Post by Zac Loh on May 1, 2009 7:22:58 GMT -5
`Pastor’ in the original Greek is `poimen’ meaning `a herdsman, a shepherd’.
In the Old Testament, a shepherd of God, such as Moses and David, had great authority i.e. a one man figurehead. They were symbolic of the Lordship and Kingship of Jesus Christ.
Today, no one is to have such a great authority because Jesus came and fulfilled the law and the prophets, so that the `One Man’ leadership is transferred to Jesus Christ Himself.
Only Jesus is that `One Man’. He ascended and sits at the right hand of the Father.
We long to see the face of One Man, Jesus Christ, the Son of Man.
No human being should dare to be the face of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only figurehead who we look to; only He is the author and perfecter of our faith.
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:14-16)
The role of pastors-teachers is to manifest the great Shepherd and Chief Shepherd who is Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4).
We have many pastors but Only One great Shepherd and Chief Shepherd.
No pastor-teacher should manifest himself, and put himself as that One Man.
Much abuse and manipulation is caused by the looking-up to that one human at such a level.
Jesus Christ is also the Shepherd and Overseer of our soul:
For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)
Nobody can shepherd our soul like Jesus. He is the One who said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Only Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, can watch you all the time.
People leave. People die. Only Jesus can, and will, be with us forever.
Paul’s Example
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Paul taught them Jesus. But no one was able to see the teachings of Jesus being fleshed-out in real life.
So, Paul urged them to follow him as he follows Christ. In this way, they will understand better when they see how Paul lived the teachings.
Conversely, when Paul didn’t mirror the teachings: DON’T FOLLOW.
Only follow Paul AS he follows Christ.
They would know if Paul didn’t follow because they already have the teachings of Jesus on hand.
It is good to have a senior believer as an example. A local pastor-teacher can be an example. But that’s not the primary role of a local pastor-teacher.
In real practical sense, true to life, how many actually know how their pastor-teacher lives?
Do they really know what their pastor-teacher is like, besides their experience from the pew or during close-door discussions or at dinner or at tea?
All senior believers ought to be examples to the new ones. All of us should be accessible.
Possible History Of The 5-Fold Concept
Historically, the ministry of pastor-teacher was categorically separated to pastor and teacher; which has made the 5-fold concept popular as what it is.
The fact is the ministry of manifesting the great Shepherd is spiritual. Since the spiritual can have no distance especially with books, audio, visual, internet medium; you can receive the ministry of a pastor-teacher without having him/her physically present.
Paul ministered to different local churches by his letters sent. In his letter to the Romans, he hadn’t even met them!
For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Corinthians 5:3-4)
From the above scripture, Paul stated that he was with the Corinthians in spirit, even thought he wasn’t physically present.
Let me clarify that I am not saying that a pastor-teacher shouldn’t be physically present to specially cater to a local church nor am I saying that there shouldn’t be a pastor-teacher leading a local flock/church/congregation.
But what I am saying is that our minds have been locked-in and fixated: that a local church must have a physically present pastor-teacher.
I believe that this mentality has somewhat influence to a degree the 5-fold concept: meaning a pastor-teacher who is physically present plus exclusively catering to a local church, we called, a pastor.
And, a pastor-teacher who is not physically present or exclusively catering to a local church, we called, a teacher.
To me: no one can replace Jesus who wants to be with us all the time. Any pastor-teacher can manifest the great Shepherd to me. There is no exclusivity.
There is no barrier to ministry in distance because it is spiritual.
The fact is we need pastors-teachers: both physically present and non-physically present.
To have an exclusive local pastor-teacher catering to us on a permanent basis is a viable option, but not mandatory.
But it is good to have relationship with at least one pastor-teacher whom we can easily access even though he may be an itinerant pastor-teacher or a pastor-teacher catering to another local church; he who has the time for us on a one-to-one individual basis.
I have such a relationship with a few such pastors-teachers whom I can quite easily access to.
Prayerfully select whom you be ministered to, near and far. The ministers can change at different seasons. BUT ONLY JESUS REMAINS. FOR OUR GOD IS A JEALOUS GOD.
For some, idolatry is the cause why God took certain local pastor away.
My conclusion: because of this separation of the pastor and the teacher, the 5-fold concept remains quite unchallenged.
The Lord Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23)
The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were: - to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep - to defend the sheep from attackers - to heal the wounded and sick sheep - to find and save lost or trapped sheep - to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (verse 1)
The pastor-teacher is only as good as when he/she expresses and ministers the great Shepherd Jesus Christ, to the people. Only the great Shepherd can satisfy our needs and wants. People don’t want anybody else as a substitute.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (John 10:27)
The pastor-teacher speaks the voice of the great Shepherd. The pastor-teacher speaks as he/she hears the voice of the great Shepherd.
The leadership of the great Shepherd is manifested when the pastor-teacher is led by the great Shepherd and speaks the voice of the great Shepherd.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. (verse 2)
Green pastures speak of the fresh nutritious word of God that sheep munch and chew to be healthy and strong. To lie down, the sheep has to be comfortable. Only a good teacher can make the sheep lie down comfortably to take-in the Word of God.
But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?” But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. So they all ate and were filled. (Mark 6:37-42)
Loaves of bread and meat of fishes speak of the Word of God. We all need to eat the Word of God. Pastors-teachers feed us.
Jesus commanded the people to sit down in groups, and they sat down in ranks (groups arranged in rows), in groups of hundreds and fifties. In feeding the people, Jesus did it in a systematic manner. This is the feature of a teacher.
Rough water could choke and drown the sheep. So the shepherd leads the flock to a calm part of the stream to drink.
Rough water is due to the force of gravity at a slope. Gravity is earthbound. It speaks of the flesh. Horizontal speaks of fairness or righteousness. A slope means an unbalanced weighing scale.
The pastor-teacher must lead the people to the true Spirit of God. The people need to drink. But they must be taught how to discern between the Spirit of God, the flesh and the counterfeit spirits.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. (verse 3)
Because we eat the rich Word of God (the green pastures, not dried dying grass) and drink of the true Spirit of God (not mixture with the flesh or with the counterfeit spirits) …our soul is restored …from the hustle and bustle of life, from the pain and hurt of life, from the down and twist of life.
When our soul is restored, we have the strength to walk in the paths of righteousness in this crooked world, and be a testimony to many people.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (verse 4)
• The rod had a knob at one end. It was used to hit and drive away predators of the sheep.
The pastor-teacher has the anointing through prayer, the spoken word, preaching and teaching – to defend the flock from spiritual predators - to drive away spirits attacking believers.
These predators are demonic spirits in believers’ life (situation and circumstance), and over their minds and bodies. They include deceptive demonic spirits perpetuating wrong thoughts and wrong teachings to the people of God.
The pastor-teacher exercises spiritual discernment, spiritual courage and spiritual skill in confronting these spiritual enemies.
• The staff has a hook at one end, to gently pull the straying sheep at the neck.
The pastor-teacher through prayer, the spoken word, preaching and teaching – manifest such an anointing that will draw the sheep back. There is both authority and love of the great Shepherd evident.
The pastor-teacher carries the heart of the great Shepherd in interceding for believers. The pastor-teacher displays the heart of the great Shepherd by the way he/she woos the spiritual sheep.
The pastor-teacher, through teaching, guides the sheep back.
We are comforted because the great Shepherd Jesus uses pastors-teachers to protect us spiritually, and to keep us from being astray.
But ultimately, the great Shepherd Himself is with us, who never leave us nor forsake us.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. (verse 5)
As a result of the ministry of the pastor-teacher, we are so secure in Jesus Christ. There is a deep sense of spiritual security. The pastor-teacher helps us to have personal security because of Jesus. This is greatly contributed by the anointing of the pastor-teacher spilling over to us, touching us and impacting us. One of the greatest fulfillments in life is having a strong personal security at the inside of us. We will leap because we will overflow with peace and joy.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. (verse 6)
The strong personal security in Christ which is real, will give us such confidence, the faith to never leave Jesus nor forsake Jesus; just as He Himself never leave us nor forsake us.
One of the prayers of Jesus in John 17 is that God will keep us.
“The Lord is my Shepherd”: the pastors-teachers are instrumental in making this happen.
In the Old Testament, a shepherd of God, such as Moses and David, had great authority i.e. a one man figurehead. They were symbolic of the Lordship and Kingship of Jesus Christ.
Today, no one is to have such a great authority because Jesus came and fulfilled the law and the prophets, so that the `One Man’ leadership is transferred to Jesus Christ Himself.
Only Jesus is that `One Man’. He ascended and sits at the right hand of the Father.
We long to see the face of One Man, Jesus Christ, the Son of Man.
No human being should dare to be the face of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only figurehead who we look to; only He is the author and perfecter of our faith.
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:14-16)
The role of pastors-teachers is to manifest the great Shepherd and Chief Shepherd who is Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4).
We have many pastors but Only One great Shepherd and Chief Shepherd.
No pastor-teacher should manifest himself, and put himself as that One Man.
Much abuse and manipulation is caused by the looking-up to that one human at such a level.
Jesus Christ is also the Shepherd and Overseer of our soul:
For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)
Nobody can shepherd our soul like Jesus. He is the One who said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Only Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, can watch you all the time.
People leave. People die. Only Jesus can, and will, be with us forever.
Paul’s Example
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Paul taught them Jesus. But no one was able to see the teachings of Jesus being fleshed-out in real life.
So, Paul urged them to follow him as he follows Christ. In this way, they will understand better when they see how Paul lived the teachings.
Conversely, when Paul didn’t mirror the teachings: DON’T FOLLOW.
Only follow Paul AS he follows Christ.
They would know if Paul didn’t follow because they already have the teachings of Jesus on hand.
It is good to have a senior believer as an example. A local pastor-teacher can be an example. But that’s not the primary role of a local pastor-teacher.
In real practical sense, true to life, how many actually know how their pastor-teacher lives?
Do they really know what their pastor-teacher is like, besides their experience from the pew or during close-door discussions or at dinner or at tea?
All senior believers ought to be examples to the new ones. All of us should be accessible.
Possible History Of The 5-Fold Concept
Historically, the ministry of pastor-teacher was categorically separated to pastor and teacher; which has made the 5-fold concept popular as what it is.
The fact is the ministry of manifesting the great Shepherd is spiritual. Since the spiritual can have no distance especially with books, audio, visual, internet medium; you can receive the ministry of a pastor-teacher without having him/her physically present.
Paul ministered to different local churches by his letters sent. In his letter to the Romans, he hadn’t even met them!
For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Corinthians 5:3-4)
From the above scripture, Paul stated that he was with the Corinthians in spirit, even thought he wasn’t physically present.
Let me clarify that I am not saying that a pastor-teacher shouldn’t be physically present to specially cater to a local church nor am I saying that there shouldn’t be a pastor-teacher leading a local flock/church/congregation.
But what I am saying is that our minds have been locked-in and fixated: that a local church must have a physically present pastor-teacher.
I believe that this mentality has somewhat influence to a degree the 5-fold concept: meaning a pastor-teacher who is physically present plus exclusively catering to a local church, we called, a pastor.
And, a pastor-teacher who is not physically present or exclusively catering to a local church, we called, a teacher.
To me: no one can replace Jesus who wants to be with us all the time. Any pastor-teacher can manifest the great Shepherd to me. There is no exclusivity.
There is no barrier to ministry in distance because it is spiritual.
The fact is we need pastors-teachers: both physically present and non-physically present.
To have an exclusive local pastor-teacher catering to us on a permanent basis is a viable option, but not mandatory.
But it is good to have relationship with at least one pastor-teacher whom we can easily access even though he may be an itinerant pastor-teacher or a pastor-teacher catering to another local church; he who has the time for us on a one-to-one individual basis.
I have such a relationship with a few such pastors-teachers whom I can quite easily access to.
Prayerfully select whom you be ministered to, near and far. The ministers can change at different seasons. BUT ONLY JESUS REMAINS. FOR OUR GOD IS A JEALOUS GOD.
For some, idolatry is the cause why God took certain local pastor away.
My conclusion: because of this separation of the pastor and the teacher, the 5-fold concept remains quite unchallenged.
The Lord Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23)
The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were: - to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep - to defend the sheep from attackers - to heal the wounded and sick sheep - to find and save lost or trapped sheep - to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (verse 1)
The pastor-teacher is only as good as when he/she expresses and ministers the great Shepherd Jesus Christ, to the people. Only the great Shepherd can satisfy our needs and wants. People don’t want anybody else as a substitute.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (John 10:27)
The pastor-teacher speaks the voice of the great Shepherd. The pastor-teacher speaks as he/she hears the voice of the great Shepherd.
The leadership of the great Shepherd is manifested when the pastor-teacher is led by the great Shepherd and speaks the voice of the great Shepherd.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. (verse 2)
Green pastures speak of the fresh nutritious word of God that sheep munch and chew to be healthy and strong. To lie down, the sheep has to be comfortable. Only a good teacher can make the sheep lie down comfortably to take-in the Word of God.
But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?” But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. So they all ate and were filled. (Mark 6:37-42)
Loaves of bread and meat of fishes speak of the Word of God. We all need to eat the Word of God. Pastors-teachers feed us.
Jesus commanded the people to sit down in groups, and they sat down in ranks (groups arranged in rows), in groups of hundreds and fifties. In feeding the people, Jesus did it in a systematic manner. This is the feature of a teacher.
Rough water could choke and drown the sheep. So the shepherd leads the flock to a calm part of the stream to drink.
Rough water is due to the force of gravity at a slope. Gravity is earthbound. It speaks of the flesh. Horizontal speaks of fairness or righteousness. A slope means an unbalanced weighing scale.
The pastor-teacher must lead the people to the true Spirit of God. The people need to drink. But they must be taught how to discern between the Spirit of God, the flesh and the counterfeit spirits.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. (verse 3)
Because we eat the rich Word of God (the green pastures, not dried dying grass) and drink of the true Spirit of God (not mixture with the flesh or with the counterfeit spirits) …our soul is restored …from the hustle and bustle of life, from the pain and hurt of life, from the down and twist of life.
When our soul is restored, we have the strength to walk in the paths of righteousness in this crooked world, and be a testimony to many people.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (verse 4)
• The rod had a knob at one end. It was used to hit and drive away predators of the sheep.
The pastor-teacher has the anointing through prayer, the spoken word, preaching and teaching – to defend the flock from spiritual predators - to drive away spirits attacking believers.
These predators are demonic spirits in believers’ life (situation and circumstance), and over their minds and bodies. They include deceptive demonic spirits perpetuating wrong thoughts and wrong teachings to the people of God.
The pastor-teacher exercises spiritual discernment, spiritual courage and spiritual skill in confronting these spiritual enemies.
• The staff has a hook at one end, to gently pull the straying sheep at the neck.
The pastor-teacher through prayer, the spoken word, preaching and teaching – manifest such an anointing that will draw the sheep back. There is both authority and love of the great Shepherd evident.
The pastor-teacher carries the heart of the great Shepherd in interceding for believers. The pastor-teacher displays the heart of the great Shepherd by the way he/she woos the spiritual sheep.
The pastor-teacher, through teaching, guides the sheep back.
We are comforted because the great Shepherd Jesus uses pastors-teachers to protect us spiritually, and to keep us from being astray.
But ultimately, the great Shepherd Himself is with us, who never leave us nor forsake us.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. (verse 5)
As a result of the ministry of the pastor-teacher, we are so secure in Jesus Christ. There is a deep sense of spiritual security. The pastor-teacher helps us to have personal security because of Jesus. This is greatly contributed by the anointing of the pastor-teacher spilling over to us, touching us and impacting us. One of the greatest fulfillments in life is having a strong personal security at the inside of us. We will leap because we will overflow with peace and joy.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. (verse 6)
The strong personal security in Christ which is real, will give us such confidence, the faith to never leave Jesus nor forsake Jesus; just as He Himself never leave us nor forsake us.
One of the prayers of Jesus in John 17 is that God will keep us.
“The Lord is my Shepherd”: the pastors-teachers are instrumental in making this happen.