Editorial: We All Must Do the Work of the Ministry

By Jerry Fulton

Contrary to popular belief and practice, the pastor is not to be the only one going about doing the work of the ministry. In fact, the pastor’s primary task is to be an equipper, a person who makes disciples and prepares them to serve Christ. No church will reach its full potential as long as the members are depending on the pastor to do all the work.

Some have the idea that a pastor is paid to do all of the visiting, all of the counseling, all of the teaching, all of the administration, and handle all of the disputes that arise in the church, but such an idea is not based on Scripture.

Every believer receives at least one spiritual gift from God when he or she accepts Christ as personal Savior. Again, it is the duty of the pastor to develop believers into mature Christlike men and women who serve the Lord.

The only way a pastor can help a person to “grow up in all things” is to proclaim God’s Word. Therefore, he must be given time to spend in God’s Word and prayer.

In Acts 6:1-6 it is recorded,

1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Deacons are to assist the pastor in the area of benevolence so the pastor’s ministry of the Word will not be disturbed. Mature believers are to exercise their spiritual gifts of giving, mercy, exhortation, evangelism etc., so the pastor can lead in discipling the saints.

At the same time, pastors should not begrudge members the privilege of exercising their spiritual gifts. Micromanaging (controlling every aspect of the church’s ministry) is ineffective. No one man can do it all.
So, to church members and pastors, if your want your church to grow, share the work of the ministry.

Paul said it best in Ephesians 4:11-13,
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.