GIFTED (part eleven)
We've come to the end of our spiritual gifts series. We've covered many gifts on our journey: prophecy, serving, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, mercy, the message of wisdom and the message of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, discerning between the spirits, speaking in and interpreting tongues, apostleship and evangelism. Today we look at our final two gifts-pastor and administration.
1) Pastor.
Eph. 4:11, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers."
This is the only place where the word pastor occurs. Pastor means shepherd. A shepherd takes care of his flock. He nourishes it, watches over it and protects it from harm. And if one strays away he goes and looks for it. And if it falls and lands on its back and can't right itself the shepherd will turn it over and get it on its feet again. If the sheep gets injured he tends to its wounds.
As a shepherd does these things for his herd of sheep, a pastor does the same for the sheep of the church. The pastor is to lead, nourish, oversee, protect and care for the flock. A pastor has the ability to promote spiritual growth. Typically a pastor also has the ability to teach and preach. But a teacher (and sometimes a preacher too, don't necessarily possess the pastoral gift).
And when we go on in Eph. 4 we see the purpose for these gifts. 12-16, "to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
In these verses we see some things that a pastor does for his flock. He prepares God's people for works of service. That's probably the main reason I've done this series. Knowing your spiritual gift helps to prepare you for works of service. You don't have to be gifted to serve but knowing how you're gifted will aide and equip you to be able to move in a specific direction.
That's what I want everyone to consider. There are plenty of people who are using their gifts and serving where needed. But there are others who could be doing better at that. And I'm sure there are some of you that haven't really thought much about it or have dismissed the topic for various reasons. Hopefully this series has helped you to be more proactive in either finding out what your gift is or using the gift you have.
Another function of a pastor is to promote unity. Paul highlights how important the body is and how we all need to work together and build each other up and hold each other up. We need to strengthen one another and support one another. A pastor will be clear that we were not meant to fly solo. We are all individuals but we survive as a group.
Just like the analogy of taking one ember out of the fire causes it to grow cold so the same will happen if I decide to separate myself from the flock. If I pull away from God's people I will spiral downward (or continue to since if I'm pulling away I've already started my downward spiral). In order for the church to function as a body it needs to be a collective effort-all hands on deck.
A pastor also inspires the flock to gain knowledge and to grow and mature so they would be full in Christ. A growing Christian is one who is reaching their potential. Two weeks ago I shared 2nd Pet. 1:3 that said God's divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. And the purpose of this power is to use it to grow and be full in the things of Christ.
2nd Pet. 1:5-8, "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Effective and productive-that's what happens when we are growing. We'll be able to escape the corruption of the world because we'll be stronger to resist it. The more full of Christ we are the less we'll be taken captive by false teachings and the cunning, crafty and deceitful ways of man. And we'll be more equipped to do the work of the kingdom.
And pastors are called to speak the truth in love. The truth can be harsh and abrasive. It's a matter-of-fact, in-your-face reality check. Telling someone that they're going to hell if they aren't born-again is a shocking revelation. We need to present that truth in love; confirming that although God judges sin he loves them and longs to set them free. And if we need to correct or rebuke a fellow believer, love communicates that God's desire is for them to cast off that which is entangling them and become free.
Jesus combined love and shepherding to Peter. After the resurrection when Jesus reinstated Peter, he asked him three times if he loved him. After each response of Peter's responses, Jesus had responses of his own.
John 21:15-17, "When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep."
Three different responses-feed my lambs, take care of my sheep and feed my sheep. Jesus isn't being redundant; they each mean different things although they all pertain to the same category. "Feed my lambs". Jesus wants Peter to give the word to the young ones in the faith. When we first come to Christ we need milk, not solid food. We need to learn the foundational truths of scripture; the basics. We need to learn about the importance of prayer, church, bible study; things like that.
"Take care of my sheep". The sheep were the older ones in the faith. Take care of them-watch over them-protect them-care for their needs-be there for them. We need to take care of the lambs as well. "Feed my sheep". When we grow and mature we move onto solid food-the deeper things of the word. We learn about and study more in-depth topics like defending the faith against other beliefs and doctrinally debatable topics; things like that.
Peter took Jesus' words to heart. And he instructed the elders that followed him to do the same. 1st Pet. 5:1-4, "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away."
The Greek word for shepherd means to lead, tend to and look after the sheep. The Chief Shepherd is Christ. All Pastors need to remember who's authority they're under and who is judging their conduct and character.
Jesus went after the religious leaders so strongly because they were supposed to be shepherding the people but they were doing a bad job. In Matt. 9:36 and Mark 6:34 it says that Jesus had compassion on the people because they were like sheep without a shepherd.
Peter said pastors need to take care of the flock, not because they feel they have to do it but because they are willing to. They do it because it's their desire and passion. And I think typically one would be able to tell whether or not a pastor was doing their job for the right reasons by how they minister to the people. Does it show that he cares about them? Does he spend any time trying to get to know them? Does he confront sin? Does he care how he presents the word? Is he eager to serve?
Unfortunately, some pastors are in it for money or power or some other reason. But then there are those that take their duty humbly and seriously and understand that it's a great responsibility and the flock is always on their hearts and minds.
Peter said pastors need to be an example to the flock. Paul said in 1st Cor. 11:1, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Pastors need to epitomize the character of Christ. They need to show the church what living the Christian life looks like. They need to be an example of what they are preaching. Being contradictory will be detrimental to the flock. Being a shepherd of God's people is a gift and a blessing.
2) Administration.
1st Cor. 12:27-28, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues."
It's interesting that it says "gifts (plural) of administration" as it does earlier regarding healing. According to the JFB commentary, the plurality refers to the culmination of abilities within the subject. In the gifts of healing, or the gift of healings, as it's sometimes referred, it's likened to what Jesus said in Matt. 10:1, "He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." Here the variation of abilities are described; hence the plurality.
In regards to the gifts of administration, the plurality no doubt pertains to the multiple functions of this gift. Interestingly, in my research the true description and functionality of this gift was hard to nail down. It seemed to include a variety of functions or offices.
KJV-governments instead of administration. This makes sense because when talking about the president you often hear the word administration attached to it (the Trump administration). This refers to the president's staff that manages the affairs of the organization.
In Daniel chapt. 2, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and he summoned his astrologers and magicians to not only interpret the dream but tell him what the dream was. They said it was impossible-no one could do that. Then, Daniel was brought in and he did the impossible. Neby recognized God and he put Daniel in charge of Babylon. At Daniel's request, Neby made Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon.
In 2 Kings, administrator was used to refer to a palace administrator (Hilkiah and his son Eliakim were such). So in these cases, an administrator is one who manages or supervises. They are also seen as a public official.
When it comes to the church it can pertain to a person who manages the affairs of the church or who handles the politics of the church. The Greek word for administration means, "to steer a ship or to guide". This could be seen as the ability to steer a church toward the fulfillment of its goals by managing its affairs and implementing necessary plans. This person understands what the church needs in order to accomplish goals.
A leader may come up with plans and goals in an overall sense but not know how best to carry out the details where the administrator will be able to envision and determine how the plan can be carried out. They are detail oriented and typically well-organized.
The Greek word for administer means practical helping as well as referring to the handling of finances. We see this in 2nd Cor. 8:16-21, "I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.
And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men."
Someone with the gift of administration would be gifted with the ability to properly handle, be accountable for and wisely distribute funds. One of the synonyms listed for administer is do paperwork. These are the functions that are primarily thought of today when the word administrator is used; someone who takes care of running an office.
Because they are organized and detail oriented they have a proper and well managed filing system. They make and take phone calls, place orders, pay bills, handle finances, keep records, do the banking and anything else pertaining to the operations of the church on the business side of things.
Some who have this gift may have a job in this field. And being office personnel in the workforce transfers into their role in the church too. I can be trained to do office work so it might not be looked at as a gift but the thing to remember is that there are those who have a knack or ability (gift) where it comes natural to them to be able to do the aforementioned things.
In fact, to them it wouldn't be that much of a chore but rather something they actually desire. Therefore, they are gifted by God to be useful in this capacity and although they may use their gift in relation to their job, it blossoms and grows when they use it for the benefit of the church. These are the gifts of administration.
I wanted to do this series on spiritual gifts to incite a greater focus on using our gifts to create more involvement and growth than what there already is. I said earlier that a pastor has the ability to promote spiritual growth. But there's a misconception that numbers equals success. And therefore if you have a small church you don't have a healthy or successful church.
Karl Vaters, in, "The Myth of Inevitable Growth. Not all healthy churches grow numerically—and that's okay", writes: "Every healthy church will inevitably grow. I used to believe that. After all, I've read about the "truth" of inevitable congregational growth in virtually every church leadership book. I even taught it myself. I don't believe it any more. It's a myth.
Certainly the growth of the universal church is inevitable. Jesus said he'd build it, and he has. But that universal church growth doesn't necessarily translate into the numerical growth of individual congregations—even healthy ones. How can I state that seemingly counter-intuitive fact with such confidence? Consider this: Some churches grow numerically without being healthy. There have been healthy churches for 2,000 years, but mega-churches are a very recent phenomenon.
Recently, I wrote a blog post listing five essential elements of a healthy small church. One reader commented that any church that was following such principles "won't be small for long!" While I appreciate this sentiment, the truth is many churches that do all the right things stay small, mine included.
For the last three decades of my pastoral ministry, a month hasn't gone by without someone telling me my church was on the verge of explosive growth. For years I believed the voices. It was encouraging, after all. And I want my church to grow. But as the years dragged on, that unmet expectation of numerical growth laid such a heavy burden on me that it nearly killed my ministry and my very healthy church.
I spent years trying to fix a church that wasn't broken. And I broke it and myself in the process—almost permanently. Twelve years ago we had 200 attendees, eight years ago there were 200, two years ago there were 200, and today—you guessed it—there are 200 attendees. That puts us on the upper end of small, but that's still considered a small church.
During that time, the church has steadily become as healthy, outward-focused, friendly, and worshipful as any church I know. Are we perfect? Far from it. Have I made mistakes that have hindered possible chances for growth? Undoubtedly. I still think numerical growth is possible; it's just not inevitable.
Yes, all healthy things grow. But my physical body hasn't grown since I was in my early 20s. That doesn't mean I stopped being healthy at that point. I still grow. But now I grow in other ways. Spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and more.
It's the same for churches. If your church isn't healthy, work on that. But if your church is healthy, don't let lack of numerical growth convince you it's not. Keep at it. Dig deeper into other, more important areas of growth. Reach out, in, up, and down. Thank God for your healthy small church."
Karl Vaters is pastor of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Fountain Valley, California.
