Moving from Being Consumers to Being Contributors
Pastor Eddie Eaton continues Becoming a Missional Church (Week 6), teaching from Ephesians 4:11–16. He contrasts spectator or consumer Christianity with a kingdom mindset in which Christ equips all believers to serve. God gives leaders to prepare the saints for ministry; every believer is equipped by the Holy Spirit, contributes to the body’s growth, and shares in Christ’s mission. The application is to reject a consumer approach, pray about how God has equipped you, take ownership, begin serving, and pray for a specific group of people.
Video outline
00:42 Opening prayer
01:50 Ephesians 4 and recap of the first five weeks
07:27 Why move from consumers to contributors?
08:58 Ephesians 4:11–12 — leaders equip the saints for ministry
11:04 The church in Acts as a missional body
11:40 Consumer mindset versus kingdom mindset
14:27 Expecting God to work through every believer
18:40 1 Corinthians 12:4–7 — spiritual gifts and equipping
21:32 Praying for direction and service
22:58 Ministry belongs to all believers, not only church leaders
26:32 Equipping as preparing and restoring
28:11 The saints are all believers
34:12 Growth in knowledge, maturity, and stability
36:39 Ownership and each member’s contribution
38:25 Ephesians 4:15–16 — the body grows as each part works in love
41:49 Renouncing consumer Christianity and seeking a kingdom mindset
43:06 Identifying the ministry God has equipped you for
44:18 Praying regularly for a specific group
46:32 Closing challenge to live missionally
48:49 Closing prayer
Topics: Church Leadership, Christian Living, Missions, Spiritual Gifts