Balance in the Church

 

Welcome to Multiply, a podcast to encourage village church planters, pastors, and church leaders! We are Brad & Daneille Snowden and we’re delighted to be with you today. 

The word balance is defined as; “stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side, and to bring into harmony or proportion.”

This is needed both in our personal lives and in the church, a balance of evangelizing the world and building-up in the Word of God. This is taught in the New Village Church Planting Term 4 curriculum, using the illustration of two legs representing evangelism and to build up. Quote: “The two legs must walk together, with good coordination and balance. Evangelizing unbelievers and building up believers should not be separated.”

God’s word simply applies the structural balance of evangelism and discipleship. In Isaiah 6:8 it says, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, whom shall I send and who will go for us? Then I said, here am I, Lord send me.”

As we evangelize, the need to feed and grow is essential to balance out and build a healthy church. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 reads; “You therefore my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And these things, that you have heard from me, among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

The writer of Hebrews talks of running the race that is set before us. I ran marathons, and to finish and do well; I had to run smoothly as to not expel too much energy on unnecessary movements. My body had to work as a well-balanced machine, in order to function properly. The balance of the workings of the church, needs to be able to run the race successfully until Christ returns. 

I am picturing a one-legged person trying to run, even with an artificial leg this person would have a limp, making it difficult to balance well. The church cannot run this race set before us; accordingly, unless both elements function continually in harmony. 

As church leaders we need to be focused on the harmony between evangelization and the building up of the believers with God’s Word.  

This has been Multiply; will you share this podcast with others? And visit us on our website: vcpencouragement.org, and also on Facebook and YouTube.

Thank you and God bless!