1 Corinthians 12:12,14

2. Romans 12:4,6a “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, … 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us…” 1 Corinthians 12:21-22 “And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;” 1 Corinthians 12:12,14 “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. … 14 For the body is not one member, but many.” Ephesians 4:15-16 “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 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.”

3. “Public Worship” “… Let all things be done for edification.” 1 Corinthians 14:26 “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Acts 20:7 “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them…” • Commanded not to forsake the assemblies • Hebrews 10:24-25 • Some commands can be kept only in the context of coming together. • Observe the Lord’s Supper – 1 Corinthians 11:20-34 • Lay by in store – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 “But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.” 1 Corinthians 14:40

4. “Public Worship” • “Roles” • Making announcements • Leading singing • Leading prayer • Reading Scriptures • Assisting in the Lord’s Supper • Assisting in the Collection • Offering short exhortations or invitations • Preaching sermons.

5. “Public Worship” • Other roles that expedite the public worship ... • Making sure the roles are filled • Taking attendance • Preparing the communion • Taping the service • Opening the building • Assist in the seating of visitors or directing them to classes

7. Edification • Congregational Bible study classes • Home Bible studies • Monthly or Weekly bulletins.

8. Edification • “Roles” ... • Teach adult classes • Teach children’s classes • Teach special classes • Help produce the church bulletin

9. Edification • As part of the congregation’s follow-up program • Conduct Home Bible Studies with new converts or new members. • Provide child care for those involved in home Bible studies.

10. Edification 1 Timothy 3:8-13 “Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 3:1-7 “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” Philippians 1:1 “Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:” “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” 1 Peter 5:1-2 “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;” • Two most important roles ... • Elders (bishops, pastors) • Acts 20:28 • Deacons • Philippians 1:1

12. 2 Corinthians 11:7-9 “Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.” Evangelism 1 Peter 2:9-10 “But you are a chosen race, A royal priesthood, A holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people OF GOD; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” Mark 16:15,16 “And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Philippians 4:15-16 “You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.” Philippians 1:3-5 “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.” Matthew 28:18-20

13. Evangelism • “Roles” ... • Write letters to visitors • Pay courtesy visit to visitors • Mail or hand out tracts, cards, flyers • Grade Bible correspondence courses • Conduct home Bible studies with prospects

14. Evangelism • “Roles” ... • Invite friends and neighbors to services, or to a home Bible study where someone else will do the teaching. • Assist with baptisms • Provide child care for those involved with home Bible studies • Travel to other parts of the country, or even foreign countries, or support those who do

16. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 “Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.” Acts 4:32-35 “And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.” Acts 11:27-30 “Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.” Benevolence Romans 15:25-26 “but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.” Galatians 6:10 “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” James 1:27 “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” “And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.” Acts 2:44-45

17. Benevolence • “Roles” • Toward the sick and shut-ins • Visit & care for the sick at the hospital • … For the sick at their homes • … For those confined to their homes • Telephone those sick and confined • Provide transportation to doctors, pharmacies, food stores

18. Benevolence • Toward the needy • Prepare clothes • Prepare food • Provide emergency … • Shelter • Child care • Financial assistance • Provide transportation to services, stores

19. Benevolence • “Roles” • Miscellaneous • Prepare meals for the sick, bereaved, new mothers • Provide flowers for special occasions