Life-on-Life Ministry

by Larry Wood, Michigan Area Rep and pastor of Emmanuel-Bethel Church in Royal Oak, Michigan

Last week Michigan pastors and wives gathered for a little life-on-life experience. Life-on-life is a phrase used to describe how we believe we ought to do discipleship. We are called to live our lives in community. One aspect of discipleship is sharing what God is doing in our experience. We invited Larry Stroble, Senior Pastor of Mt. Zion Church in Beavercreek, Ohio to share how intentional intercessory prayer has unlocked the Holy Spirit’s work in Beavercreek. Mt. Zion has developed an ongoing process to utilize spiritual gifts within the fellowship. Intercessory prayer was the first and broadest gift developed. Being intentional and faithful in seeking God’s will has resulted in an awesome demonstration of God’s grace. It has required the congregation to commit to purposefulness in identifying and authorizing spiritual gifts, rigorous training, and trusting God to implement. The result is exciting and satisfying as God’s love is lavished upon his people. God’s people are being equipped to minister effectively, the church is touching the community for Christ and an excitement about the Holy Spirit’s leadership is pervasive throughout the church.

Mt. Zion’s intercessors pray fervently, faithfully and constantly. They pray for all the burdens God lays on their hearts, all the needs of the ministry and all opportunities set before them. They pray specifically and pointedly. One example of the specificity is in asking God for the dollar amounts needed for his work. The prayer is not just “Lord, please provide,” but “Lord, we need 10,000 dollars this week to complete the work you’ve called us to complete. Another example of this directness is that every staff meeting, board meeting and worship service is conducted under the umbrella of present prayer.

Intercession was the first step in Mt. Zion’s journey to unleash the Holy Spirit in their midst. Building on the prayer foundation the church intentionally releases its members to exercise their spiritual gifts. The plan is straightforward: allow the Holy Spirit to identify the gifts within the fellowship; then train God’s people to exercise the gifts appropriately for God’s purpose; then authorize and release for ministry. The consequence will be amazement at God’s results.

Larry and Lynne Stroble blessed us with a great history of God’s using this plan for his purpose. However what was taught was already being utilized in many ways by those in attendance. Jeff Meyers and his leadership team from First Union Church, Cedarville did an outstanding job of envisioning and creating the event. The staff and hospitality of Cedar Campus (InterVarsity Christian Fellowship’s training center in Cedarville) were a delight to experience. Sherri and David Balicki and Rose used gifts of administration and hospitality to provide essential nutrients for all in attendance.

Most significantly, each participant brought their unique gifts of grace to the table and shared with all of us. Some came to the event tired and discouraged, others energized and expectantly, and still others uncertain and seeking; but all found a moment of grace because God blessed his daughters and sons. The effort we made to draw near to God and each other was richly rewarded. Three days away from “work” seems like a great price to pay, but God blesses abundantly those who are intentional in waiting upon him. Ministering to each other was a real privilege. The photograph is a truly unique contribution, David Youngs is Associate Pastor of the Otsego Congregational Church, and he led us in song with his saw.

We teach about prayer, we talk about prayer and we give lip service to its essential place in the Christian life and the life of Christ’s church, but we don’t really organize to unleash its full blessing. Mt. Zion has a plan and track record for accomplishing this in a wonderful way.  Psalm 127:1 (ESV) Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain…. One of the benefits of release is that it enables God’s gifted servants to become “co-laborers.” (Thank you, Ed Stetzer.)