Co-mission[ing]
As we enter into September for some of our Church family it will be the start of University life or working life. I still remember the four times when Ann or I made that trip to a new University to see one of our children into their University accommodation and start their Degree studies.
Why did we go with them? Well, of course, we were concerned that they should be supported in their new stage of life, know that we care for them, and will be there for them if they got into any difficulty. Perhaps they could have done without the tears, but they knew our love and encouragement.
In Scripture
Interestingly, we see something similar in Scripture. Not for a University start, but for sending into new ministry. We see it in Acts 6. The new Deacons were chosen by the congregation, and they were presented to the Elders. We then read (v6) “they presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.“
We see it again in Acts 13 where, while the church in Antioch was worshipping, praying and fasting, God through His Spirit told the leaders to set apart Barnabas and Paul to a new work God was calling them to. We then read (v3) “So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.“
All God’s people
From the Acts 13 passage we have come to associate this sending by the leaders as something that we do when missionaries are sent. But we can see that what the Apostles did in Acts 6 was remarkably similar. In Eph 4, when the gifts God gives to the church are listed, those who are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers – those with particular gifts for the building up of the church so we can reach maturity in Christ – are mentioned along with “each one of us [to whom] grace has been given as Christ apportioned it” ! so that “speaking the truth in love we will grow to maturity in Christ who is the head.” In other words, each one of us plays a part in the building up of the body to maturity. So we should ‘commission’ all who are serving God within the church, and for each of us as we serve God in our homes, families, workplaces, living out Jesus’ Great Commission.
Starting the year
As we start a new ‘Academic Year’ – as many of our ministries restart after the summer break – we recognise that God calls us all to use our gifts to serve Him throughout our life, in the many roles and opportunities He gives. And so we rightly should stop, recall that it is God who has called us, seek His anointing, wisdom, strength and guidance, as we commit one another to the work of the Lord through prayer. And as we do so, we commit ourselves to one another, in prayerful support, as we together serve Him throughout the coming year.