Chapter 3. The Pastor's relationship with the Lord

'But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.' (Gal. 1:11,12)

The main duty of the pastor is to give personal instruction as to how to live the Christian life, how to deal with sin, and how to live free from the world. In other words, show how to be like the Lord Jesus Christ. All ministry will therefore spring from his relationship with the Lord. It is through Him that 'we receive every good gift.' (James 1:17)

Basic Principles of Ministry

It is imperative that every pastor understands the foundations on which his relationship and faith is built, for he cannot minister to others those things which he himself does not understand or has not entered into. On one occasion, the Lord opened up for me, an opportunity to spend a few weeks visiting a group of hungry folk at a church about eight miles from where we lived. The Minister of the church, a little wary of this intrusion, came to one of the gatherings, and during the course of my sharing the scriptures, truth was revealed that we could be 'free from sin.' The brother nearly exploded off his seat: "It's impossible" he said. It transpired later that the man had been unfaithful to his wife, and was in fact in a number of impure relationships with members of his congregation.

Believing

To know God is the greatest assurance of salvation we have, and you will note in the reading of Scripture that: 'this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus whom you have sent.' (John 17:3) The catalogue of instances we have recorded for us, reveal that to believe in God is only one step into this relationship. For example, Samuel's own record of his encounter with God when God spoke to him the first time during his early life, was a mystery because 'he did not yet know the LORD.' (1 Sam. 3:7) The reason for this ignorance was a temple life, where the priest and his sons had turned away from the truth, and the light of God was flickering, ready to disappear.

Knowing

To know God involves the same intimate relationship that makes two people one in marriage. When the angel Gabriel showed himself to Mary, the one who had found favour with God, and revealed that hers was to become the womb for God's greatest miracle, the birth of His own Son, she naturally replied: " but I do not know a man." (Luke 1:34) She was engaged to a man named Joseph and recognised that birth only comes out of a more intimate relationship.
In these days I fear we have lost the truth of the knowledge of God! The church is absorbing the standards of the world and purity has become the prerogative of only a few godly people. We must remember that if we continue to violate the laws of God He will have no alternative but to give us up to our own ways. Paul, writing to the Romans says: 'because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man - and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonour their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.' ( Rom. 1:21-25)
John, who for his faith in and love for Jesus, was exiled on the isle of Patmos, knew God. He writes: 'Now by this we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in him.' (1 John 2:3-5) He knew God, and therefore found that his fellowship with God superseded any personal agony of heart and any physical suffering.
It is sad to acknowledge that we are living in days when the basis of our fellowship with the Lord, and with one another, is being eroded away by the failure of many to be obedient to the Word of God, so clearly revealed. The devil, who is the enemy of God, and therefore of His people, is successfully seeking to draw us away to a lower plane.
God, time and time again, reminds us to be aware of the subtlety of the enemy's ways. It is therefore my purpose to reveal the ways in which we must guard against losing this privileged fellowship and communion by accepting relationships which would draw us from God.

Partakers

The root of the word fellowship is from the Greek word 'koinonia' which is expressed in many different ways in the New Testament. Peter uses the word in the beginning of his second letter (translated here as 'partakers') when he says: 'Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.' (2 Peter 1:2-5)

Partners

Perhaps it can again be illustrated as Jesus came to choose his disciples. Peter, Andrew, James and John were partners, (again the word 'Koinonia') in a fishing business with Zebedee, the father of James and John. The call of God to them required that they should leave their father and follow Jesus. There was no adjusting period; they left all and followed Him: 'Now Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.. And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Then they immediately left their nets, and followed him. And going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. And he called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.' (Matt. 4:18-22) However, as Luke relates, for some reason they had gone back to their fishing again and the story records a night of failure. Peter's reaction after the Lord's command to, " launch out into the deep" was to say: " Depart from me, for I am a sinful man" then they brought their ships to land, and 'forsook all and followed Him.' (Luke 5:1-11)

Commitment

True fellowship therefore, demands a total leaving of all that we are, and a total commitment to Christ. This is further illustrated as the Spirit of God moved in the early church at that wonderful prayer meeting. 'Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and of one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet.' (Acts 4:32-35)
Even in this, the devil had taken advantage by sowing his subtlety in Ananias and Sapphira who, although they had brought most of the money from their sale, had kept back a part of it. In being faced up to this by the apostle, they both died instantly. God is not going to compromise on the basis of fellowship; it is a total commitment to Him.

Communion

To be in fellowship with Him and to have His life, Jesus said it was necessary to eat His flesh, and, drink His blood, which was what so upset the religious of His day. They had to enter into the communion of the body and blood of Christ. They, as we know, did not understand what Jesus was saying. I wonder if we have eaten and drunk our Lord to the full, so that there is no desire for anything that comes from this corrupt world.
The communion, or breaking of bread, as it has been ordained for us by the Lord, is an outward sign of the inward action of partaking of our Lord. Paul, in his letter to the Cornithian church confirmed God's instructions. 'For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same manner he also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till he comes.' (1 Cor. 11:23-26)
I have seen so many pass over the eating of the bread in the meeting. I know that Paul says that if we eat and drink unworthily we eat and drink damnation to ourselves, but is it not therefore a sign that we are out of fellowship with Him' What could be more natural for the man or woman who has been born into His life, and baptised into His body, than that he should want to eat and drink Him' It is as natural as for the newborn babe who knows how to drink from it's mother's breast; it does not need to be trained, it is in communion with the one that bore it, and it is this fellowship that the Lord has called us into.

A Common Life

Communion with the Lord brings us into a common bond of life, a life of extravagant love and giving - that which was the hallmark of the Macedonian churches: 'that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we had hoped, but first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God'. (2 Cor. 8:1-5) We are to enter into this bond of love with the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Good Shepherd, and also the door into this fold where His sheep know His voice and follow Him, and another they will not follow. The other spoken of is the thief and the robber who comes to steal and destroy.
So many have desired this life in relationship with God but they have not been prepared to bear the cost. The rich young ruler looked longingly at the potential of this when he asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life. He was a follower of the law but his commitment was to his riches. "Go, sell what you have and give to the poor," Jesus said, but 'he went away sorrowful.' (Matt. 19:21-23)
I wonder, as you have read this, whether you find yourself in fellowship with the Lord. Paul says: 'Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteouness with lawlessness' And what communion has light with darkness' And what accord has Christ with Belial' Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever' And what agreement has the temple of God with idols' For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will dwell in them, and walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be my people.' Therefore 'Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, And you shall be my sons and daughters' Says the Lord Almighty.' (2 Cor. 6:14-18) A life of joy and peace awaits all who will allow Him to be a Father to them.

Abiding

The Psalmist states: 'Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in his law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.' (Psa. 1:1-4) There is something very natural and refreshing about fellowship. In our new birth we have been planted into Him, and have become partakers of the root and fatness of the tree.

Trials

Jesus said: 'I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.' (John 15:5) There are, of course, those times of testing and trial, of pruning, so that our fellowship life with Him is deepened and enlarged. 'That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, you love. Though now you do not see him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.' (1 Peter 1:7-8)

Prayer and Study

Time is the greatest secret of the life of fellowship and communion. The person who really loves wants to spend more time with the one he loves most. This is why Jesus often challenged the lives of the people He met.
No man can minister unless he has learned to rise early and meet with God and soak himself in the scriptures, so that they are then a ready tool in his hand. Spend one hour in preparation to minister five minutes; spend a week in preparation to live one day. See that the work of God is thoroughly wrought in your own life which will now be food for those who feed upon the truth. Daniel's testimony of those who hated him was: 'but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. '(Dan. 6:4) 'Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.' (2 Tim. 2:15) 'All scripture is given by inspiration of God. That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.' (2 Tim. 3:16,17)

Daily and Yearly Bible Reading Schemes

It is important to have a systematic scheme for the regular reading of the word of God in addition to times of deeper study and also to make full use of the study books available, as added material to the ministry already developed in your heart, as it has been imparted by the Lord.

Fasting and Prayer

Daily and weekly times of prayer and fasting should be the normal practice of the minister's life. One day weekly, and perhaps three or four days quarterly, can at special times give extra depth to preparation prior to major church decisions or crusades. On one occasion, a number of church leaders gathered for three days of prayer and fasting. One brother who had quite recently been devastated by the evil work of men seeking to bring division in his church, subsequently causing it to be closed, had been under such personal attack that for a day he seemed unmoved by the sense of God's Spirit among us. Then, on the second day, it seemed that God's love began to penetrate his soul, and the Lord was able to move powerfully in him, releasing an agony of spirit such as I had not previously experienced. There are many such souls who need the ministry of men and women who are prepared to meet together, and break powers which it seems are not able to be broken any other way.
You will recall in Matthew's gospel that some of the disciples had laboured ineffectively with the son of a desperately seeking man, and Jesus counselled them that: 'this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.' (Matt. 17:21) In fact, Jesus encourages his disciples: 'But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.' 'But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your Father who sees in secret, will reward you openly.' (Matt. 6:6,17,18) The early church was found praying and fasting at the sending forth of the apostles, Paul and Barnabus. There are many facets to prayer, as in a diamond that reflects light in different ways. The person in the school of prayer should be able to move into all its precious areas, we shall see this as we develop the truth.

Passport to Life

We need to realise at the outset, that to enter into heaven we must, (as we need to when travelling to another country) have a passport. This can be dramatically illustrated by the words of Jesus: "not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord,Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name'' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who practise lawlessness!" (Matt. 7:21-23)
What then is the passport' Hebrews says: 'holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.' (Heb. 12:14) What a shock it must have been for the man in Matthew's gospel who, arriving at the wedding feast, was told: "Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment' " And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, "Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 22:12-13) Holiness is our only entrance into heaven, God requires that we be holy, for it is written: 'Be holy, for I am holy.' (1 Peter 1:16)
Holiness, therefore, is that precious work of God which has been born in us of God. 'If any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God.' (2 Cor. 5:17)
Let us test our reactions in all circumstances before we claim to hold that which perhaps, we have not fully entered into.
To be in fellowship with a holy God we must be holy people. I remember that very moving account of the men who were praying for the move of the Spirit in the Hebrides. After many nights of prayer the Spirit of God moved on one young man to quote the scripture; 'Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord' or who may stand in his holy place' He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.' (Psa. 24:3-4) It was then, as they became conscious that they were sinners and began to repent, that there came the first indication that God would move, and shake the little town. God can only be approached in this way.
You may remember that when God moved in the days of Moses, the mountains quaked at the presence of God. Hebrews records: 'For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words, so that they that heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them any more. (For they could not endure what was commanded, "and if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or thrust through with a arrow." And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.") but you have come to mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are registered in heaven, to God the judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.' (Heb. 12:18-24)
The only way to the Father is through His Son Jesus Christ, who has given His life and shed His blood that we may be cleansed from our sin. The New Covenant was introduced because the old laws could not make those who come to God perfect. Therefore, the way into the holiest is by the blood of Jesus, 'by a new and living way, which he consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, his flesh and having a high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.' (Heb. 10:20-22)

Worship

Assuming then, that the Lord has made us pure and clean and that we have gained initial entrance into the holiest of all, there is also a real desire to get alone with Him and we should find, out of this fellowship, that one of our greatest joys is to worship Him.
One of the greatest challenges to me, when reading the account of the disciples, Peter, James and John, was, the time the Lord went off a little further to pray. They were tired and the Lord said to them, "Could you not watch with me one hour'" (Matt 26:40) To me an hour does not seem too long to give to Him who has given everything for me!

Obedience - a Key

To remain in this fellowship we must know an obedience of heart, as did our Lord Himself. In the Old Testament, Saul seemed to have such a great beginning. He was chosen out from among God's people to be king over them.. He was a changed man, in that God gave him another heart, but due to his lack of obedience lost out in his relationship with God, and was eventually rejected from being king. God chose another in his stead saying: "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all my will." (Acts 13:22)
Let us then ask ourselves whether we are in fellowship with God, for we can know no real relationship with anyone else if this is not firstly established. We have become the temples of the living God; and we shall shortly be seeing how jealous God is to maintain this precious relationship with us.

Purity

Jesus brought afresh this startling revelation to the religious of His day when He made that momentous visit to the Temple. In John's gospel it is stated He : 'found in the Temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money-changers doing business. When he had made a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep, and the oxen, and poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned the tables. And he said to those who sold doves, 'Take these things away! Do not make not My Father's house a house of merchandise!' (John 2:14-16)
He later went on to explain that He was to establish in three days a temple in His own Body that would be the dwelling-place of God and the place of prayer. Sin has rendered our bodies unfit for the presence of God, therefore we are to seriously consider all things which relate to our bodies.
Paul makes this clear when he writes: 'Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised up the Lord, and will also raise us up by his own power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ' Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a prostitute' Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body with her' For 'The two,' he says, 'shall become one flesh.' But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own' For you are bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Cor. 6:13-20)
Fornication is a physical action between two people, outside of God's ordained pattern of marriage, which subject we shall be dealing with in the counselling chapters. It is our purpose to see that it will deprive us of fellowship with Him and, possibly, is already the reason why we find ourselves in violation of His will.

The Pastor a Reflection of His Lord

It is very easy to speak truth, but it must also be seen in the lives of those who speak. It is always distressing to hear young believers speak of men and women who have had, it seems, powerful revelations of truth, and received prophetic words, and yet in their ordinary everyday lives are such a frustration and concern to those with whom they live. On a trip to Africa, a dear sister was sharing such an illustration.. A co-worker had received remarkable direction but in the rest of her life she was lazy, inconsiderate, and unpleasant to work with.
The Apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthian church, lamented that they had 'many instructors but not many fathers.' (1 Cor. 4:15) We must always allow the beauty of the Lord to be seen in us long before we open our mouths. 'But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.' (2 Cor. 3:18) 'But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power, may be of God and not of us. Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifest in our body.' (2 Cor. 4:7,10)
The Pastor is a leader, both in spiritual and natural realms. He is called upon to make sacrifices that others of his flock may not be called upon to make. He must always be aware of the conscience of those he seeks to lead and serve. 'Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.' (1 Cor. 8:13)

Maturity

There is always a cry in the hearts of men and women for mature ministers of God, and the purpose of the Lord is to develop the life of his people so that they are able and effective ministers. As in the natural life there are five senses, so it must be in spiritual things. If we lack sight or hearing we are incomplete as a whole man. 'For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk, and not solid food. For every one who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness,: for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.' (Heb. 5:12-14)

Touch

'He touched me; and Oh the joy that fills my heart' rings out a well known chorus. Just like the woman who, having suffered from a disease for twelve years, reached out and touched the hem of Jesus' garment. It is amazing how men and women sense the atmosphere of our lives and of our homes. On one occasion, having had opportunity to be involved with a young girl in council care, we were visited by the social worker who was responsible for her. The lady commented on the powerful atmosphere of peace in our home. Another testimony of the Lord's gracious presence allowing us to touch the lives of those with whom we come into contact. How different is the atmosphere in many homes.
One day I visited a couple in the church, but on walking up the pathway to the front door could hear that they were in the middle of a gigantic row, both were shouting at each other. Embarrassed, I waited a few minutes, before ringing the doorbell, which seemed to bring an instant quietness. In less than a few seconds the door was opened but there was a very heavy atmosphere as I entered the lounge, and it was not long before confession needed to be made as to the state of their hearts.

Laying on of Hands

Another area of truth so misused in these days is that which comes via the laying on of hands. So much of what is called the 'gifts of the Spirit' are contaminated by those who impart their own spirit, or even that which comes from the devil, rather than the pure holy things of God. Simon, who was caught up with the blessing in Samaria under the anointed ministry of Philip, and who had previously been referred to as: 'This man is the great power of God.' (Acts 8:10) When later he saw the power that could be imparted through the laying on of hands, offered money to Peter and John so that he could have such a gift. (Acts 8:19) The scripture says: 'Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure.' (1 Tim. 5:22) If a man has not a clean heart and pure hands, what will he impart'

Taste

'We feed on Thee the living bread.' Jesus spoke to the leaders of his day saying: "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst." " Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you have no life in you." (John 6:35,53) To the woman he met at the well outside Sychar he said:-"whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14) We must be very sensitive in our communion with God, particularly, through the means of prayer and fasting.

Hearing

Paul says: 'faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.' (Rom. 10:17) How important it is to hear the Lord speak.
I remember one particular afternoon which illustrates this need to hear clearly from God. I was sitting quietly, when I heard very clearly, God speak to me that I should make contact with a certain young woman. I delayed, thinking I would do so later that evening as it was then 4.15pm, nearly time for tea, which we had as a family. I had chosen not to obey the voice, but the conviction grew stronger and stronger until 5.30pm I could delay no longer. I sought firstly to make contact by telephone, but without success, and then, although it took me some time, I tracked the young woman down at her parents home. I asked, 'what did you do at 4.15pm'' as God has spoken so clearly to me. At that she was visibly shocked, and immediately confessed that she had made arrangements to spend the evening with a non-Christian man with whom she had intended to be immoral. Knowing that God had so cared for her, she immediately repented, and cancelled her arrangements. I am sure that the sensitive hearing of the Lord saved her from sin that particular day.
Unfortunately, speaking the word of God does not always cause hearts to respond in a positive way. This particular illustration refers to another young woman, who had come to stay with us. At eighteen she had been openly living with both men and women, and showed a desire to be free. One evening, as Frances and I sat in our lounge, God revealed that the thoughts of her heart were unrighteous towards us, and having spoken to her she responded by taking an overdose, finishing up in the local hospital. Her mother was called, and I can still hear her screaming at me, 'murderer, murderer' in the hospital corridor. Jesus, you will recall, heard the thoughts of the scribes and Pharisees. 'But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered and said to them, 'why are you reasoning in your hearts'" ' (Luke 5:22)
One of the greatest privileges in our relationship with the Lord is to hear his voice: 'And the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.' (John 10:4) The pastor is able to receive the word of knowledge, the word of wisdom, and faith, that he may effectively minister to the flock over which he is overseer.

Seeing

By faith we are taken out of the realm of believing into the reality of seeing. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews, the chapter concerning faith, follows on with these words: 'Therefore, since we are also surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus.' (Heb. 12:1-2) How easy it would have been for Peter, having heard Jesus call him out of the boat, to walk on the water and to keep walking, instead of looking away and sinking into its stormy depths. When Elisha was surrounded by the army of the Syrian king, his servant was fearful, but Elisha asked God to open his eyes to the reality of the situation, and he found the mountains full of the horses and chariots of the Lord.

Smelling

There is an aroma about the things of God. Just as the praises of his people arise as a 'sweet smelling aroma.' ( Eph. 5:2) May our lives be filled with such sweetness. Jesus was often neglected, both by the people he served, and the disciples he taught. One day, while in a Pharisee's house eating a meal, one uninvited sinner broke in among them and began to wash his feet with her tears, and to wipe them with her hair, and then kiss them before breaking open a precious box of alabaster ointment. The scripture records that the house was filled with the perfume of her sacrifice.

The Pastor's Qualifications

Each local church is an autonomous fellowship under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is locally overseen by men who have been qualified by the Lord's calling. As we have seen, these men who oversee church life and seek to bring men into the things of God are known as elders and also referred to as, bishops, overseers and shepherds; and it is the purpose of this section to consider the qualifications of such men, together with the role of the deacon, so that we may make our own comparisons.

Scriptural Basis of Leadership

It is clear that an overall view of the Scriptures indicates that God raises up men to lead His people. In Numbers it is recorded: 'So the Lord said to Moses: Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and the officers over them; and bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the spirit which is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.' (Num. 11:16.17)
The biblical base for eldership is very clear: 'This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.' (1 Tim. 3:1) It's interesting to note that there is very little, if any specific guidance on church organization. The elders are the official oversight body of the local church, which is open to all men of the congregation who meet the Scripture's qualifications and have a Spirit imparted desire to jointly oversee the spiritual welfare of God's household.
Paul, when he was about to depart from the Ephesian church: 'sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.' (Acts 20:17)
The appointment and ministry of deacons is also clear: 'And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.' (1 Tim. 3:10)

What is an Elder?

As we have said there are two words which together clearly define the term elder. One is bishop: 'This is a faithful saying, if a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.' (1 Tim. 3:1) 'For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money.' (Tit. 1:7) 'For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.' (1 Peter 2 :25) 'Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.' (Phil. 1:1) Another is overseers:- 'Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with his own blood.' (Acts 20:28)

Eldership and Leadership

An elder is therefore a man appointed by God to oversee His church. Hebrews refers to: 'those who watch for your souls.' (Heb. 13:7) He must, therefore, be essentially, a pastor or shepherd if he is to care for God's sheep.
It is also clear from the whole canon of Scripture that these responsibilities are entrusted to men, and in the apostle Paul's writing, the qualifications assume a male subject.
Pastoral oversight was committed to a council of elders, but among these men of God were always those who were leaders, either by gift or calling :- Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Gideon, Peter, and Paul. Paul exercised his authority over the Corinthian church as he had 'laid the foundation.' (1 Cor. 3:10)

What is a Deacon?

Deacons are men appointed by God to serve in a more practical capacity, and although the book of Acts, does not refer to them as deacons, such work and qualifications are a good guide.

What about other Ministries?

Ephesians records: 'He gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.' (Eph. 4:11-13)

The Qualifications

Paul's instructions to his son in the faith Timothy, give us perhaps the best guide to the qualifications for eldership, which can be enlarged as follows:- A bishop must be blameless, without reproach, of innocent character, one in whom no fault can be found, a man whose life cannot be badly spoken about. He must have only one wife, be self controlled, sensible and prudent, a master of himself, serious minded, leading an orderly, disciplined life. He must be respectable, opening his home freely to guests, be a friend to believers and especially strangers and foreigners. He must be skilled in teaching, not a drunkard, not violent but patient, forbearing, peaceful and gentle and not a lover of money.
He must be one who is a good lead to his own family, serious minded, keeping his children under control, that they be thoroughly well behaved and lovers of the Lord. For if a man has not learned how to manage his own household, he will not know how to take care of the church of God. A bishop must not be a new convert or beginner in the faith, unless, being puffed up with pride, he gets carried away with himself and falls into condemnation of the devil. He must have a good testimony and be well spoken of by those outside the church so as not to incur reproach and fall into the devil's trap. He must not be self-willed or soon angry, nor stubborn or quick tempered, but holy, of pure life, a man who continues to cling to the trustworthy message.
The qualifications for deacons are similar, adding, that they must be men who combine a clear conscience with a firm hold on the deep truth of their faith. They must first be proved and tested and undergo a period of probation so that they may be found without blame, and only appointed to their office if no objection is raised against them.

The Role of the Wives

It would appear from the Scriptures that wives have an integral part to play in the work and ministry of their husbands. Although there is no actual statement to elders wives, it is clearly referred to in the section relating to deacons:
They must be dignified, worthy of respect, serious in behaviour, those who are not involved in scandal, not gossips, saying no evil of others, controlling themselves in all things. They must be women of discretion and self-control, women who can be trusted.
The apostle Peter gives further instruction on the nature of wives seeking to follow the Lord. They are exhorted to fit in with the work and ministry of their husbands, and so reveal by the character of their lives, the truth. Not adorning themselves outwardly, but in the hidden personality of the heart, the imperishable ornament of a quiet and gentle spirit, a beauty which springs from the inner loveliness of the heart .

Elder's Responsibilities

According to the Acts of the Apostles, God's Holy Spirit has placed elders in his flock as overseers to shepherd his church. God has established government in every area of life, in the family the husband is the head, in the church all believers are priests and ministers or servants, but not all are leaders, pastors and teachers. Elders are church leaders.

Submission

Submission is a word which in today's Christian community speaks of man having power over another and modern man reacts to such a concept and with it undermines the whole basis of the truth of God. The Scripture gives instruction on authority.
Children : 'Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.' (Eph. 6:1) Citizens in Society: 'Let every soul be subject to the governing authority. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist by God.' (Rom. 13:1) Wives to husbands: 'Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.' (Eph. 5:22) Employees to employers:- 'Servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ.' (Eph. 6:5) The church : 'Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.' (Heb. 13:17)

They are to Watch for your Souls

They are men who seek to guide and counsel the church into the requirements God makes on his people. They are to feed the flock over which God has given his life.

They are to Guard against False Teachers

'For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.' (Acts 20:29-30)
Paul exhorts every member to know all who labour hard at leading and admonishing and to esteem them very highly. The natural tendency of the flock is to take elders for granted, forgetting their past labours, complaining rather than being thankful, accentuating the bad and disregarding the good. 'And we urge you, brethren, to recognise those who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.' (1 Thess. 5:12-13)
During difficult times the people of Israel were prepared to stone Moses and David to death. Love is the divine glue that holds elders and congregation together through conflict and disagreement. No council of elders is perfect. All elders have problems and weaknesses, and each believer has a unique perspective of how elders should operate.

The work in the Local Church

Elders will be appointed to oversee the spiritual work:
1. The basis of the ministry
2. The details of its weekly life
i.e. Bible studies, prayer meetings, Sunday gatherings
3. Its evangelism and work amongst the young people and children
4. Its pastoral care
5. Its missionary work.
Elders will also oversee the function of deacons considered in a later chapter.