It’s Sunday Again: Preparing for Ministry

What was it like to assemble with the church in the first century? What were the attitudes of the Christians as they came together on the Lord’s Day? What did they talk about? What did they think about? Some of the places of assembly may have been public buildings; more often the church assembled in the homes of members.
Did some came early and spent time together before those with work obligations arrived? (Thus the practice in Corinth to partake of the Supper early and separately before the body was totally assembled.) How did they integrate the Lord’s Supper and the agape feast? How much time did they spend together? Did the early church take note of those who were not present? (The Hebrew writer reflects the awareness that some are not assembling regularly.)
Was it during the Sunday assemblies that the letters from Paul and other missionaries were read? How much did the church at Rome think about and pray about Paul’s ministry (Romans 15:14-33)? Did they consider his ministry as their ministry? How did they fulfill the request of Paul for their prayers? Paul obviously hoped that his plans would become the plans of the Roman church.
As I read the text in Romans 15, it occurs to me that Sunday is a great time to prepare ourselves for the ministry or ministries God will present to us in coming days. As we pray about the doors God is opening and will open, we depend on God’s power for his work and prepare ourselves.

Today I am thinking of several things that the church and each individual Christian can accomplish during the praise and reflection of this day, in the assembly and in the way we use the Lord’s Day.

First, we can use this day to prepare our hearts for service in the kingdom. We can be reminded of the priorities of life and refreshed in spirit.

Second, we can use this day to plan our own kingdom service. We can identify specific actions that we want to do in the coming week; we can plan how we will be involved in God’s eternal plan and purpose.

Third, we can use this day to pray about the ministry and mission work God enables through us. The church assembled corporately can pray about its mission and ministry, and individual Christians can pray about their personal mission and ministry. Both the church and individuals can pray about the work others are accomplishing as colaborers.

Fourth, we can use this day to establish priorities in our ministry. We can identify those things are most important and bring those before God’s throne in special ways.

Fifth, we can use this day to purpose or recommit anew. At times the dream becomes dim, the energy flags, the commitment wavers. This is a good to day to renew faith and hope.

Finally, we use this day to praise God for what he has done for us and in us and through us in the past. We remember the cross, we rejoice in the changes Christ has brought to our lives, and we celebrate how God has used us to his glory.

Sunday is a day to look back, but it is also a day of preparation. The first day of the week–what will the week ahead hold? How will our future be devoted to kingdom things? Sunday is a good day to seek fresh preparations for the ministry God wants to accomplish through us.