The Duty Entrusted as One Found Faithful
There are many types of positions and responsibilities in this world. Some are given by society, others are found in the home. But the office entrusted by God within His church is fundamentally different. It is not for human authority or recognition, but a calling of mission and service.
The Apostle Paul testifies in 1 Timothy 1:12 that Christ considered him faithful and placed him into service. This reminds us that the office is not something we attain by desire or ambition, but a grace entrusted when God deems us faithful.
As we reflect today, whether or not you are one of those being installed, remember this truth: God is calling you to be His workers. May you answer His call, commit, and serve Him with joy.
1. What is an Office (职分)?
Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:12: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.”
The word “service” here comes from the Greek ‘diakonia’, which means ministry, duty, and serving. In Numbers 3:7, the same word is used for the Levites who performed duties at the tabernacle. Thus, office is both a responsibility entrusted and an act of humble service.
To serve means lowering oneself, regarding others as greater, and putting others’ needs above one’s own. A story illustrates this: a Korean elder, who was a big company’s president overseeing 300 employees, received the office of elder and chose to serve as a church parking attendant.
At work, everyone obeyed his word; in the church, newcomers sometimes ignored or insulted him. At first, he was offended, but later he confessed that through this role he learned humility—coming to church as the lowest, setting aside his worldly authority, and serving joyfully.
Beloved, likewise, in church, we shall leave behind the titles and authority of workplace or home and be the lowest in the church as Jesus Himself walked this path. Mark 10:45 declares: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
To explain: if someone falls into a pit, we could lower a rope or ladder. But if he panics and cannot climb, someone must descend, carry him on their shoulders, and lift him out. That is what Christ did on the cross—He descended to the lowest place to raise us up. That is true service.
Therefore, let us also take on this attitude: not to command but to listen; not to assign tasks but to do them; not to arrive last but to prepare first; not to leave first but to ensure all is cared for. When we serve this way, our Father God is pleased.
2. The Purpose of Appointing Office-Bearers
(1) To equip the saints
In Ephesians 4:11–12, Paul writes: “He gave some as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.”
The phrase “equipping of the saints” comes from the word ‘katartismos’, meaning to repair, restore, and bring to completion. The role of office-bearers is to nurture believers—sometimes with the Word, sometimes through love, prayer, or exhortation—so that they may grow into maturity and reflect Christ’s fullness. Equipping is more than correcting mistakes; it is preparing and training saints for spiritual maturity.
(2) To lead into the work of service
The same passage continues: “for the work of service.” This means the purpose of equipping is to guide saints into actual service. Office-bearers must help believers not remain passive but step into active ministry.
Sometimes, we think faithfully fulfilling only our assigned office is enough. While that is commendable, God also calls us to serve beyond ourselves, encouraging the entire church into shared responsibility. For example, if cleaning the church, one person alone cannot accomplish it. Together, led into service, the church truly becomes whole.
(3) To build up the body of Christ
Finally, Paul says all this is “to the building up of the body of Christ.” The goal is not personal success but the strengthening of the church. If saints are unequipped, the church is weak. If no one serves, it is not truly a church. But when office-bearers equip, guide, and build, the church becomes a living body reflecting Christ.
Today, even as four individuals are formally set apart, the calling extends to all. God is calling each of you to participate in building up His church.
Conclusion:
Let Us Be a Working Church
Our founding pastor lowered the age requirements for office-bearers—elders at 35, ordained deacons at 30, and deaconesses at 40—much earlier than in most churches. This was intentional: to raise up younger workers for God.
Why? Because ultimately, it is God who appoints.
As written in 1 Corinthians 12:28: “God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and various kinds of tongues.”
Therefore, beloved saints, God Himself is appointing new office-bearers today. It is His command for our church to rise up and work.
So let us all be working saints. Let us not only hold titles but actively serve. Let us be working office-bearers, working children of God, and become a working church that pleases the Father.
I bless you all in the name of the Lord that TLCC may shine as a church fully committed to His service.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 