My journey in equipping believers for the work of the ministry. Ephesians 4:11-13 - Part 1

 I grew up in a small town in Northern Michigan and attended a denominational church. I watched how the pastor never asked for help. He would do everything himself. If he was having a meeting he would buy the donuts and make the coffee. If there was a plumbing problem in the church he would fix it himself. He did all the home and hospital visits. He preached all the sermons except for one Sunday a year they called "laymen Sunday." That was when the men could do announcements or lead in reading the scripture for that week. It was no wonder the pastor always looked exhausted!!

The day came when I learned that God's word had a solution for the pastors who were burning themselves out and not equipping the church members to do the work of the ministry!