The Pastoral Office
Colossians 1:23-2:3
Preaching Notes – June 10, 2012
Colossians 1:24-2:3
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
All are called by God
We believe you are here because God called you here
God called you for 2 Purposes – Genesis 12:1-3
1. To be blessed
2. To be a blessing to us and through us
High value on God’s ministry through you, here
Members have always been the strength of every church
God speaks to and through you
God works through you
Comparison to the call on Pastors
Sisters of St. Joseph’s
Nun servings at hospital CEO
Nuns typically known for compassionate ministry
Shift of Minister’s work from Pastor to Administrator
CEO-Executive
Visionary-Leader
Customer Service-Community Relations
Degrades the role of both pastor and parishioner
Mega-churches diminished role of parishioner
bean counted, bean supplier, happy customer
Paul’s understanding of his call
Intro to his letters
Servant of Christ Jesus
Prisoner of Christ Jesus
Apostle set apart for the Gospel
of Jesus Christ by will of God
sent by God
Servant defines who is His Lord
Prisoner defines his loss of free will
Apostle defines his role
Paul’s call as an Apostle – from Letter to Colossians 1:24-2:3
To make the Word of God fully known (1:25)
To his saints (those who received his grace) (1:26)
1. Warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom (1:28)
2. Present everyone mature in Christ (1:28)
3. That their hearts may be encouraged (2:2)
4. Being knit together in love (2:2)
5. To give full assurance of understanding & knowledge of God (2:3)
Paul’s fulfillment of his call as Apostle in all his letters
3 types of writings in his letters
Teaching – God and His ways
Application – how to live God’s way
Exhortation – encouragement and motivation
A Ministry of the Word – Peter in Acts 6:4
We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word
Expectations for Pastor’s in Today’s Church
CEO, Visionary, Growth, Recruiter, Customer Relations, Deacon
Paul never took on these roles
These roles filled by members of church, see Acts and Paul’s Letters
Eugene Peterson’s understanding in The Pastor
Preacher – teach the Word
Priest – pray for God to work
Pastor – care and counseling
Helping you see and find God in your life
Helping you make sense of God’s work in your life
NOT – fixing or managing you
NOT – fixing or managing ministry
==> My emphasis on
Elder’s as spiritual leaders
Parishioners as servants doing God’s ministry
Any time a Pastor expends energy as CEO Minister
The ministry of the Word is diminished in the church
==> our ministry is diminished
I do not want to build a “pastor-centered” ministry
Different Roles
Pastor – Bring the Word
Elders – Lead according to the Word
Members – Ministry of the Word
As members you are called here by God for a purpose
What is He calling you to do?
This is your ministry work
Not
I would like … this is not a question servants or prisoners answer
A call for someone else to do
To complain about ministry
Focus on
His Word to You
His call for you
His work through you
He has placed you in this community
To do this ministry
Not alone, but as part of the body
Share His call with appropriate Ministry Team
Let Ministry Team affirm His call for you
Work within Ministry Team to fulfill this call
When we get it wrong
Visiting at VPC ==> neglect of the ministry of The Word
Bread Crumbs - Devotions for Life 