Why pastors shouldn't work...

Yesterday I read a passage in the Bible that made me realize that I have been thinking a little bit backwards.

I grew up assuming that the holiest or most Godly work was reserved for the religious leaders like pastors and preachers. After all, they were the ones up on stage every week talking about how to follow God. Many of us who grew up in the church have similar thoughts to this. 

But that Bible passage I read says that God has called the pastors and preachers to equip "the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" Ephesians 4:12. According to this verse, pastors and preachers aren't supposed to be doing all the work of the church...they are supposed to be equipping regular everyday Christians like you and me so that we can do the work.

Has your church been equipping you to do the work to build up the body of Christ? And if so, have you been doing it? If nothing comes to mind, what does that say about your church...or you?

What gifts, tools, talents, and skills has God given you that you can use in your everyday life to build up the body of Christ?

Please leave a comment explaining one way you can do this; perhaps your comment is one baby step you can take to help build up the body of Christ.

 Image courtesy of worradmu at FreeDigitalPhotos.net