PASTORS
Friday – December 30, 2016
These Friday’s are coming around pretty regular don’t you think? Greetings from The Three Minute Word publications. I put a picture of a Church each Friday to remind us all to pray for the body of believers in these United States. I will now resume our Bible Study from the writings of Paul anointed of the Spirit of God from the Book of Ephesians.
Ephesians 4:8-12 (KJV)
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
I have been discussing the gifts which Jesus, the Head of the Church, gave unto mankind when He ascended to Heaven following the Crucifixion and Resurrection. The Apostle Paul enumerates five ministry gifts, commonly referred to as the Five-Fold Ministry. Thus far I have discussed the gift of the Apostle, the Prophet, and the Evangelist. The meaning of the word ‘pastor’ as used in Ephesians 4:11 is one who tends the flock, the local Church.
Being a Pastor is more than providing water and feed, it also involves guidance and oversight. Remember that in any given flock there is a range of maturity from those just born to those in the very last days of maturity (life). There is the spiritual maturity levels and there are the physical maturity levels and the shepherd (pastor) in the Church has to be very aware of both. The Pastors greatest responsibility is for the oversight of the congregation with regard to the quality of the water and feed (Word of God), their protection from the curse and activating the Blessing, and defending them against predators initially then teaching them to deal with the predators themselves. In other words how to grow (mature) in the Word, how to use that Word to defeat and expel the curse (stealing, killing, and destroying) from their lives and bring on the abundant life, and how to recognize and how to deal with predators and the predator himself. It seems from the review of the Scripture that the Pastor is more or less the focal point for the congregation. He or she is the one to whom they look for the quality of their food and water, their covering (shelter), and a warning of predators.
In many cities today there is a Mayor and there is a City Manager. A Pastor or the Pastors of a local Church seem to fit more into the niche of City Manager. In a corporation this would be the Chief Operations Officer. The congregation relies upon the Pastor to give direction concerning good food and water, good shelter, and provide good protection. The Scripture is not clear therefore giving us leeway concerning the order of service but there are some hints like the following Scripture.
1 Corinthians 14:26 (HCSB)
26 What then is ⌊the conclusion⌋, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, ⌊another⌋ language, or an interpretation. All things must be done for edification.
This model involves way more congregational participation then is seen in the average modern Church. Do not be hindered by the word ‘edification’ at the end of the preceding verse which means to build up. Correction does not seem edifying at the outset but the result is that the person or the group corrected is subsequently built up if they receive the correction, repent changing their thinking, words, and ways. To allow the person or persons to continue in error results in a compounding problem with regard to error and a lack of victory. There should be no defeat in the Church and especially in a mature believer’s life. Defeat is the result of fear and unbelief and must be challenged directly and often to drive it from the congregation. In those who rebel and refuse to develop faith consideration should be given to treating them as one of the heathen for a little leaven leavens the whole loaf. There will be challenges but not defeats only overwhelming victories in the mature believer’s life. To help put this in a little better perspective perhaps let’s consider the following passage of Scripture.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (KJV)
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
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.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
So, it would seem that the order of authority and priority by God in the Church would be from the Apostle, than the Prophet, than the teacher, followed by workers of miracles, gifts of healing, helps, government, and diversity of tongues. The Pastor it seems would function as the Chief of Staff coordinating the exercise of these gifts, which are in the Church to mature and function. I will pick this teaching up again next Tuesday, the 3rd of January 2017.
Have a Happy and Blessed New Year everyone! Monday I will have a special edition, reviewing past prophetic words given of God and what God is saying to us right now through me. This is the last Three Minute Word publication of 2016 and it is with great excitement that we plunge into 2017.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
