Table Manners
If for some reason the senior pastor was out of both the church and country ministering and whilst he was out of the country he was prohibited from re-entering the country because of a countries military coup, changing the government, or say he was imprisoned for preaching the gospel and was imprisoned for an unknown length of time, would his church and its leaders know how to function carrying on the work of the ministry? The work and call of any church must stretch beyond that of one man irrespective of how influential or dynamic he is. It is because of this that each and every leader must collectively gather together their best people to ensure that the work of the ministry continues, giving both the devil and the congregation no excuse or reason for distraction that could potentially result in destruction. There is a distinct reason as to why people are trained and developed in leadership and that is for function and accurate function. It is this sole reason that I as the senior pastor of the Dream Centre have put a set of clear rules in order to ensure accurate behaviour is found in the house. If the people's behaviour is accurate in both their function and thinking then, if I am detained for any reason, this will not affect the operations and mandate of the Dream Centre in her vision.
2 Corinthians 8:1-15 What Paul is speaking of here is best summed up in one word “Behaviour”.
This is a scripture that has been on my heart and in my mind now for some time and one that although I don’t have all the clarity on as yet, I do however feel the need to pursue this with a strong sense of urgency. There are two elements of this.
If I am detained: Meaning in my pursuit of my destiny there will be potential things that could distract, destroy or detain me from being here with you. It could be sickness, unforeseen circumstance, anything.
You may know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God. This is where as leaders in the household of God you should become responsible with what has been taught, imparted and modelled, a time where there is no hiding. Paul presupposes that they should already know. Why? Because he has spent time with them labouring, so now he is expecting a certain type of fruit, function and behaviour from them whilst in his absence. In essence he is referring to spiritual people displaying spiritual behaviour.
Every house in the world functions by rules and behaviour. In fact there is no better place to gauge whether a house has rules than to watch how people behave around the dining room table.
Table rules
A description of a church table.
The table is an interchangeable term which relates to either, one, ‘the collective corporate church or body of believers who regularly gather together through any given week', two, ‘the pulpit from which each minister feeds and empowers his corporate household', three, the ‘table where each believer gathers in remembrance of the death and resurrection of Christ through the taking of communion'.
It is the role of each and every leader to help their people to both understand the power and affects of the table within the midst of each congregation. By doing this each leader must raise their people regularly partaking to honour guard and protect the table with their hearts minds and soul.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
You the leader must be a person who knows how to conduct both yourself and others in…
1. Repentance & Forgiveness. You must urge, encourage and practice this.
2. Ensuring that the needs of the people are adequately taken care of albeit with diligence.
3. That the ministry continues beyond the walls of the house as this is the purpose, patterns and mandate of the church found throughout the New Testament.
4. Leaders who are trained, discipled, developed and released.
5. Prayer that affects and continually changes the atmosphere.
6. The house becomes a place for spiritual gifts, servanthood and leadership to be released.
7. The people continue to give and sow as this is their responsibility as corporate members of God's household.
8. That corporate members are encouraged to touch the heavens changing the earth through the times of corporate worship.
The rules and protocol of a well-ordered table 1 Corinthians 14:26
• The table is a place where the family must consistently all gather together at a preset time predetermined by the pastor. (This creates both discipline and focus and necessary order within each member of the house) (Leviticus 8:3)
• The table is a specific place where each family head must be free to communicate to his or her own specific family in their own unique God-gifted way. (This determines both the culture and dynamics built into the house) (Matthew 13:57 & 21:23)
• The table is a place where the food that is served by the pastor is wholeheartedly deemed as being both nutritional and beneficial for the maturing of a well-ordered family. (This will determine both the depth, maturity and destiny of its people) ( Acts 11:26, 20:20, 20:32 1 Corinthians 2:13)
• The table, over a given period of time, will serve a variety of nutritional foods and flavours. It is not, however, a free-for-all buffet table or café, nor is it a quick fry Colonel Sanders Kentucky-fried gospel table. (This clear thinking approach will prevent and safeguard the church from ill-health and unnecessary hyper-activity) (Act2 :42 & Romans 10:8)
• The table is a place where each person claiming to be a family member must take personal individual responsibility for their own conduct whilst gathered at the table. (Spiritual hygiene just like that of physical hygiene is of the utmost importance and, because of this, so must clean hands and a pure heart be in all family members) Acts 6:1-7)
• The table is a place where rules and protocol must be observed, understood and obeyed at all times in order to reverse present and current dysfunctional behavioural trends found at many other existing tables. (This is what makes an individual church both a church with a difference and well-ordered)
• The table is a place whereby though there may be a head chef in the house the setting of the table and other works carried out and around this table must be done by all those eating at the table. Each person must personally undertake a certain and specific work, task or assignment in order for the table to function accurately. (This is what makes a church a fully mobilised Ephesians 4:11 outfit)
• The table is definitely not a place for family members to criticise the hand that feeds them. (This is a place where honour and respect must be shown)
• The table is a place whereby when its members leave they leave both full and grateful. (This displays a heartful attitude of thankfulness and appreciation) (2 Corinthians 12:20 & Ephesians 4:29)
• The table is a place whereby though opportunities for encouragement, teaching and rebuking will often take place, it definitely isn’t however a place for gossip and false rumours to arise. (This is where through a fear of the Lord and love for one another, love itself will protect and cover over all wrong doings) (2 Corinthians 8:1-15)
• The table is a place where as a confessed family member you are expected to financially contribute as this is the house and table that has consistently fed you. (This is where through purpose destiny and heartfelt cause, those financially contributing have not only embraced and connected themselves to the cultu re and primary assignment of the church but have now undertaken personal responsibility for its fulfilment)
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 1 Corinthians 14:26
Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 1 Corinthians 14:6
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