Ministry of Helps

SUPPORTIVE MINISTRIES - A support ministry is one who helps, assists, to supply funds to carry on the work or to further a cause.

1) The Helps Ministry
i) 1 Corinthians 12:28
ii) Example - Romans 16:1-2. Phoebe helped Paul.
iii) Romans 16:3. Priscilla and Aquilla.
The Ministry of Helps is a valid ministry set by God in the Church, it is a supportive Ministry involved in serving as servants.
Servant: Means - A voluntary slave or bound to someone.

2) Old Testament Examples
i) Moses- Exodus 17:8-13. Moses, Aaron and Hur.
ii) Moses and the 70 elders Exodus 18:13-27
iii) Elijah and Elisha 1 Kings 19:15-21. Elisha ministered unto Elijah, he did the little jobs and served the prophet of God.
iv) 2 Kings 2:1-15. The end result was that Elisha received from Elijah, the double Anointing because he served and followed his ministry.

3) New Testament Examples
i) Matthew 10:1,5-8. Jesus sent out his twelve disciples to represent him and assist his ministry to minister to people.
ii) Matthew 14:16-22, 15:30-39. Jesus was assertive and delegated responsibility to his disciples to feed the people. Without the Ministry of Helps, the leaders would do all the work and become tired and could even become discouraged and leave the ministry.
iii) Matthew 21:1-7. Jesus needed to have people to help and assist his ministry here on earth and today help is required by those whom God calls to be a supportive ministry.
One of the mistakes that is made with discipleship is that we have focused on trying to release ministry which is vital to church growth, but part of discipleship training is to have them serve those who are training and leading them in the things of God. If there is one area that needs to be addressed is this area of helps.

4) Ministry of Helps in the early Church
i) Acts 6:1-6. As the ministry grew the Leaders were getting involved with the tasks of looking after the physical needs to serve at the tables of the people, which took them away from their calling to Pray, teach and preach the Word of God. Once they appointed seven Deacons to that task, the Word of God spread and many were won to the Lord.
When the ministry is occupied with too many duties that take them away from the importance of the ministry of God's Word, then there will be a decline in the power of God in that Church.
The Ministry has been called to take the spiritual oversight of the Church and needs to remain in this area, that is why the supportive ministry of the Church is so important and necessary.
ii) Philippians 2:19-23. Paul said that Timothy served him in the Gospel, that is he helped Paul with the calling of God on his life to evangelise and establish Churches.

FAITH FOUNDATIONS prepared by Stephen Fisher - www.stephenfisher.org