5 Smooth Stones

in society and the congregation of the Lord and in a society. One of the greatest examples of how illegitimacy a ff ects relationships, is the greater societal tension which exists in our schools and inner-cities today, in part because of the destruction of the traditional nuclear family. The additional stress placed upon the children and young people a ff ects how they are able to relate peacefully with one another. So it also seems to be with ministry. While ministry simply means “to serve” and serving should be something one is willing to do whenever it is possible or whenever you may be called upon to help. Yet being released into a ministry is quite di ff erent. When someone is gifted and proven in a ministry and recognized and released there is a covering, which is a relational protection that goes along with the gift ministry. When those who may have a gift, but have been released in a fi gurative sense “illegitimately,” most often by releasing themselves, it is noticeable that although the gift may be great, it is often not received into the congregation of the Lord. In most cases it is not even clear if this is a conscious decision on the part of the church. It seems it is a spiritual unction which is there from the Lord as a form of spiritual protection for the congregation. Recall how David was called by God and anointed by Samuel. With this anointing he went back to his regular assigned labors and proved his abilities and anointing. When it came time to stand before the Giant, he had proven himself in other tests, and was ready for the big one with his fi ve smooth stones. He had other tests, and had other commissionings as his calling increased. Likewise in the church today, we need to identify the gifts the Lord has given from on high. We must also allow for proving and testing of the gifts and a time to commission and release them in accordance with the timing of the Lord and the needs of the Church and the harvest fi eld. There are two principles that when applied to ministries, bring balance to one another. The fi rst is the principle of proven faithfulness and approval. Concerning ministry, Jesus taught his disciples that if they could not be faithful with the assignments given to them in another person’s mini stry, that they would not be given their own ministry. This seems to address the illegitimate birthing of ministries and the training and testing of abilities, calling and gifting Luke 16:12 “And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own?” Then there is the other side of the stone, the Church needs to identify and receive the gifts as they are sent by the Lord. We should seek after the gifts He has provided for us and if we cannot, or will not, it is possible that 203