Bradley Wareley
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The Pastor, The Calling, The Function.
This post has direct reference to those pastors who have been appointed by God and not those who are self-appointed. Reference is to those pastors who preach and teach the Word of God without fear or favour and do so without changing it or seeking personal gain and recognition. The word pastor in this post is used to cover the five leadership gifts God has given/appointed to the church in Ephesians 4:11.
The pastor is appointed by God.
People who work with the pastor and interact with him or her must keep this truth in mind. This includes the congregation, the pastor's family and friends, and the larger community. We must understand that God, not the pastor's supporters, bestows the role of pastor. There are those who believe they have control over the pastor's appointment by God and can easily want to have dominion over it by expecting the pastor to act in a certain way. The people around the pastor must realize that God is just as much for them as He is for all believers. Given that God is the one who provides the pastor, God is the One who has a CLEARER understanding of the pastor's role than anyone else. The pastor is a divine ly appointed and NOT by humans.
Ephesians 4:11
The pastor is appointed or given by God!
The pastor's function is from God.
Acts 20:28 and Ephesians 4:11 describe the pastor's role as one of guarding, equipping, and edifying the congregation. Their role IS NOT to fulfill the needs and desires of those around them. All pastors are chosen with the intention of preaching and teaching in order to:
Guard
Pastors look after the flock. Through his or her teaching from the Bible, the pastor serves as a protector. The flock is in God's protective environment when receiving solid biblical instruction.
Equip
In order to prepare the believer for the work that God has called them to, pastors teach and preach. All the information needed by those who will listen and pay attention has been imparted to pastors. It's likely that God will send a pastor into your life if you want to be prepared for the calling to which you have been given.
Edify
The Greek word "oikodome," which the Apostle Paul used, means "to build a house, erect a building," or "to build up from the ground," according to Jack Wellman, who claims that the words "edify" and "build up" are synonymous (https://www. What Does Edification Mean in Christian Studies? (http://www.christianswanttoknow.com/ixzz7wWIr9Q4A). It is obvious that a pastor's other role is to help the people he or she serves build or erect spiritual structures in their lives. If you continue to be in a state of "spiritually floppiness" where you can never stand on your own two feet, the likelihood is very high that you have not carefully observed your pastor's bible teaching.
The Pastors function is of God!
The pastor's authority by God.
The fact that a pastor is held accountable does not imply that they are subject to the authority of those to whom they are answerable. In other words, accountability does not reduce the pastor's authority. Never forget that the pastor's authority comes from God alone, not from any organization or constitution, title, or other person to whom the pastor is answerable. God is the foundation of the pastor's power to minister. God gives the pastor the power to carry out his or her appointed duties. When the pastor is in action, God's authority is being used to impact those who are affected by his or her ministry. The pastor is subject to God and is guided by God by working under God's authority.
Hebrews chapter 13 verse 17.
The pastor's authority is of God!
The pastor's power is of God.
The pastor operates under the power of God. Their charisma, talent, or those around them do not endow them with power. When the pastor ministers, God uses that ministry to carry out His will. We must never lose sight of the fact that the pastor serves to carry out God's Will. Therefore, we must make every effort to resist the temptation to believe that the pastor is empowered by us, the local church leadership. Pastors do not receive their authority or abilities from local churches. The pastor was chosen by Jesus, and Jesus also bestows upon the pastor the capacity, potential, and means by which he or she can serve. Training, credentials, and titles do not confer any kind of power or ability on the pastor; they do not represent their abilities. God is the source of ALL POWER AND ABILITY; this is grace in action.
1 Peter 4:11.
The pastor's power is of God!
The pastor's defense is in God.
The pastor is protected by God, not by anyone else. Pastors are under the divine protection of the Living God even though they may face attacks from all directions and appear weak and vulnerable. God never leaves anyone He chooses unprotected. The next time you decide to behave dishonourably toward a man or woman of God, keep that in mind. God is looking out for them. Touch not my anointed, the bible clearly says in Psalm 105:15. Literally, it means that you shouldn't physically harm them. The Bible says that God has plans and has appointed a number of leaders to carry those plans out. He has vowed that no one will be able to thwart His plans by harming those He has chosen. God will uphold those He appoints and has perfect plans for them. Use Abraham (Genesis 12 and 20), Isaac (Genesis 26), and Jacob (Genesis 31) as your models. As they walked in God's plan and purpose, He provided protection for each of them. When Paul's life was in danger, God intervened to ensure that the person He had chosen was safe (Acts 23:12–35). The lesson is that God will protect every pastor He has chosen and is aware of any plans made against them. He won't watch those plots develop while doing nothing.
The pastor's defense is in God!
The pastor's submission is under God.
Some believe that the pastor must submit to them. They are leaders in their respective churches, and as a result, they feel that the pastor owes them an obligation because of their growing influence and power. Let's be explicit. The work of God is carried out by each pastor He appoints. Those who want the pastor to submit to them do so in order for the pastor to join their cause and carry out their objectives. Pastors are not here to fulfill man's purpose for existence. Period. The role of the pastor is God's, who also appoints, ordains, and empowers the pastor. This implies that the pastor is obedient to God. It must be understood that the pastor is in submission to God and that no one around them should try to make the pastor submit to them. This does not imply that the pastor is not accountable to those around them. Therefore, God would not permit the pastor's mission to change to that of those who want to have power over him or her. According to James 3:1, Jeremiah 3:15, Acts 20:28, Hebrews 13:17, and 2 Timothy 4:1 and other bible references, pastor's submit to God's mission. DON'T FORCE THE PASTOR UNTO YOUR MISSION.
The pastor submission is under God!
The pastor's provision is from God.
Without a doubt, God provides for those whom He chooses. The pastor's provision is not based on the plans of man, so nothing can be done to obstruct that provision. Let it be known that pastors will be and are provided for by God. There are those who work to keep the pastor "humiliated," but they fail to remember that there is a God Who owns cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10) and to Whom all the gold and silver belongs (Haggai 2:8). Provision was promised by the Living God, Who provides for those Whom He appoints (2 Kings 4:1–44; Ezekial 44:30; Malachi 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:17; Galatians 6:6–10; 1 Corinthians 9:14; 1 Timothy 5:18). The moral of the story is that we should NOT try to keep the pastor "humble" and remember that God has His chosen people on His mind.
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Copyright 2023 Bradley Wareley
Please share any thoughts and comments you may have below.
Very powerful, to the point, very informative and made me realize how powerful and sort after my call is, because when God calls someone He equip us to fulfill His Devine plan on earth. Bless you Sir.
Thank You.