Within the Church are those whom God has called and equipped to specifically serve the Body of Christ. These include pastors/elders, deacons, teachers, and other servants (such as ministry leaders, committee members, and various volunteers). Unfortunately, the Church has often fallen into one of two extremes regarding these individuals: on one hand, they elevate them to such a high pedestal that when the servant fails, the Church is crushed; on the other, they chew them up and spit them out, leaving people who are hurt and unsure about serving as God has called them. Paul showed the Thessalonians how they were to treat those whom God had put into these positions within the local church, focusing on respect, esteem, and peace. We invite you to join us as we study 1 Thess. 5:12-13 and consider our “Gospel Duty to Those Who Serve.”
