Reach, Throw, and Go

Derry Prenkert, fellow Christian blogger and Youth Minister at Nappanee Missionary Church, has been posting a lot of news of the aftermath of last week's tornado that tore through Nappanee, Indiana. As I read his blog, I am reminded of the many opportunities all around us for the kind of "works of service" to which we are called and about which I wrote in yesterday's post. There are things we can all do, and the formula reminds me of the easy-to-remember chant for water rescue: Reach, Throw, Go.

First of all, reach out to those affected in prayer. This is the simplest response, but often the most overlooked. If this step is omitted, all other plans fail. Even a rescue vessel can run over a drowning victim if no one reaches out. One glance at NMC's website, and you will see that is a church congregation on the verge of big things. No wonder they are under attack! It is the Body of Christ's job to be covering them in prayer while they go through this time of trial. "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:16)

Second, (throw) send what you can: encouragement, money, materials. Sometimes, a sinking swimmer could use a lifeline. Toss something to them that will help them to help themselves. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galations 6:10) Encouragement fuels the weary soul. Share it when you can. Money makes the world a little smaller and recovery a little faster. We all know folks need it, and few will ask for it. Throw some when you can. In disasters such as these, I know from experience that materials are necessary, but often sent without forethought. Meaning well is admirable, but doing well is helpful. Find out what is needed before you dump all your unwanted items into Indiana. Most recovery projects require a certain type of lumber or a certain uniformity of whatever product is being used. Cash is almost always better. Besides, it costs less to transport your check than a truckload of the wrong size lumber.

Third, go if you are able. This is the point at which you realize you have done all you can without getting wet, and it's still not working. It's time to dive in. The Christian attitude of rescue should be one that does as much to save another as it would to save itself. "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. " (Philipians 2:4) This requires preparation and insight. When Hurricane Katrina sent evacuees our way, I had to tell a lot of volunteers they were not needed because they just showed up without a plan. Contact somebody while you are reaching and throwing, and ask if going is appropriate. In some cases it is. I don't know if this is one of those cases. If you are able, find out. This step also has the greatest risk attached. That is why it is used as a last resort in water rescue. When we reach out by extending our prayers we risk nothing. When we dive in, we present ourselves as a sacrifice to the ministry we undertake. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

This is the formula for all ministry: REACH, THROW, GO. See how you can apply it to Nappanee Missionary Church, then in your neighborhood, then in your world.

The SIX Ministry Gifts

Ephesians 4:11-16

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

How often have we heard of the "five-fold ministry gifts": apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers? I was just reading this to prepare for a Bible study when I realized that there are six ministry gifts, not five. The one that always gets omitted is "God's people" prepared for works of service. It is only with this sixth ministerial appointment that the Church can grow and build itself up in love. It is only as that part does its work that the Church has any meaning at all!

Apostles were (or are, depending on how loosely you apply that title) designated by God to lay the foundations of God's global Church. Prophets, likewise, are those empowered by God to bring the Word of God to the Church. Evangelists are tasked with spreading the Gospel. Pastors shepherd (lead, guide, direct and oversee) the local flocks of the Church. Teachers are those entrusted to instruct the Church in the ways and will of God. If ministry to and for the Church were all there was, the Body of Christ would still be entombed, cut off from the people He came to serve. Jesus demonstrated that His love was for the whole world, and He instructed us all, as witnesses of that love, to share it in "works of service."

• "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)


• "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galations 6:9)


• "…Serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself ."" (Galations 5:13-14)

I will always consider the greatest tragedy of Jesus Christ's global Church is that it divides itself on the basis of the gifts of God. One says, "Because I am not a minister as you define it, I am not a part of your group," another says, "Because I refuse to believe that your ministry gift exists today, I cannot include you in my group." The voice that seems most prevalent of all is the Christian who has been muted by idleness. It is the voice that says, "Because I am not an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher, I am just an attendee." There is not one member of Jesus Christ's global Church who is not called to the ministry of others. What is the point of building a foundation, speaking the Word of God, recruiting members, organizing the group, and teaching them, just to watch the Body of Christ sit on its hands? It is the group defined as "God's People" who will do the lion's share of ministry. It is the job of the previous five to equip them and then jump in and participate in the efforts of the Church…"until we reach unity!"

The work is not done until it passes inspection. "Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (v. 13) our work is not done. The foundations have been laid, and the ministries are active, but the Body has not yet grown into the Head. The work is not yet complete. We have not reached unity. Oh, that God's will for His Church would be fulfilled! "From him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (v. 16)