I Corinthains 12 comes to mind when talking about member involvement and should be a “need to read text” for anyone who wants to truly explore this topic.  What also comes to mind is the parable of the talents and the purpose stated in Ephesians 4:11-16 for the giving of elders and evangelists.  God through the apostle Peter said in 1 Peter 2 we are a body of priests a “holy priesthood” (v. 5)  and a “royal priesthood.” (v.9).  It is a priesthood of all believers and all have responsibility to the function of the priesthood.  We all share some things in common such as the need to present our bodies a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2).  However, we all do not share the same talents and through which we can serve.  Keep in mind though we all have something to which to give, we have of some talent or service we can provide.  

In light of Ephesians 4, it is necessary for elders and evangelist to equip every member for ministry.  It is our responsibility to see that every member has an opportunity to provide that which they have and to use their talents in order minister to their brethren.

This is a very different arrangement than that of the ecclesiastical movement.  Rather than having a few involved Christ intended for all to be involved.  We can’t all be involved in the same way but we are all to be involved nonetheless.

Only some have been given to be elders.  We need to keep in mind there are only some who have both the qualification and the ability to serve the church in such a fashion.  Likewise only some are given to be an evangelist.  We need to keep in mind James warning to “let not many of you become teachers.” (James 3:1)  Only some are prepared and properly trained and able to be teachers.  Knowing the much stricter judgment to which we will be place under anyone seeking to teach needs to not take it lightly and truly consider if that is where his talent is.

Of course in the church to which Christ gave His blood to purchase we have men called deacons.  This simply means servant and they are special servants chosen to handle duties to which certain qualifications are necessary.  These might be matters of money or food or some other function.  Men who are qualified and selected to serve should be used where their talents are.  We should not put a man who is best suited for ministering to the youth in charge of ministering to the elderly or widows.  We need to put people in position to use their major talents first and then whatever secondary ability they have.

So we talked about elders, evangelist and deacons but, as we have already stated, not everyone is fit for such a role.  So where does the priesthood of all believers come in?  Keeping in mind the church is an organism more than an organization not everyone can be the eyes, not all can be the hand.  An organization can function with missing parts but an organism is often crippled by missing parts.  The elders, evangelist, deacons make up only a few of the parts.  The church still needs other parts to function effectively and with good health.  It needs those with the ability to teach one on one and not just those who are able to speak publicly.  It needs those who can lead their homes in a strong and spiritual way and not just those who can lead the church home.  The church needs those who have the talent of encouragement, who naturally offer hospitality and those who have been financial blessed and have a heart to give of that blessing.   The church is as strong as its members just as the body is as strong is its members.  We need feet just as much as we need arms.  We need to hear just as much as we need to see.  We need the member on the back row just as much as the one on the front row.  We need to find what our talents are and put them to the use of fulfilling what Christ intended.  And we need to continue to look for ways for all to get involved, be involved and stay involved.