Five Fold Ministry, Part 2: Equipping the Saints
Time was, when the pastorate was something that fine, respectable families sent their children off to do; it was a mark of honor on the family to say that their child was becoming a priest or pastor. Maybe that had to do with the rigorous study involved; kind of like having a “My Child is an Honor Student at XYZ School” bumper sticker. (And if I had a bumper sticker, it’d probably be the “My Kid Beat Up Your Honor Student” one. OK, well, I digress.) My point is that I think those days are over. The days of ministry as a symbol of respectability and achievement, and yes, of power, are being replaced by a new paradigm. It’s one we’ve heard of before, but I believe that the rubber is about to hit the road. These are the days of servant leadership.
When I say this, take it with a huge grain of salt–try to forget the messenger for a minute. I’m so at the beginning stages of this, that it’s only 1% past theory for me. But it’s something that God is pressing home. He’s been bringing this “five fold ministry” thing up over and over, and the thing that really gets me is that with all of these gifts, Paul tells us that the whole reason that gifts exist is “to equip the saints for ministry”. The saints–you and me, the “non-professional clergy”. See, we’ve (not just Lamb, but the Church at large) been sitting in the pews for so long being spoken to, watching the “worship show”, expecting to get “fed”, that we’re totally unaware of the fact that God’s whole intention was to raise up an army. An army of lovers, who wield things like swords and shields (Ephesians 6, just a page away from the five fold thing).
For leaders, frustration comes when much of the time is spent simply teaching folks how to stand up on their own two feet. Put a sword in that hand? Are you serious? That person’s got broken bones that won’t heal! (Short disclaimer: I am not privy to confidential information from the pastoral care that my husband gives.) But it begs the question: for which purpose do leaders exist? To “feed” us? To clean up our messes? To keep slathering and slathering the “balm of Gilead” until we’re greasy and fat? Yes, when necessary–but ultimately, NO! The job of leaders is to “equip the saints”. And this is not an indictment toward the leaders. It’s a call to shake ourselves awake and realize what they’re already trying to do for us: to equip the saints for ministry.
Why do we seek things like, for example, physical healing? At the time of my last post, I had a thrown back that just wouldn’t quit. I wanted to be healed. Why? Just so I can feel better? And so that I can stand up in church and give a nice testimony? NO! It’s so I can be a soldier. So that I can be undistracted by pain.
The need for ministers to take their servant leadership seriously–not just to clean up messes, but to equip the saints to move out and build the kingdom–applies to each and every one of us in the church. We all know this, but we are called “the priesthood of believers”. That means each one of us has a vital role to play. Paul tells us in Titus that each believer is to bring alongside another believer and train them up. I have been convicted of that recently–my “loner” tendencies are very strong. But I need not only to be under mentorship, but to seek out others in stages of life that I’ve already been through, and be available to equip those saints.
One thing that Ben and I are trying to concentrate on when we lead worship is equiping you by offering opportunities for all of you to pray together during worship. We equip each other by being in each other’s lives, even if it’s just a weekly touch point in the service. So look out for those opportunities more and more. It is part of the way that we, as worship leaders, are looking to equip the saints that are in our charge. I sense my responsibility to do that. I do not ever want your eyes on me, the worship team, etc.–I want to equip each of you to see more of Christ and to love Him more through the Word and through that wonderful vehicle we call Music.
So, in your own life, I encourage you to look at those in your sphere and ask, “How can I equip the saints?” And be encouraged that God will bring alongside those who will seek to equip you.