About ten or so years ago, maybe more, there was much said about the five-fold ministries. The church model had become a Moses model. The pastor was put in the number one spot and expected to lead as Moses lead. However we see in the New Testament a different model. One of shared leadership. The pastor is still vitally important but others are important as well. We get a glimpse of that here in Acts 13.
Acts 13:1–2 (NIV84) — 1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
There is within pastors the desire to be the solo helmsman. It is easier. They want to be the one to make the final decisions for the church. There is something to be said for that, but here the pastor is absent and the prophets and teachers are center stage. I guess you could look at this passage differently but the Lord spoke to me today and told me how much I needed the prophets and teachers. Only one person can actually move the rudder of a ship. It is a silly picture to have 5 people on the wheel. However there are other important jobs like navigation, engineering, even managing the crew. I think of prophets like navigators. They are vital to go in the right direction towards your destination. Navigators arise! Captains, listen to your navigator!
There is another key in this passage. They were gathered. Worshipping. Fasting. Listening for the Holy Spirit's directions. There was no power struggle. Just a desire to see God's will done. I think they knew that was the best way to see God's Kingdom come.
Acts 13:1–2 (NIV84) — 1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
There is within pastors the desire to be the solo helmsman. It is easier. They want to be the one to make the final decisions for the church. There is something to be said for that, but here the pastor is absent and the prophets and teachers are center stage. I guess you could look at this passage differently but the Lord spoke to me today and told me how much I needed the prophets and teachers. Only one person can actually move the rudder of a ship. It is a silly picture to have 5 people on the wheel. However there are other important jobs like navigation, engineering, even managing the crew. I think of prophets like navigators. They are vital to go in the right direction towards your destination. Navigators arise! Captains, listen to your navigator!
There is another key in this passage. They were gathered. Worshipping. Fasting. Listening for the Holy Spirit's directions. There was no power struggle. Just a desire to see God's will done. I think they knew that was the best way to see God's Kingdom come.
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