Helps/Assistance

1 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.

The helps ministry or those who assist are very vital in the body of Christ. In any ministry, there is the leader and there leaders or assistants to the leader. Their role is to understand the vision of the leader and assist in implementing or running it. 

Jesus had disciples to publicise his ministry in places where he was about to go, helped to defend him from attacks(Peter cutting off one of the Roman soldiers ear and also hindering many people including children from coming close to him for they might have pressed against him), helped to distribute the food and collect left overs whenever He fed the people, he sent them to the markets to buy food (at the last supper and also when they found him speaking to the Samaritan woman) etc. 

When Jesus was present on earth, they ensured his ministry was running well by assisting him meet his physical as well as spiritual needs. When Jesus left, they too appointed helpers for example those who were in charge of distribution of food equally among widows-Stephen and six others. These worked as ushers. In the church we have helps who help clean, arrange chairs, worship in the choir, who are in sound, etc. All these are in helps. 

If all want to be lead pastors then there would be confusion. They however can be shepherds leading Missional families and minister the needs of the saints in the word, and other physical needs. 

Where has God called you at this time? To lead or to assist? You do well to assist first to be a good leader tomorrow. Promotion in church leadership comes to those who have been around assisting for long. For example when the disciples sought to replace Judas, they chose one who had been travelling with them wherever they went during earthly ministry of Jesus. It's a blessing to assist because you're under the cover of another, without the pressures that come along with being the head. If you lead prematurely, you risk losing your life and ministry because you lack the necessary preparation to handle the ministry demands.

You are not more important because you are leading and neither are you less important because you are assisting. The main thing is to be where God has called you to be and serve faithfully. The reward from God will be because of faithfulness in service, not the position you held.

EK