“The longer something exist the easier it is to Shift from its original intent, meaning, or purpose.”
First shift in the church was to even have deacons. (Acts 6:1-4, NKJV; Acts 6:1, TLB; Acts 6:4, TLB)
- The original intent for deacons was
- To free pastors and leaders up so they could give themselves to prayer, teaching, and preaching.
- To make sure all the widows were not being discriminated against.
- The first shift was all who believed sold their possessions and laid them at the apostle’s feet. (Acts 2:44-46, NKJV; Acts 4:34-35, NKJV)
- The church was feeding and taking care of the widows.
Second shift was when deacons tried to become administrators instead of ministers—they lost the original intent of deacons.
- The people no longer sold their possessions and gave them to the leaders of the church.
- The church was growing so fast it was no longer a group of people in Jerusalem, but a movement all over the world.
- They did not have a church manual—they did not even have a bible.
- What started as a biblical principle in many cases turn out to be unbiblical traditions.
- Pastors and leaders are to be equipping the people to do the work of the ministry. (Ephesians 4:11-12, NKJV)
- The original intent of deacons was to be ministers not
- The Holy Shift was when the church shifted from feeding the widows to allowing the government to take that position.
- The Widows that were to be taken care of. (1 Timothy 5:3-4, NKJV; 1 Timothy 5:3-4, NLT)
Third shift was getting back to biblical principles. (Ephesians 4:11-12, NKJV)
- Pastors are to equip members to do the work of the ministry.
- The reason God’s blessing Journey Church in such a mighty way is because our members are doing the work of the ministry.
Insights to the Holy Shift in the church.
- Healthy churches grow. (Acts 6:1-2, NCV)
- Growth = Change; Change = Loss; Loss = Pain; – Growth = Pain.
- Church growth causes problems. Acts 6:1-2, NCV
- To determine if someone is a concerned or a complainer check the condition of their heart. (Matthew 6:21, NKJV)
- Almost all problems are a result of unmet needs or expectations. (Acts 6:1-2, NCV; Acts 6:3-4, NCV; Acts 6:5, NCV; NKJV)
