I look out my window overseeing the city and watch people doing their best to build a shelter using only one post.  Our city is in need of shelters for people lost,

hurt, deceived, and bound by darkness.  Unfortunately it is not working.  The best that gets accomplished is a rag-tag tent that keeps some rain off but does little to shield the raging storms people are seeking shelter from.  The character being built by the few faithful trying to erect a shelter with only one post has been honed to a razor sharpness.  “Quitting” has long been vanquished in their vocabulary, and I say this as the highest compliment.  In the depth of their soul they know a shelter must be in place and somehow, some way, they will build one.

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

– Ephesians 4:11-13

God reveals a great plan in Ephesians with the five-fold ministry, unfortunately by and large we have ignored it.  If we were to rewrite the plan in light of how it is we would say, “It was He who gave some to be pastors, some to be pastors, some to be pastors, and some to be pastors and pastors who teach to prepare God’s people for works of service….”  I know some have recognized this and call themselves apostles or prophets, etc., but then most (not al)l act as pastors.  Actions demonstrate beliefs.  If God calls someone to be an apostle or prophet then why is a pastor the only position available in the church?  It may seem subtle.  You may be thinking what does it matter if people call a person a pastor when they know their called to be an apostle?  What it matters is that we have set up a system of worship we call church that doesn’t acknowledge or have a place for 3 or 4 leaders within the five fold ministry.  The ones that recognize that, feels helpless to effect change, just go with it and say they are a pastor/apostle or pastor/prophet.  This sounds good, but works bad and here’s why.  God gave those five ministry’s that they might work together to equip the saints.  He didn’t give one ministry to act out the other four roles by themselves.  Calling someone a pastor/anything is calling someone to be a part-time pastor.  The way most churches are set up the pastor is pastor/apostle/prophet/evangelist/teacher.  This works great if you want to burn someone out.  It works great to put the pastor in the position to work outside of his anointing.  I’m sorry God did not call one person to fulfill multiple roles and whenever we walk outside of God’s purpose and calling for our life we find religion, a process void of life, not anointed ministry.

I honestly have to take my hat off to pastors.  Out of all of the five-fold they are the ones who have been visible.  They have been doing the best they can out on the front lines doing their job and filling in everywhere else there was a void.  Pastors are the gate keepers of a city and they know it in the depth of their being.  That is why no matter how bad, how hard, how hurt they get they just continue to keep on, keeping on.  I commend that mighty steadfast spirit.  I thank God for the noble pastors He has placed in our cities.  I pray and want to do all I can to help them.  Being a gate is awesome if there is a wall to attach it to.  Gates by themselves keep nothing out.  Gates are part of the wall, not the whole wall.  If the wall takes the day off it is not the gates fault the sheep were ravaged.

It is no different than asking a single parent to be a mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, aunt, and uncle to raise a family.  Can it be done?  Yes, of course.  That is grace.  Is it God’s best?  No.  It is easier to be successful when that parent has the support God intended.  Trying to fill the void of multiple roles is only done by the grace of God and certainly not according to His best.

My encouragement to Pastors is do not be afraid of being replaced.  It is a partnership that God desires, much like a prudent wife is a blessing.  God wants to empower you and set you free.  He has relationships predestined to help you fulfill the purpose He has called you to.  May the hunger inside to walk in your God-given calling move you to ask God to reveal the other 4/5 of the five-fold.  Don’t worry if you don’t see it right now, you will.  If, you’re a pastor and, you find the apostle to govern, the prophet to guide, the evangelist to gather, and the teacher to mature then you will also discover a new-found surge of life in the body as you are empowered to guard and lead the flock. No longer will you have to struggle with doubt and unbelief wondering if your governance was wise, your direction anointed, etc.  You will have the support God intended you to have.  You will see the fruit as your dearly beloved flock are equipped and begin to walk in the world as Jesus did.  The flock, equipped, matured, now understand and move in the great commission, “Go into all the world.” Now a reality that “all the world” doesn’t mean giving money so someone can go overseas for a mission trip, but actually applies to where they work, where they have been led by the Spirit.  God is calling saints into government, education, arts and entertainment, media, business, family, and the church.  These are the seven pillars of culture that define all nations and this is the world.  The adversary works extremely hard for the saints in the world to remain silent and blend in.  A mature saint cannot blend in.  Once equipped a person working as a legal secretary has the opportunity not to preach a message to lawyers and clients but to be a message, so that people may see and taste the presence of God.  Mature Saints change the atmosphere where they work much like Jesus did.  They bring the Kingdom of God to earth and share the gospel of the Kingdom – God’s government on the earth – by living, not preaching – they reign in life.

Fear will come and ask questions that only God can answer.  “What if” questions. What if these other gifts are across the street at another church?  What if I lose my job?  What if God abandon’s me?  These questions, driven by fear will come, and you must conquer them.  Here’s the easiest way:  act.  Let God’s good, perfect, pleasing will be done and know that He has the best for you, your family, your church, your city, your state, your nation.  Better and more than you hope for.  We must step outside of fear and into faith, trusting God’s plan.  Let Him lead you where you haven’t been before.  He gave 5 gifts to the church.  He didn’t give one gift, pastors, and ask that to cover for the other four.  Try erecting a building with only one support.  Build your house with one pillar.  You may be able to build a tent, but you will never build anything that will last without a sound, solid, foundation.

We may all need to repent, good, who doesn’t.  We’re Christians, we’re followers of Christ.  We’re not perfect, but we’re striving to know Him and walk like Jesus did.  Let us embrace a course correction when it is from God.  Embrace a change when it is from God.  God only has good in store for you.  Embrace the good future He has prepared from the beginning of time.

There are certainly some people who are so uniquely talented that they can be a “one-man band,” but I guarantee they will never be mistaken for a symphony.

What God has for us is better than a symphony.  May God reveal your gifts, divine connections, and purpose that you may play your part in His master symphony.