Interesting Day

I have spent the majority of my day studying scripture. Most of my ponderings have centered around the difference between laity and the church leaders in the modern church. Is this a Biblical standard or one that has been created by man?

I purge my own thoughts and again ask God to infuse me with His thoughts as I read His Word. Today I have read the first ten chapters of Acts and the book of James. I notice first that there is a clear dichotomy between the apostles and the believers in the first chapter of Acts. The Word tells us that Peter states that one of the people who have been a witness to Christ must also join the eleven remaining apostles as prophesied in Psalm 69 and 109.

The dichotomy is made even more clear when there is an issue with fair treatment of the Hellenistic Jewish widows and orphans. Peter basically says that the twelve should not be distracted from their ministry of the Word of God in order to wait on tables. Is this a gifting issue or should there be a clear distinction between the different parts of the body of Christ? I don't have answers for this today. What I feel i must do now is understand why Christ called the twelve to be his apostles in the first place, this may give me some understanding of distinctions between believers.

However, I find it interesting that I received a text from my wife today (she is on a plane on the way back from a Kay Arthur/Beth Moore conference in Orlando) that said, "If you have time today check out Dallas Theological Seminary." I have considered seminary before in the past and this one has always been at the top of my list. However, my overall concern with church structure and dissatisfaction with the church experience as a whole has left me questioning where God is leading us. A system that costs $50K to receive a four year degree seems to burden those wishing to serve God with a high cost and likely debt in order to do so.

I am still questioning and waiting for God to provide answers in His time.