As shared in the earlier post, we know the ekklesia to be the Greek word that describes a living, organic expression of the church body. Once we experience the ekklesia, we learn how to activate the same works of Christ to see them reproduced in many expressions within other communities in the marketplace. Ministry gifts function very differently within an ekklesia where relationship serves to form one body. Even as Christ gave Five Gifts to men, no one gift in it’s lone expression has the capacity to create a dwelling place for God among the people. Even in knowing this, those who have led any ministry that subscribes a great part of it’s being to that of team building, knows that it is very difficult to begin a work in the fullness of this expression. Any work that we start is always “a work in progress” where we must recognize where we are in the process of progress.
In such an agreement, a relational Kingdom will manifest itself. Once the carriers of the ministry (the body) becomes built up to hold the glory, the glory that is to be poured out will build the community that surrounds the body. Among those who are called to co-labor with others in Christ for such purposes, we soon learn that the signs and wonders which are to follow, are greatly needed. This is especially so once we begin operating beyond what has been familiar to us in the past.
The formation of the ekklesia returns us to the knowledge of the Garden where the first man, Adam was formed. Within the ekklesia, or the Garden, the individual gift or gifts that we have been activated in now function for the purpose of cross-pollination and team building. What is leavened by the Kingdom becomes multiplied from within until our members mutually share the common ground of faith. This agreement of mutual faith is needed for Christ to demonstrate a new work within a body. The ascension ministries of Christ are only known through a functioning ekklesia. The saints, who are now hidden in Christ, are revealed and released in relationship to a functioning ekklesia, much like what the Priesthood presently functions in.
In a community where the focus of ministry is more on building Elder’s and leadership teams, we commonly see our members relating through ministry that is better identified as “Times and Seasons”. Although a measure of God’s presence will be manifest within this ekklesia, the greater demonstration of ministry will be seen in the personal ministries of our members.
From being called, to being called out, in Mark 16:20 we witness what follows those who “went forth”.
Mark 16:20
King James Version (KJV)
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
From the passage that speaks of Jesus ascending, the Amplified version translates this passage to read:,
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God
20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it).
Synergy - From Water to Wine
We assemble ourselves for the purpose of giving God a dwelling place in the earth among His people. (Emmanuel, God with us) In doing so, God honors us first with a manifestation of His presence. Where God manifests His presence to us, a demonstration of ministry will soon follow in like order.
From generation to generation, God’s written word continues to minister to us today in relevant ways. Once we understand how to assemble ourselves to empower people to carry the presence of God, God Himself will finish the work that He began.
Synergy best describes the experience where ministry changes from water to wine. Suddenly, a substance of the Christ life becomes present that wasn’t with us before.
In Mark 16:20, “the Lord working with them” is translated from the Greek word, synergeo, which means: 1) to work together, help in work, be partner in labour
2) to put forth power together with and thereby to assist
The word, “synergy” (cooperation) comes from the Greek word, synergia and implies, “joint work”. Synergia comes from synergein, which means “work together; help another in work”.
While Webster’s dictionary gives us an accurate meaning, the same word spoken or manifest in relationship with God’s written Word becomes demonstrated in Holy Ghost power. The Holy Spirit brings all of our members on “the same page” in experiential ways.
From this agreement, all ministry begins to relate to a body whose members mutually participate with others regarding a specific work. This work is to be revealed, but the work itself will usually build one or more areas of community that relates to it’s purpose.
Koinonea Fellowship
Acts 2:42 speaks of (Koinonea) fellowship where “they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Here, fellowship implies joint participation, especially in relationship to community.
Love and peace,
Cindy Allen
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