Shared power

"I've got the power."

That's what my VBS shirt says. Right there on the left side of my chest, white letters on a fluorescent green.

that But...before I get a big head, and begin to build my kingdom...I look around and acknowledge all of our VBS shirts say the same thing. They all say, "I've got the power." Ok. Now I'm confused. Who has the power? We all do.

God's design for the church is for us to share power, God's power, and use that power to love and serve each other.

We don't insist on our own way, boast, keep records of wrongs, delight in evil, or fly off the handle. Instead we humbly share power through kindness, humility, patience, and forgiveness (1 Corinthians 13).

It's not simply that the pastor(s), a group of leaders, a single leader, a long time member, or the most vocal, or most influential who hold power. That's not the way God's designed the church.

The Spirit in all its fullness comes to each one of us in baptism. God breathes on all of us equally.

Who's in charge?

While we share the power, we must recognize the source of our power is Jesus Christ. Before his ascension Jesus said to the disciples, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples..." (Matthew 28:18) Jesus, who holds power over us, commands us to go. We go and advance God's kingdom with boldness and graciousness.

Remember, we're all in this together.

Mike