Back in April of 2023, Art Mealer, a brother in our gathering, shared a video that discussed the “principle of participation” by someone, named Stephen. I Intended to, because I was too spent to compose anything today, share that video again today. However, I searched and searched my archives and could not find it. Finally going through past B.A.S.I.C.S. emails I did find it. However the link was no longer operative. So still no video.
One line that came from it discussing 1st Corinthians 14, as we did in a gathering recently, I thought was very insightful. It briefly outlines the intent of Paul”s exhortation to the church at Corinth. Stephen (sorry no last name for attribution because the video is no longer available. Perhaps Art can fill us in later) shared the instructions intent was to produce:
“Participatory meetings, and orderly spontaneity, with the goal of edification”
The ‘ principle of participation”, (as I now recall) suggested might even be likened to a commandment of the Lord. I share that mindset in so much as I think it incumbent on each of us to come to gatherings, not just to spectate and see if God shows up, and not to just receive. But it is our responsibility to come as stewards of the gifts within us and as stewards/servants of the Holy Spirit in the Lord Jesus. It is our responsibility to gather and come expecting the Holy Spirit to use even me to edify others, to be sensitive to what He is doing and saying in our gathering and minister in like manner.
I repeat here some of what I shared back in ’23 regarding this.
Yes, The Holy Spirit will do whatever He wants done through the likes of you and me. He will not force you to share or do anything but, if you are sensitive, He will draw out of you what is needed for others.
There will be an opportunity to share and pray with one another, and let the LORD minister through us. And, for us to express ourselves in love and worship, praise and thanksgiving, to Him. Come be blessed and edified, and be a blessing and to edify others.
A principle of participation was the norm for the church in Paul’s day. The question in my mind is how did it change, and platform performance to spectators become the norm in our time? It is a deep question. I could oversimplify, with some sense of truth to it, and say it came as saints became insensitive to the Holy Spirit doing the work of ministry through them, and preferred to leave “ministry” to the clergy/hierarchy. There is probably more to it. But, that principle of “trusting” the man of God rather than hearing from God has has been alive in well in God’s people since Moses (Exodus 20:18-20, Deuteronomy 5:5) , and when they requested a King and got Saul instead of God as King (1st Samuel 8:8 and following). It has existed since the garden as men chose knowledge of rule and regulation over life in the intimacy of feeding on He Who is life, in the choice to take from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good And Evil over eating from the Tree of Life.
The principle of participation requires listening to Him and sensitivity to Him in serving others, in and through Him.
The video exhortation mentions “Participatory meetings, and orderly spontaneity, with the goal of edification”
Edification in its simplest definition means to “build up” or to uplift, enlighten, strengthen, encourage, help to improve. It always has a positive effect. However, it does not necessarily always come from a positive word or action.
The point of our participatory gatherings is edification. Every week I send these messages I quote 1 Corinthians 14: 26
[1Corinthians 14:26 NASB95] 26 What is [the outcome] then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
Note the participatory nature of Paul’s instruction. WHEN YOU ASSEMBLE (plural -come together, convene, cohabit, associate with), EACH ONE HAS (every one, any one, each/every man woman) has something to offer or bring. Let it be done to build up the whole assembly and each other.
[1Corinthians 14:12 NASB95] 12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts,] seek to abound for the edification of the church.
In context, in these two verses the apostle was dealing with the expression of tongues and prophecy in the church at Corinth. But, he makes it clear that no matter the gift, the outcome and goal is to be edification of the church as a whole and each member. To do this requires a sensitivity to the Spirit, and developing both the willingness to be used by Him, and the control of our self-will to be submitted to Him.
A community of servants functioning under the Lordship of Jesus administered by the Holy Spirit in residence in each of us. Orderly spontaneity given to edification.
Recently I hear and read a lot about what God is doing in the church today. Many point to Apostles and Prophets, in particular, and other four/five fold ministry gifts. I believe in these gifts (what I have referred to in the past as Ephesian 4:11 “ministry gifts”) to the church. Their scriptural purpose is to equip saints for the work of ministry (edification?). Their purpose is not to call attention to themselves or simply stir people up about the latest and greatest “move”.
All too often in 50 years in the faith I have witnessed platform ministry stirring people up, but not changing nor edifying them. And very often simply lifting up a hierarchy of men with supposed “gifts” and “authority”, but not building up the community of servants that is the Body of Christ and equipping them. The result has been a form of Christianity that is a mile wide and inch deep because it calls people to a movement and a moment and not to Jesus. Nor a call to losing yourself and your identity in Him and to a more costly discipleship that comes from following Him, not men, into laying your life down for others in love and service under His direction.
I long to see the restoration of all things, and the mighty miracle, in the church/ekklesia. But I don’t see it coming through APEPT directed “movements” or platform ministry, but through saints functioning in as a community of servants in participatory gatherings of orderly spontaneity focussed on edification of saints and reaching the unbelieving and pershing.
Authentic APEPT ministry is primarily one on one, not from the platform, and builds a community of servants in their relationship to Him/Jesus, and in their relationships of loving others in the Body and sharing life with, and in service to, them. And, to relationships of loving those that are perishing without Him, through practical mission and service to them, again, under His direction and Lordship.
I too believe God is moving in our time to do wondrous things in His church. But it “ain’t gonna be” through flashy platform performance, but in a community of servants that move in Him/Jesus with the earmarks of humility and love in the power of the Holy Spirit that reveals the Father and calls attention to Him/Jesus, not themselves, or their ministry or office. Jesus turned the world upside down through a very small community following Him and He is still doing so.
[Romans 15:2 NASB95] 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.
[Ephesians 4:29 NASB95] 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such [a word] as is good for edification according to the need [of the moment,] so that it will give grace to those who hear.