We need leaders at Benoni Baptist Church. God has grown our number. And so there are more people to be discipled. And more people who want to minister. Paul charged Timothy to entrust what he had learned to faithful men who will teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2). From Paul, to Timothy, to faithful men, to others. The baton of the faith is to be passed on from one generation to the next. Over and over again. Practically, how does this happen in the local church?
It is my experience that leadership is more caught than taught. You learn to lead by doing, by serving alongside a mentor. No seminar or textbook can replace formation within the local church.
That is why we give men and women growing platforms for service. In the corporate worship service (Welcome and notices, Worship leading, Scripture reading, Pastoral prayer, Communion, the Sermon). And in small group Bible studies (teaching or hosting). And by shadowing deacon and elder meetings, to learn oversight and governance.
You’ll notice a few new faces in some of these roles. Sibusiso joins Gabriel, leading the Welcome and notices. Adrian, Malcolm, and Newton have joined Dean, reading Scripture. Evans will lead communion on Sunday. Gerhard will preach in August. There are a few new Bible‑study leaders on Wednesdays. Rina sits in deacon meetings. Lance and Gerhard sit in elder meetings. Leon is our new maintenance team lead. And three new folk will start teaching Sunday school, and ten others have been invited to join.
Each step brings new responsibility. Each step grows new gifts. Each step represents the baton being handed down. Will you pray for these servants? Will you encourage them? And will you consider where God might be calling you to step forward next?