Sep 22, 2017
by Rob Appel
Executive Director
“Each one should use whatever gift he
has received to serve others, faithfully
administering God’s grace in its various
forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10
When we think about the Great Commission, many of us feel overwhelmed. We might think to ourselves, “What can I do?” Do you ever feel like that — like giving up; like quitting before you even get started?
Maybe a better question than, “What can I do?” would be, “What can WE do?”
“We work together as partners who belong to God.”
—1 Corinthians 3:9a
God created each of us for a purpose. God gifted us with certain abilities, unique to us alone. And we can, and should, use these gifts for the building up of the Body of Christ. God is all sufficient and He doesn’t need us for His fulfillment— but God does want us to become His partner in ministry! God gives gifts to all Christ followers. God does not measure our success in life by our titles or positions or accomplishments, but by how well we use the gifts He has gifted us with.
We need to give permission and encouragement to people so they use their God given gifts in ministry.
Whatever your gift is, don’t bury it. Jesus told the parable of the talents to illustrate the importance of using what God has given you. In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus told about a Master giving three of his servants money to invest for him while he was gone on a trip. He gave one servant five talents, the second two talents, and the third one talent. The servant with five talents doubled the money, the servant with two talents doubled the money, but the third dug a hole in the ground and buried his talent. When the master returned he praised the five-talent and two-talent servants for being good and faithful. The one-talent servant who buried his talent was condemned as being lazy and gave his one talent to the servant who had doubled his five talents to ten.
As Christ followers we each have a choice to make. We either choose to live a mediocre below-average life or choose to live an extraordinary life using whatever spiritual gifts God has given us to use in advancing the cause of Christ.
This is where your talents, your gifts could be used in the Kingdom Work through Seventh Day Baptists. Can we ask you to let us know where you feel called to a ministry? We would love to talk with you about how we can help you use your gifts. Here are some partnership opportunities:
1. Christian Education & History
a. SDBU – Education for Pastors and Leaders
b. Seminary Students – Education costs
c. Being a Helping Hand writer/supporter
d. Being a financial supporter of the Centennial Fund
2. Church Development
a. Church Planting – Are you willing to relocate? Help financially?
b. Church Revitalization – Has your Church checked its PULSE lately?
3. Pastoral Services
a. COSAR — Pastors’ financial needs
b. Pastors’ Wellness – Pastors’ physical needs
4. Missions
a. Support of a Missions Team – Teams raise their own funds for the trips.
b. Going on a Mission – Are you called to go?
5. Communications
a. Support of the Sabbath Recorder — The “free” magazine does come with a cost.
b. Support of Tracts — Spanish tracts are needed!
c. Technical Support for the Director — Do you have skills in this area?
6. Women’s Ministry
a. SCSC — host church; student; leadership training;
or financial support.
7. Leaving a Legacy Gift
a. Give through your will or bequest to the SDB
Memorial Fund.