God needs men, women, and young people who are willing to help and guide others into living the more abundant life. Two necessary functions in moving God’s Word over the world are the ministries of helps and governments. These functions are part of God’s plan for ministering in the Church Age, the Grace Administration. Helps and governments are ministries of service that we can all contribute in.
So what do we mean by helps and governments and ministries of service? The ministries of helps and governments assist in building the Church by supporting and directing the work of moving God’s Word. I Corinthians 12:28 tells us how God placed believers in the Church, the Body of Christ, to minister.
I Corinthians 12:28:
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Receiving the Holy Spirit Today, by Victor Paul Wierwille, gives a literal translation according to usage of this verse: “So God has placed some in the Church having the ministry of apostles, prophets, and teachers. There are some who minister more effectively as miracle workers, some who are very effective in ministering the blessings of healings, some who are very adept in ministering as helps and governments, and some whose ministry is diversity of tongues.”
I Corinthians 12:28 is God’s plan for ministering in the Church Age, the Grace Administration. Apostles, prophets, and teachers are gift ministries to the Church. Miracles, healings, and diversities of tongues are manifestations of the gift from the Holy Spirit in the Church. Helps and governments are service ministries in the Church. People operating these service ministries supply the work necessary to allow the movement of the Word to continue. As I Corinthians 12:28 shows, some are very adept at these, but we all can contribute.
What are helps and governments? The Greek word for “helps” means “a rendering assistance, help.” The ministry of helps is to supply another with what is needed to accomplish his ends. The Way International’s Foundational Classes always have the help and support of a class crew: people who set up chairs, make refreshments, greet students, or open and close the class sessions. These people discover the joy of being a helper in the movement of God’s Word by serving the needs of the class and the students. It’s a privilege to help in giving someone the Word of Life!
The Greek word for “governments” is defined as “a steering, piloting, direction, hence, a governing. The idea being that of guidance rather than rule.” Governments within the Church aid the movement of God’s Word by guiding the work of the ministry. The Way International has fellowships all around the world, and most areas have local, regional, or country leadership. Each coordinator leads and guides the work of the ministry in their own particular area of responsibility. Their guidance gives direction to the believers in their area, giving a framework for the Word to move.
Acts 6 shows how the apostles worked in the Church to meet needs, utilizing helps and governments so that God’s Word could keep moving. Their example can inspire us today as we give and serve.
Acts 6:2-4:
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason [fitting] that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost [holy spirit in manifestation] and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Until this time the twelve apostles assisted with daily tasks as well as teaching and outreach duties, but the work of the ministry grew so much that they needed help. They realized they needed people who could assist, guide, and direct the daily work of the ministry. The disciples chose seven men to help with the business affairs of the ministry, and the apostles ordained these seven qualified men to special ministries of service, especially ministries of helps and governments. This decision allowed the apostles to give their full attention to the outreach of God’s Word and to the development of the fellowships, or churches, in their area.
God still needs men and women today to assist, guide, and direct the affairs of the ministry within the Church. Ministries of helps and governments support the Church, allowing believers to continue giving the Word to the world. By God’s grace we each have a specific function, or ministry, to perform in our own unique and wonderful way. We can help and guide others into the life that God desires for them. Helps and governments are ministries of service that we all can contribute in. Whether we’re helping or we’re guiding, let’s continue to give our all for God, moving His Word over the world.