Responsibility of Church leaders

 

What is the role and responsibility of the church and its leaders in our new dispensation?

Since it is clearly stated that; “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” And, “the anointing which we have received from Him abides in us, and we do not need that anyone teach us; but as the same anointing teaches us concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught us, we will abide in Him.”

And since God has appointed in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues, how effective are these ministries in the light that it is the anointing who teaches us concerning all things?

Well the reason why He (God) Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, it is for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, until 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; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head --- Christ ---(Ephesians 4:11-15).

The different ministries are for the edification of the church, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. So, having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Ephesians 4:16; Romans 12:6-8).

The role of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and teacher is first and foremost to; “Shepherd the flock of God which is among them, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to them, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, they will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (Acts 20:28; 1Peter 5:2-4).

They are to warn the flock of impending disasters, they are to; "Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up their voice like a trumpet and tell God’s people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” They are to act as a watchman for the house of Israel, hear a word from the Lord, and give warning from the Lord (Isaiah58:1 Ezekiel 3:17).

The members on the other hand have the responsibility to remember those who rule over them, who have spoken the word of God to them, whose faith they should follow and imitate not blindly, but as they imitate Christ, considering the outcome of their conduct (Hebrews 13:7).

And so the admonition is; “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.’

 “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread” ( 1Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; 2Thessalonians 3:6-12).

 Members are also admonished to obey those who rule over them, and be submissive, receive them in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; for they watch out for our souls, as those who must give account. We are to let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for us. And we are urged to recognize those who labor among us, and are over us in the Lord and admonish us, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake and be at peace among ourselves (Hebrews 13:17, Philippians 2:29; 1Thessalonians 5:12-13).

We are also required to share in all good things with him who teaches following the example of the apostle Paul who wrote; “If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.

“Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void” (Galatians 6:6; 1Corinthians 9:11-15).

The apostle Paul further stated that, “It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors: For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.” Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages" (Romans 15: 27; 1Timothy 5:17).

Let us learn how to maximize the use of God’s grace to His honor and glory, and let us not be guilty of receiving it in vain.

https://www.amazon.com/author/luciusjoseph

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph