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NASB | Mark 9:35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 9:35 Sitting down [to teach], He called the twelve [disciples] and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all [in importance] and a servant of all." |
Subject: How to sharpen service skills? |
Bible Note: Dear Charis, You have certainly chosen a thorny subject and a problem that is universal, varying in degree and particular circumstances with every congregation I suspect. I think you also place it in the proper context which is the congregation as family. Some are more functional or dysfunctional than others. Some may may happy and holy and others downright ugly and hateful to one another. i think the answers even if culled from the scripture vary with the particular congregation and circumstances. But it would seem to me that the main thing needed and often lacking is a truly prayerful, humble and charitable community spirit, focused on Christ that puts needs of the whole congregation ahead of the needs of any faction or individual in a community. On that base eveything else is built or crumbles for lack of a solid base. I don't know that I could be more specific in a general conversation. Is you experience of these issues the same in Japanese congregations as in the States or is there a different cultural component or slant? It sounds like based on your question there is not much difference. Am I wrong or correct? Emmaus |