Pastors
Ephesians 4:11-13
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors [shepherds] and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Vision of Five Fold Pastor
Every person can feel like they are part of the family of God. Every person can feel like they belong and are included. Every person can be able to overcome brokenness and become whole.
Why Five Fold Pastor?
Their contribution to the ministry of God is to create an atmosphere for family and belonging. They bring fun and enjoyment to God’s ministry and allow people to feel like they are part of a greater family. They are also instrumental in guiding people through brokenness back to wholeness and healing their soul from wounds that keep them where they are. The office of the Pastor can be illustrated by the ring finger in that he is married to the church, which is his life and passion. They have a unique gifting that is essential to God’s ministry.
Heart of Five Fold Apostle
They are capable of helping others make better choices for themselves.
They are concerned for people’s hearts and emotions.
They feel people’s pain when they hurt.
They see the answers to relational dysfunction.
They embrace people and make them feel like they are welcome and included.
They are exceptional at having fun and enjoying life.
They are an excellent listener.
They have a soft and tender heart for those who are hurting.
Role of Five Fold Apostle
To care for and nurture the lives of the flock.
Because pastors think needs before nations., they aim to protect the wounded and the broken rather than send them on the battlefield hurting.
To help people grow emotionally healthy and learn how to live a balanced life.
To create safe places for people to heal from the past.
Guard the sheep.
Why Does the Body of Christ Need Five Fold Pastors?
WITHOUT PASTORS:
People remain in stuck in their pain and brokenness.
People are left out, left behind and forgotten.
People in church don’t know where to turn.
People are held down and not lifted up.
Appearance of Conflict
Apostolic and pastoral leadership carry very different goals, focus, and flavor. It is very important that we not only understand their differences but also adjust our expectations of our leaders based on the grace they have been given by God. Respecting an apostle to function like a pastor or a pastor to function like an apostle will lead to years of frustration, misunderstanding and division.
Every pastor needs to be able to teach, but not every pastor has the anointing of the gift/office of a teacher.
Necessity of Five Fold Office/Ministry
"Jesus Christ gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers and pastors for the equipping, perfecting, mending, perfectly joining together, putting in order, ethical strengthening, completing, fulfilling, of the Saints, for the work of the ministry."
"All five ministries are absolutely necessary for the health and vitality of the church and its mission. Furthermore, all five functions are critical for the church to self-regenerate, develop, and “perfect” itself! In other words, the five fold ministry is like the self-healing capacity in our bodies. Our bodies have the inbuilt capacities for self-regeneration and the ability to be restored to functionality."
"The historical reduction of taking all five ministries and downsizing them into the two of pastors and teachers has caused a fatal and degenerative disease in the body of Christ. Our God given genetic codes have been corrupted. No wonder why we are frustrated, broken and alienated from one another. We have an autoimmune disease... We are body divided against ourselves. Then that result is a long-term dysfunctionality and self-alienation (autoimmunity) that has led to a systematic breakdown... a deceased body."
Quotes by Jeremiah Johnson
Those who have the calling of being a Five Folf Minister are not self-appointed, they are ordained by one of the Five-Folf offices, normally by an Apostle or Prophet.
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