All Christians, not just clergy or monks, are called to be saints. The main task of bishops, pastors, deacons, evangelists and teachers isn't just to lead worship services and teach doctrine (although that's important too!), it's to equip the saints to offer service, to do the work of ministry (diakonia in Greek) to build up the Body of Christ, the Church (Ephesians 4:12), the Ark of our Salvation. That's why we're Building the ARC.

Ever since Christ established the Church, it has been compared to the Ark: see Hebrews 11:7. The water of the Great Flood has its antitype in the water of baptism, which saves us just like Noah and his family were saved from the Flood by being in the Ark. The Apostle Peter wrote that -

"God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you - not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:20-21).

Back then, most of the people laughed at Noah building the Ark and went about their ordinary business / busyness, not thinking this was a matter of life or death. YOU have a 70% probability that you'll need at least home healthcare: over 2/3 of retired people will spend on average about 3 years disabled before we depart this life. This is not something to laugh at or ignore, it's a real risk that people need to prepare for before it happens. We need to build the ARC!

The word "holy" comes from the same Greek word as "saint" which means to be set apart or totally committed to serving God. So all of us, clergy and laypeople alike, are called to be holy, to be saints: "...as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, but just as He who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be holy; for I am holy'" (1 Peter 1:14-16).

The main task of pastors and teachers is (or ought to be) "to equip the saints to do the work of ministering to the building up of the Body of Christ" - the goal is to make every member a minister: that's how the Body of Christ, the Church, will be built up! As the culture becomes less and less Christian, "Cultural Christianity" - just going through the motions one hour a week or so - won't cut it anymore. What's needed is an environment where we can live out our faith on a 24/7 basis. Building the ARC is more than just a building, it's a complete lifestyle change:

"Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:1-2). "Many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). God has called you to total commitment! Have you chosen to answer the call? Enroll in our free courses to see how YOU can do diakonia-ministry. And Join "The ARC" Chat/Video Forum to Build the ARC!

Yours sincerely,

"Dr. Bob"

Robert D. Hosken, M.Min., M.Th.S., D.Min.