Responsibilities and Obligations
RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS
AS A DISCIPLE AND FOLLOWER OF CHRIST
Nothing is more critical to the effective operations of a church or ministry than a smooth operating, properly functioning leadership, constituted as a team, with the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit under the management of the Pastor. You will find that the greatest contribution you may be able to make to the success and prosperity of your church or ministry is to live up to your challenge and responsibility as a committed and dedicated member.
This responsibility certainly is a big challenge, and it’s one that is to be entrusted to dedicated and qualified individuals exclusively. This role to serve in any capacity should stimulate you and require an extraordinary level of dedication as a condition of the fulfillment of your responsibility.
It is extremely important that you understand these obligations and challenges clearly, and that you are willing to adhere to them that you may be able to address them scripturally and spiritually.
1. Always submit to the authority of God and his designated leader. Remember, if you ever expect to have authority, you must first learn how to submit to authority.
2. Meet the needs of the Master. Remember, you are serving somebody, some authority or some group. Your position exists simply to serve the Lord first, then the membership or congregation of the church. Your submission is to the supreme authority of God, but your loyalty and duty is to the leadership and the ministry of the church. Your charge should be to properly serve this church and to do your very best in connection with your function as a member in good standings. Remember our mission statement is “To carry on the ministry which Jesus had begun and left for us to continue. We believe the Lord wants his people to be clear about their identity and their missions, to know what God has called them to be and to do. God’s call to the church is a call to unity and Holiness, so that her life will be a persuasive witness to the world.”
3. Support the leadership of your church and ministry. A church or ministry is properly constituted and functions properly when several things take place. First, there must be a proper and effective chain of command and chain of communication, but an important link in the chain that is often overlooked is that of respect. You must support and respect the church, ministry leaders and leadership or you fail in your role as a member. The key is effective communication and not an overbearing, smothering or overwhelming involvement by anyone.
4. Create and respect the authority of your leader. Remember, to whom much is given, much is required. You cannot expect your pastor to shoulder all of the responsibility without equal authority! Always respect your leader and never try to restrict the mission of the pastor.
5. You cannot serve in any leadership capacity if you are robbing God in tithes and offerings. The Bible states that you are cursed with a curse. Not only have you robbed God but also his house, and his people. You must be convinced in knowing how to stay on T.O.P. (Give God his tithe; your church an offering; and sow into your pastor – your spiritual covering). This last and final obligation and challenge shall be upheld with the highest eternal homeland security alert. Remember, your tithe includes your time, your talents, and your resources. With ALL that God gives us – how much do you owe Him?