As the youngsters step out of the door for school we shout a question or two. ‘Have you got your lunch, your key, your homework?’ Quite often last remarks are the most important.
1 Corinthians 16.15-18 is a paragraph whose weight is increased by being the final thing Paul writes before the closing greetings.
‘You know the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins the work and labours at it. I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.’
The re-emergence of heavy shepherds
What would you think if you received a letter from your church leaders that read like this? ‘Are church members …