It is easy to imagine that a healthy church is built when a few capable people work really hard. The sermon is strong. The music is right. The programs run. The plan looks polished. But God’s Word gives us a different picture. Consider Ephesians 4…
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Jesus gives different roles to His church, not so a few people can do all the ministry, but so the whole church can be equipped and built up in love. The goal is not a room full of people applauding a few people on a stage. The goal is ordinary men and women growing stronger in Jesus and learning to care for one another.
That is what we are praying for the Lord to form at North Village Church. Not everybody needs to become an extrovert. Not everybody needs to know the whole Bible or have an answer for every problem, but biblical shepherding starts with small steps of faith in the Lord. Here’s a grid where we are looking to grow:
- Who are you? What is your story?
- Where are you? What is really going on in your life?
- How can I help? Most of the time, it is something small: a text, a prayer, lunch, a conversation, or simply remembering a name.
- Who can you help? Because the care of Jesus multiplies through His people.
We do not want a church by the Domain where every question, need, or opportunity must run through one person, because Jesus is the hero of His church. He cares for us, and then over time He forms us into people through whom He cares for others. Isn’t that wild? We are not just trying to attend a worship service to check off our religious commitment for the week. We are asking the Lord to form in us a people who are known, people are noticed, and people are helped to take another step with Jesus.
Imagine someone walking into a church and sensing, before they know the names or understand every belief, “The Lord is at work in these people. They genuinely care for one another.” It’s already happening in our church in Austin. We’re just asking the Lord to turn up the temperature for His glory!
So this week, ask the Lord: Who is one person I can move toward?
North Village Church
This article was written by Pastor Michael Dennis, Lead Pastor at North Village Church. North Village Church is a non-denominational church in Austin, TX, by the Domain. It was established in 2009 and built around Jesus and Bible teaching. Are you looking for a church in Austin? At North Village Church we put Jesus at the center of our church family. We worship together every Sunday at 10:30am, encourage Christ centered fellowship through groups, and host special events such as Bible studies and Theological Training, to ensure that we are rooted in in God’s Word. We also serve our local community in association with several Austin based organizations.
North Village Church is made up of professionals, married couples, singles, and families who are wanting to experience the life-transforming power of Jesus. If you are a family with children or teens, we can support you with either or both our Kids Ministry and Youth Ministry. Check out our North Village Church calendar highlights.
NVC Online
Unable to attend this Christian Church in Austin? Don’t worry, because, through God’s provision, we have created NVC online, an Online Church streaming a worship service every Sunday from 10:30am Central Time. You can also watch our short, powerful sermons on demand and follow us on Instagram for daily Christ centered content.
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