Read: Ephesians 3:1-4:16
Verses selected for reflection:
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Reflect:
Paul was giving instructions to the churches in Ephesus on how to do ministry. One of his instructions pertains to the main role of apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers. Their main role was to "equip the saints for the work of ministry".
The equipping of the saints was for the purpose of building up the body of Christ where all will grow in spiritual maturity. This spiritual maturity is call the "stature of the fullness of Christ". The stature of the fullness of Christ is what all Christians should grow and aspire to. Only by doing so, can we be increasingly doing the will of God in all areas of our life. Only by doing so, can we attain growth in personal holiness.
Relate
This passage in Ephesians give instructions to churches on what we should be focusing on; even in the modern age. What I see are two major teachings from Paul:
Firstly, what we should be focusing on as a church is disciple making. That is, to help one another grow in spiritual growth. Therefore, the church is not a playground or a club where people come and go and feel good about ourselves that we have friends. Church is also not a community hub for big events and programs where there are no obvious objective for disciple making. While fellowship is definitely important and can be a good platform for discipleship; what is crucial is our progression as a Body of Christ towards attaining the fullness of our Lord Jesus. Hence, whatever we do and plan for in the church, should have this teaching from Paul in mind.
Secondly, the role of the pastor-teacher is primarily to equip the saints for the works of ministry. This means that pastors should first be well versed and be living out the word of God. Pastors should also be spending most of our time preparing to teach the word of God and helping believers understand and do the works of ministry.
Pastors should not be spending most of our time doing the works of ministry by ourselves; while denying opportunities for believers to do so. Or that we refuse to work with others as a team. For such are precious platforms for discipleship. That being said, pastors should should also show ourselves as examples to the flock by being more hands on such as keeping chairs after an event.
On the other hand, the church should not demand that pastors or pastoral staff do almost "everything". If that is the case, then the pastor and pastoral staff are viewed as a hired hands, not as shepherd or a teacher. It is like a "we pay you salary, you do the work" kind of mentality. Yet, this can also be due to a lack of proper "equipping of the saints" about the nature and works of ministry.
Or that the church should also differentiate between that which is more "sacred" for pastors to do; while the lay persons do the more "ordinary" things. Or that some believe when pastors pray, God listens more. Case in point, believers usually want the pastor to pray prior to community meals. But why?
There is not a need for such differentiation except for what has been designated to the office of the pastor such as presiding over communion, conducting funeral rites, marrying believers, baptism and receiving believers into membership of the Church. And these are done in this manner, usually for the purpose of good order, teaching and preventing abuse.
Many other works of ministry should be led and done by lay persons in partnership with the clergy. This is the order and manner of the church that was suggested by the Apostle; and we can do well to follow for the sake of His glory.
Rest
May the Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, teach the church on how we can build one another up for the purpose of spiritual growth. This is so that the Gospel is preached and applied for the sake of God's kingdom and glory. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Jason
Comments
Post a Comment