Q3. Quality Construction

[dixonle]

Posted 21 May 2014 - 08:10 AM

Q3. (1 Corinthians 3:9-13) In terms of building congregations in our day, how would you assess quality vs. slip-shod building materials and methods? How important is improving your ministry skills through training? Prayer? Practice? Diligence? Faithfulness? Doctrinal accuracy? Devotional life? Openness to spiritual gifts? Etc.

 

Each church and each individual Christian within the church is held accountable for quality construction not only of buildings but of souls as well. In fact, Paul stated to the Corinthians that we was skilled, not shoddy, builder who concentrates on the quality of the construction from the inside out…that he was not just a run-of-the-mill builder but a highly skilled contractor.  Likewise today whether constructing buildings or souls, the foundations of such need to be laid in direct relation to faith in the LORD Jesus Christ.

 

In order to maintain those high skills maintained by Paul, we too must remain prayed up and trained up, taking advantage of as many training seminars and Bible studies in order to remain equipped for the work at hand.  Our skills need not be dull but continually sharpened in prayer, diligence, our faith, our knowledge and accuracy of doctrine, as well as remaining involved with our devotional life and being open to the spiritual gifts with which the LORD has blessed us.

[Commissioned]

Q3. (1 Corinthians 3:9-13) In terms of building congregations in our day, how would you assess quality vs. slip-shod building materials and methods? How important is improving your ministry skills through training? Prayer? Practice? Diligence? Faithfulness? Doctrinal accuracy? Devotional life? Openness to spiritual gifts? Etc.

In terms of building congregations in our day, in my opinion the quality of material and methods used is in need of constant testing to see if it holds up to the fire of God.  Our ministry skills should be aligned with proper biblical and ethically training.  Our Christian journey must be one of prayer, fasting, diligence to faithful study and practice of godly living in an attitude of humility.  Our openness to the Holy Spirit working in and through us by the manifestation of spiritual gifts will help us build firm foundations and strong congregations.

[JoanG]

I feel that a congregation needs to be built on love, and the word of God. Their needs to be very positive training. People need to feel that their spiritual growth will be nurtured and cared for. Their gifts and talents will not go to waste. Every person needs to feel needed., cared for and cherished for who they are. they need to have a safe place to grow and they need people to help them grow. We need to stress the true word of God. We cannot become bogged down by lack of understanding. The word of God is not just words, it has to be our guide book. we have to be willing to convert our lives to follow the examples of Christ. At all costs, we have to look to God for the answers. We cannot allow our egos to take over. There must be true faith in God supplying us with all that we will need.

[Irmela]

Q3. (1 Corinthians 3:9-13) In terms of building congregations in our day, how would you assess quality vs. slip-shod building materials and methods? How important is improving your ministry skills through training? Prayer? Practice? Diligence? Faithfulness? Doctrinal accuracy? Devotional life? Openness to spiritual gifts? Etc.

Whoever is in that position, needs to be there, because God has placed him there. No amount of college or varsity learning can replace, what God teaches. 

Building the congregation needs to be on Christ the Foundation. Teaching materials have to be from the Word which He supplied. Not what man has made up. 

2 Tim 2:15 reminds us

Study and be eager to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial) a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing - rightly handling and skilfully teaching - the Word of Truth. 

[Krissi]

Interesting question.

Since I’m somewhat peripheral to the church where I live, now, I fail the test. But, recently I was living in a foreign country where I became active in one of the most vibrant, spiritually healthy churches I have ever attended even though it was in the centre of a very secular city.

One sign of a church’s quality is it's notable difference with the prevailing culture. This is hard to describe, but I felt the cultural difference straightaway. When a church is built correctly from the top down it feels like a spiritual oasis in a parched desert.

While there, I started thinking about how I could contribute, what I could do, who I could serve. I wasn’t prompted or pushed … no committee came to me with a list of things to check (this happened recently). Mine was a true desire to serve. Spontaneous service.  

In retrospect, my desire to serve was consequent to years of bible study and prayer as well as a dogged determination to not give up in spite of truly horrendous circumstances. I do not feel particularly gifted spiritually. I have no idea what God will be calling me to do, at this point. But I’m glad I had the experience of going to a truly God-filled church, one that had been well built – a first.