Ministry is often perceived to be for “ministers” only — for pastors. Individuals in the church might “help” or “serve,” but real ministry is for the paid “professionals,” the thinking goes. Yet as Ephesians 4 demonstrates, ministry is for everyone.
At GBC, one of the core values that we affirm and encourage is “every member ministry.” Yet, that may not be explicit enough. The truth is not only that every member is equipped and enabled by the gift(s) of the Holy Spirit to minister, but that every member must minister for the body to function rightly.
And here again is a most remarkable reality: imperfect believers — individuals who have been redeemed by Christ but still have daily battles with their flesh — are involved in the process of helping other imperfect believers become more sanctified (perfected or complete) in Christ. In other words, two imperfect people cultivate a relationship together whereby they both become more like Christ. This is how the church body works!
God uses “ordinary” people to accomplish His purposes. And it has always been this way:
All through history God has chosen and used nobodies, because their unusual dependence on Him made possible the unique display of His power and grace. He chose and used somebodies only when they renounced dependence on their natural abilities and resources. [Oswald Chambers]
God chooses to use ordinary people to serve Him! He chooses them so there will be no mistake where the power comes from and so human boasting will be excluded. [Kent Hughes]
So no believer has an excuse not to minister — God has called each one to minister, gifted each one to minister, equipped and empowered each one to minister, and given each one a place in His one body as a context for ministry to take place.
Words of Grace 