Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). A Worldwide Christian Television Network
· Gospel For Asia, Bringing Christianity to
· Open Doors. Focuses on Serving persecuted Christians worldwide
· Luis Palau Association. Focuses on witnessing to the youth of the world.
· Plain Truth Ministries. Breaking the grip of legalistic religion that binds and damages many. Also has a mission in
· Benny Hinn Ministries. A worldwide healing ministry.
· Jack Hayford Ministries. Serving Pastors to better serve their local congregations.
How The Clergy Arose
During the first century, there were no laity/clergy classes. As we have seen, all in the congregation were given various gifts to share in building up the body of Christ. Only if all participated and shared could you have a balanced, healthy congregation. Christ, through the spirit could speak through any of his servants what he wanted the congregation to know and do.
However, two simultaneous things happened during the second century. Many did not follow through in their personal ministries and in listening to the leading of the spirit within them. Leaders arose, some sincerely serving God, who tried to pick up the slack by assuming more authority than their positions warranty. Before long they were usurping even Jesus position in relation to the congregation. Other men were false shepherds who only desired to control over others. Like Adam defaulted to Satan, the congregation defaulted their power and authority to these men. Thus gradually, a clergy developed having all the authority and a laity class with no power or authority.
Over time, this clergy class began to assume titles for themselves in opposition to Jesus expressed will.
(Luke 22:25-30) 25 But he said to them: “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those having authority over them are called Benefactors. 26 YOU, though, are not to be that way. But let him that is the greatest among YOU become as the youngest, and the one acting as chief as the one ministering. 27 For which one is greater, the one reclining at the table or the one ministering? Is it not the one reclining at the table? But I am in YOUR midst as the one ministering. 28 “However, YOU are the ones that have stuck with me in my trials; 29 and I make a covenant with YOU, just as my Father has made a covenant with me, for a kingdom, 30 that YOU may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
Christ is now calling for his people to reassume the power and authority he gave them and fulfill their personal ministry in behalf of the congregation, to edify and build it up until all are mature in Christ.
Every Christian is a full-time minister because he’s a Christian 24 hours a day.
According to the Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms, minister is defined as (Lat. “a servant”) one who serves God. The term is most often used for ordained clergy, though the biblical perspective is inclusive of all whom seek to carry out God’s will.
As to the term, ministry, it states: Ministry (Gr. Diakonia, Lat. Ministerium, “service”. The service to God in Jesus Christ rendered by the church and by individuals through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words says that Acts 6:1-6 provides the primary understanding of diakonia.
Those seven were chosen to temporarily act on behalf of the apostles in carrying out acts of service in behalf of the congregation. They had the spiritual qualifications and wiliness to do so.
(Romans 12:6-8) . . .Since, then, we have gifts differing according to the undeserved kindness given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the faith proportioned [to us]; or a ministry, [let us be] at this ministry; or he that teaches, [let him be] at his teaching; or he that exhorts, [let him be] at his exhortation; he that distributes, [let him do it] with liberality; he that presides, [let him do it] in real earnest; he that shows mercy, [let him do it] with cheerfulness.
Mounce’s goes on to point out that “diakonia is not limited to the specific office of deacon but is the foundation of NT fellowship as believers serve others in the body that are in need.” See (Acts
“This type of ministry edifies the entire church:” See (Ephesians
“Paul uses the word [diakonia] for the whole area of God’s “ministry” in the OT versus that in NT era. Then he uses this same word more narrowly for his own specific work of proclaiming the gospel of reconciliation to Jews and Gentiles.”
It should be noted this term is being used in relation to a government – the Kingdom - and thus is not a religious usage but a governmental usage. Note same in other governments: prime minister, minister of affairs, etc.
(2 Corinthians 5:18-21) But all things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of the reconciliation, namely, that God was by means of Christ reconciling a world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and he committed the word of the reconciliation to us. We are therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us. As substitutes for Christ we beg: “Become reconciled to God.” The one who did not know sin he made to be sin for us, that we might become God’s righteousness by means of him.
The first part of the word diakonia, dia means “through”, and “konis, means “dust”, thus one who is dusty from running in the service of another and applies to both men and women.
AS God’s chief minister (diakonos) Jesus literally walked miles ‘through the dust’ of
Our Ministries
· Teaching Ministry: Teaching all aspects of Kingdom life through, newsletters, books, courses, tapes, videos, podcasts, lectures, blogs, witnessing aids, and other resources.
· Prayer Ministry: Those with a prayer calling make a mighty voice unto the Lord in getting prayers answered for the body.
· Business Ministry: Teaching principles in getting ahead on the job, starting and managing your own business, balancing business and the other areas of your life.
· Health Ministry: Teaching and counseling in the principles of good health.
· Financial Ministry: Teaching about finances and debt management, etc.
· Counseling Ministry: For those who need counseling about any issues in their lives. Let us know your problems, issues and needs.
· Book-of-the Month Club: A book is discussed each month on-line.
· Community Connection: All Christians can connect with others through MyChurch.org, etc. Send us pictures of activities you’re involved in.
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· Humor Ministry: Laughter does the heart good.
Everyone who has expertise or a calling in any of the above is welcome to provide their services in behalf of the body of Christ. They will be blessed for it.
What is the Spirit moving you to share with the congregation today! The Kingdom & Christ’s Congregation appreciates any thing you can contribute.
All scriptures on this page were quoted from the New World Translation by permission.
With Jesus, a new ministry began. He commissioned his followers to make disciples of people of all nations.
Just as the Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his soul a ransom in exchange for many.” Matt. 20:28.
2 Corinthians 3:4-6. "Now through the Christ we have this sort of confidence toward God. Not that we of ourselves are adequately qualified to reckon anything as issuing from ourselves, but our being adequately qualified issues from God, who has indeed adequately qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant, not of a written code, but of spirit; for the written code condemns to death, but the spirit makes alive."
We are all in different stages of growth as Christians. Thus we have different trials and tribulations. Yet Paul says: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these. As to these things I am forewarning YOU, the same way as I did forewarn YOU, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom. On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and desires.If we are living by spirit, let us go on walking orderly also by spirit." Gal. 5:16-24.
Until we get our spiritual legs, it can be a wobbly walk. That’s where a partner comes in. In proportion as each one has received a gift, use it in ministering to one another as fine stewards of God’s undeserved kindness expressed in various ways. ”If anyone speaks, [let him speak] as it were [the] sacred pronouncements of God; if anyone ministers, [let him minister] as dependent on the strength that God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. The glory and the might are his forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11. NW
“Since, then, we have gifts differing according to the undeserved kindness given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the faith proportioned [to us]; or a ministry, [let us be] at this ministry; or he that teaches, [let him be] at his teaching; or he that exhorts, [let him be] at his exhortation; he that distributes, [let him do it] with liberality; he that presides, [let him do it] in real earnest; he that shows mercy, [let him do it] with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8. NW
“I have exhibited to YOU in all things that by thus laboring YOU must assist those who are weak, and must bear in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, when he himself said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.’” Acts
“Really, then, as long as we have time favorable for it, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to [us] in the faith.” Galatians 6:10.NW
“The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.” James 1:27. NW
Hebrews 13:15. "Through him let us always offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name."
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