The Family Business
- zachsloane1982
- Feb 25
- 9 min read
Equipping Session - “Family Business”
Stoughton Apostolic Church
Feb. 24, 2025
Family Business
We are the family of God, He is our Father and we are all his children.
1 John 3:1 (AKJV) — Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Galatians 6:10 (AKJV) — As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
As his family members we have been brought into the family business.
Luke 2:49 (AKJV) — And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
John 20:21 (AKJV) — Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
We are his body, a living organism constituted of the people of God in whom the Spirit of God dwells. Before we are anything else, first and foremost we are the people of God, His living body, those that he dwells in.
God has an eternal purpose we are to engage!
Ephesians 3:9-11 (AKJV) — and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
This church is integral to God’s eternal purpose and plan, and plays the central role of being the vessel or instrument through which God is made known, and through which He will administrate his kingdom purposes throughout all of eternity.
God’s vessel to do this work is the Body of Christ, members individually, but also as a corporate expression of the One Man, Christ. We do not all have the same function. He has established certain offices and roles in his church, not just given certain gifts.
Must see that God’s purpose and glory is to be revealed and carried out via His body, Christ in His people, not systems, structures, and programs. We cannot build something and ask him to fill it. He is building something he intends to fill: His church.
People not systems, structures, man made programs!
1 Chronicles 15:15 (AKJV) — And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the Lord.
His glory is carried on the shoulders of the priesthood, not on the boards, wheels, carts, of human flesh, organization, or effort.
1 Chronicles 13:7, 9-10 (AKJV) — And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart… 9 And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. 10 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.
We are the priesthood now. All believers are to carry the hope of glory!
1 Peter 2:9 (AKJV) — But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Church Offices or Roles: (People, but we have different functions and roles)
There is shape, roles, and functions within this body that are indispensable to its health and proper functioning.
Apostolic and Prophetic - These set foundations, put things in order, establish the right message, raise up, release, and equip the right ministries, and bring the One Voice, and One Rule of Christ into the church ( Eph. 2:20-22, 1 Cor. 12:28, 1 Cor. 3:10, Eph. 3:5).
Ascension Ministry of Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Evangelists, Pastors — (Eph. 4:11-16, 1 Cor. 12:28, Eph. 2:20-22) These are for the equipping of the saints for the knowing of the Lord, growing in his image, and doing His ministry.
Elders — ( 1 Peter 5:1-4, 1 Tim. 3:1-7, Acts 20:28, Titus 1:5-9) These provide oversight over the spiritual affairs of the church. Not all are teaching elders, but the elder team is usually led by one who is an Ascension gift minister, most usually a Pastor, who sits as an elder and leader of the elder team in a church, or over a defined spiritual organization, gathering, or group.
Deacons — (Acts 6:1-6, 1 Timothy 3:8-13) These are set apart and chosen by God’s people, recognized and released to look after the physical affairs and needs of the church and God’s people.
Functioning Parameters of these offices:
There are parameters around the exercising of these roles in the church:
These offices are meant to be occupied by those known by us. These people need to be accessible, known, and accessible for interaction. ( 1 Thess. 5:12).
They must be recognized by the church and the people they serve. (Acts 13:2, Galatians 2:7-10)
They must be set in place by the appropriate authority:
Christ himself gifts Ascension ministry but it is still recognized and set apart by the church leaders (Acts 13:1-2, Galatians 2:7-10).
Elders are appointed by the Holy Spirit in partnership with other elders and Ascension gifts leaders, and recognized as such ( Titus 1:5, Acts 20:28, Acts 14:23).
Deacons are chosen by the church and spiritually ordained by its elders ( Acs 6:1-6)
They must first be tested and approved (1 Tim. 3:10).
Their scope of ministry, or area of responsibility is defined and limited by the call of God on your life and the relationships you have. Ministry in these offices is relational in its scope and power, its is defined, and it has boundaries. ( 1 Cor. 9:2, 2 Cor. 10:13)
God builds on and with Christ in and through his people. Although we are all living stones, not all of us are called to occupy the above offices and roles in the church.
There is a lot of freedom in the Bible concerning how the church is to organize and run itself. Each church must be flexible enough to respond to and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, but these above elements are God-given and essential.
The Body…
1 Corinthians 12:22-23 (NASB 1995) — “ On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we [n]deem less honorable, [o]on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable,”
We have fallen into the trap of giving honour to the public parts (public leaders) because that position is not seen as a place of sacrifice and service but for glory and recognition. We don’t see the nobility of our calling in our every day life.
Starts from the Head and His leaders…
Colossians 1:18 (AKJV) — And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
The Lord is the head of his church, and through his leaders he ministers to his people to equip them to know him, walk with him, be like him, and do his works (Eph. 4:11-16).
Conflict happens in churches because we see ministry as what happens in, with, and through the church as an organization and its public leaders, and neglect the ministry we are to walk in to the Lord, to our families, friends, neighbours, and community. When this happens we fight over power, influence, and roles. Politics and factions run the church, and not Christ.
Relationships are vital here!
To equip the church God gave gifts of people, not programs, ideas for groups or projects (Eph. 4:11-16). Discipleship happens via people making disciples, not running people through programs and groups (Matt. 28:19-20). We grow as we receive from Christ in and through one another, not as we do programs and projects together (Eph. 4:15-16).
Groups, ministries, projects, events serve the purpose of relationship building and love, stepping out in faith and serving. They are not replacements for good relationship skills, loving others, and learning to trust Christ in our daily lives.
We must know our boundaries! The Pastor cannot have authority in your home life or your job, and likewise there are things the Lord gives responsibility for to his Pastors, Elders, and Deacons.
Revelation 1:1 (AKJV) — The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
God spoke to John the Apostle about the Churches in Revelation 2-3, who then wrote to the angel of the churches.
Warning, if you are not comfortable with your role for unhealthy reasons, do not take it upon yourself to acquire or gain influence or status in Christ’s church.
Revelation 2:20 (AKJV) — Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess…”
Structures and Policy in the Church…
Great care must go into the making and enforcing of structure and policy in the church as we are to be led by the Spirit not the law or letter.
Systems, structures, and policy are not bad when designed and used to help serve the purposes of God, and are not treated as an end in themselves. They likewise are not the vehicle through God’s purposes are accomplished, that is exclusively by His Spirit.
They reduce confusion in joint ventures as they give a uniform set of expectations, definitions, and set standards we are all accountable to.
They define responsibility, accountability, and empower growth and evaluation.
Church activity and ministry must function within its appropriate boundaries and strictures of accountability. Policy, systems, and structure helps define and enforce this in a safe and objective way.
Structure at SAC…
Deacon board: Legal liability and responsibility, but also spiritual authority to perform scriptural roles of deacon.
Pastor: Employed by board, voted by the people, anointed and empowered by God to spiritually lead and oversee. Vested with certain legal powers that comes with responsibility and liability, as well as spiritual authority from God that carries accountability as well. Also accountable within a team of elders, and to spiritual authority as well. Pastors should have pastors.
Ministry Leaders: Spiritually accountable to spiritual leaders of the church (pastor and elders), legally required to operate within the parameters set by the board as pertaining to legal and natural issues.
Ministries : Sunday services, worship, prayer ministry, groups, Sunday school, and all future ministries, none can operate out of the church independent of the spiritual and nature authority structures in the church, nor can they exist and function as legal or spiritual entities on their own - if under the auspices of SAC.
Elders: Accountable legally and operationally to the board, spiritually within the leadership team and the Pastor.
Examples of Some of the Systems & Structures at SAC…
Plan to Protect Policy
Service Disruption Policy
Volunteer Agreements
Job Descriptions and Requirements
AGM
Constitution
Ministry appointments
Bible is full of definitions and descriptions of policy, job requirements or qualifications, accountability, and definitions of roles. For all responsibility there is accountability to the right person(s).
All of the Body Engaged!
In the Church…
1 Corinthians 12:19-21 (AKJV) — And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
What is your SHAPE?
Spiritual gifts: What do you have or are seeking God to walk in? (Rom. 12:3-8, 1 Cor. 12:7-11_
Heart: What are you passionate about? (Ps. 37:4)
Abilities: What abilities do you have? What would you do if you were not restricted by your ability but were willing to see God do beyond what you can do? ( Ps. 18:32-35)
Personality: Can you stretch yourself, or are you putting a square peg in a round hole?
https://www.humanmetrics.com/personality/test (Myers-Briggs) (Eph. 2:10, Ps. 139)
Experiences: What unique experience do you bring, and what have you experienced of the Lord? (1 John 1:1-4) Write down on one page your testimony!
How can you employ your shape in the church to edify, build up, and serve, remembering that in the church the application of your S.H.A.P.E. is to be done relationally, responsibly, and accountably within the body.
In your World…
Acts 1:8 (AKJV) — But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Each one of us has purpose and calling…
We have all been placed and called with a similar calling, expressed by Christ in each of us. We are all called to be witnesses, and we are all given or sent to:
(a.) Jerusalem — An immediate circle - daily contacts. Family, people we live with, work with, or have more deeper connections with ie. friends and ministry circles.
(b.) Judea — Those in regular contact. Acquaintances, church people, club members, places you choose to go and people you chose to be around.
(c.) Samaria — People in our lives that we maybe either have conflict with don’t spend a lot of time with. Those you maybe wouldn’t choose to spend time with but they are in your circle of life anyway.
(d.) End of the Earth. — People that are beyond your regular sphere of interactions. Includes your online life, family and friends far away, people you bump into at Costco in Regina etc…
Define our areas of responsibility. Name some names. What is one thing you can do for each sphere to witness about Christ (saved and unsaved people in each sphere).
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