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Nov 3
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Equipping The Saints posted by Yuen Woh Voon on Nov 03, 2011

Equipping God’s People

Pastors and ministers are not only required to “do” ministry but also to “equip the saints” for the work of ministry. Matthew 28:18-20 highlights the importance of “making disciples.” However, this important role of the pastor is often sacrificed as a result of the “tyranny of the urgent”.

The meaning of “equipping” in Ephesians 4:12 gives the idea of “fitting or preparing fully” or “a making fit” as we would “adjust” something in or on a person to make him “perfect.” The King James Version translates the Greek word “katartismo” as “perfecting,” implying a process leading to consummation (“perfection.”) Hence the role of pastors and other “five-fold” ministries must include equipping their people until they become complete (“perfect”) for the work of the ministry. The pastor will have failed in his job if the full potential of his people are not realized nor are they deployed to do the work of the ministry.

Evangelism Explosion (EE) is an organization that trains believers of different age-groups how to share their faith in Christ. EE’s rationale for equipping the saints is that it is far better to have every believer in the congregation sharing their faith rather than leaving it to the pastor alone.

Not only does this make common sense, it is also God’s way to build up the body of Christ so that the body becomes mature. The process of maturing takes place when people are serving, not when they are watching others serve. Jesus is a servant (he washed his disciples’ feet) and he declared as such (Hebrews 10:7). We are transformed into Christ’s image when we become a servant like Him (Rom 8:29.)

The best way to serve your flock is to help them obey the command of God. This is why Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” We are here to help build one another up in Christ. In our next post we will find out more about how to equip the saints on a practical level.



Category: Posts,Viewpoints,Worldwide Ministries   |  

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