Church boards, committees, and ministry teams can do a lot of good but they can also be a breeding ground for trouble. Various personalities and backgrounds come together with different perspectives, opinions, and ambitions. God intends to bring unity out of diversity but our own sinful nature and the devil don’t see it that way. To combat the divisive potential in these kinds of groups, we need to maintain a spiritual alertness.
We must acknowledge that our real “struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12). With this acknowledgement comes intentional efforts to stay spiritually alert.
How Spiritual Alertness Manifests Itself in Boards and Ministry Teams
If we’re going to consciously do what it takes to stay alert, we must initially acknowledge the potential for enemy interference. — “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Pet. 5:8)
Aware of the potential for enemy interference, we do what it takes to avert Satan’s schemes. We pull on God’s powerful resources.
- When spiritually alert, we make prayer a priority for our boards, committees, or ministry teams. We acknowledge our need for God’s wisdom and power to rise above.
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. (1 Pet. 4:7)
- Boards and ministry teams rely on God’s grace when they’re spiritually alert. They recognize their own ineptness to deal with the challenges apart from God. And, they extend grace to one another.
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. (1 Pet. 1:13)
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Pet. 5:9-10)
- The hearts of those who are spiritually alert cling to faith, hope, and love, wearing it as armor. They know Satan likes to piggyback on selfish motivations and ambitions, discouragement, and relational discord.
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. (1 Thess. 5:6-8)
Also Read: Church’s Power: Spiritual Weaponry
For More: Resources on Divine Weapons for Spiritual Warfare
All Posts about Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams:
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- Healthy Church Boards Exercise Body Life
- Agendas Versus Relationships
- Contributing in Committees, Boards, Ministry Teams
- Differences of Opinion Don’t Have to Divide
- Division of Responsibilities
- Boards, Committees & Ministry Teams Need Focus
- Boards, Committees & Ministry Teams Need Accountability
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Purposeful
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Servant-Oriented
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Team-Oriented
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Upward-Focused
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Process-Oriented
- Effective Church Committees or Ministry Teams
- Understanding Needed about Team Members Contributing
- Christ-like Boards & Committees Possible Due to the Gospel
- Christ-like Boards & Committees Because of the Holy Spirit
- Pulling on Spiritual Gifts of Board, Committee, Team Members?
- Spiritual Gifts of a Board or Committee Chairperson
- Christ-like Boards & Committees a Result of Grace
- Coming Together Because of the Name of the Lord
- Christ-like Boards & Committees Keep His Word Central
- Overcoming Power for Church Boards and Committees
- Spiritual Alertness Needed in Boards and Ministry Teams
- Praying for Unity on Boards and Committees
- Leader Qualities that Promote Peace on Boards and Teams