The most valuable people are those who serve. That’s why they receive the recognition and opportunities others would like but don’t receive because too often their selfishness overrides their usefulness.
The New Testament abounds with men and women who discovered the spirit of servanthood. Among the long list of those who worked with and served Paul is Epaphroditus, who risked his life in the call:
Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.
(Phil. 2:25-30)
Epaphroditus is a name associated with the goddess of gambling. Paul plays on the word when he refers to the man risking (gambling) his life for God. This man had gambled his life for the sake of serving God. In the same way, during the plague in 252 A.D., the Christian Bishop, Cyprian, led the early Christians of Carthage to bury the dead and nurse the sick in the stricken city when bodies were thrown into the streets. There was a group called the “paraboloni” (the gamblers) who visited prisoners and the sick, especially those who were dangerous or who had highly infectious diseases.
Epaphroditus had braved the wild seas that stormed at that time of year, the treacherous back roads to Rome, and the danger of being associated with Paul, the man charged with treason. He moved into the prison to be a servant to Paul in his suffering, as there were little or no provisions, food, clothing, or bedding for prisoners.
Paul was moved to write by the need of the church to be comforted. They loved Epaphroditus so much they had become distressed when they heard he was sick. Paul was aching to visit the Philippian church.
Paul calls Epaphroditus brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, messenger, and minister.
- Brother: This implies he has the same father, and therefore carries the same genetics, the same instincts.
- Fellow worker: Epaphroditus is not a “consumer” Christian but a “producer” Christian. Paul says that just as he worked, so did Epaphroditus. This is about being useful and proving our worth. Our fellowship is in working together.
- Fellow soldier: This is a man who fights the good fight. When I fight, so does he. Our fellowship is in that we are fighting the same fight. He covers me when I need it, and I cover him when he needs it.
- Messenger: Paul is saying that Epaphroditus can be trusted with carrying my message, not his own. I can trust him to take gifts I am giving to others.
- Minister: He ministers to me and to others so they are impacted, transformed, touched, and blessed.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Phil and Chris Pringle came to Sydney in 1980 from New Zealand to start a church with a passion for Jesus and a desire to see this world won for Christ. Just 12 people attended the very first service on Easter Sunday at Dee Why Surf Club. With that service, C3 Church and the C3 Global movement as we now know was birthed.
Numbers grew as the venue changed while connect groups blossomed through fun dinner parties and hangouts. Phil had a vision of creating a contemporary church, which included creating modern, relevant worship music and recorded sermons that truly resonated with a crowd of people that hadn't felt connected to church prior. Week by week, the altar call would be filled with people wanting to meet and experience Christ. The vision was growing.
Expanding to a Brookvale warehouse, Phil and Chris sent much loved friends and fellow church builders overseas to plant C3 Churches abroad, fighting for years to see a patch of paddocks transformed into the state-of-the-art venue that now exists at Oxford Falls. Today, C3 Oxford Falls has grown to a congregation of thousands and C3 Sydney has expanded to C3 Silverwater, C3 Rozelle and C3 Penrith, with further extension services at Avalon, Bankstown, Manly, Merrylands, Mosman and Wahroonga all continuing to move towards a local vision: Sydney, A City For Christ.
Phil is the President of C3 College, a ministry training college developing leaders and ministers for the church today with over 5000 graduates. Each week, C3TV broadcasts church services to thousands throughout the world, under Phil's leadership.
In his meetings, Phil has seen powerful moves of God, with the glory of God filling the atmosphere. As a result, many have been saved and lives totally changed. Chris is known for her responsiveness to the Holy Spirit, cheeky demeanor and life-giving messages.
Phil and Chris are parents to Rebekah (married to Matt), Dan (married to Leah) and Joe (married to Christine), and grandparents to Sonny, Finn, Rooney Bea and Goldie Jean.