WE NEED PARMENAS!
(No that is not an auto-corrected version of Parmesan.)
Parmenas is a key leader in the plating of the church of Jesus Christ. His role is critical, the dependency on him is great. No, he never preached in the middle of the temple, it isn't recorded at least. He wasn't a pastor in his community. No, Parmenas was a volunteer leader. Parmenas was trusted with something that was greatly needed.
Check it out...
Acts 6:1-7
1But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.2So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”5Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).6These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.7So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
Often times we think that unless we are on the stage, or preparing messages we are unwanted or unimportant in ministry. THIS IS NOT THE CASE! This has to prove it to you! Parmenas... a guy you didn't even know existed in scripture, played a role that was to simply hand out food. As a result, guess what happened? Verse 7 says: God's message continued to spread! The number of believers greatly increased! Many were converted! How can we overlook the power of Parmenas? How can we miss it so greatly? The twelve aren't the reason for the growth in this passage, Parmenas and his equally unknown friends are!
"You don't have to be known to make God known."
My challenge for you is this: How can you be Parmenas in your church? What "small" task is in need of people full of the Spirit and wisdom? YOU could be what is missing... YOU could be what is holding back God's message. YOU could be what's missing for your church to grow!
GO VOLUNTEER! YOU ARE NEEDED!
