What can church and parents do to stop our young people from leaving the church? How can we reach our kids minds and hearts? Dr. Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, offers some great advice to churches and parents. Read his interview with Answers in Genesis here: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v4/n4/church-change.

11　And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
12　for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13　until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, [growing]  into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14　Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15　But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ. 16　From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part (Eph 4:11-16, HCSB).

The ultimate goal of our gifting and calling by God to serve Him in the church is the growth or maturity of the body. Is that your goal as an individual believer? Verses 13-16 describe what this goal of building up the body of Christ looks like.

The goal defined (v. 13): "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, [growing] into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness." Verse 13 answers the question, "How long will this continue?" Answer: Until we all reach the goal of unity, knowledge, and maturity as measured by Christ Himself. We are to come to complete conformity to Christ as the standard of perfection.

The Marks of Maturity

Verses 14-16 show us the results of attaining the goal of verse 13. First, we will be marked by Truth or doctrinal stability (v. 14): "Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit."

False doctrine is a hook God uses to draw false brethren away from the true church. Genuine believers are known for holding fast to the truth. There are many false teachers who use "human cunning and cleverness" to mislead and exploit people. Another version translates this phrase as: "ingenuity in inventing error" (Goodspeed). True believers do not "invent doctrine" but rather discover the doctrine of Scripture. Cleverness, novelty, and innovation in doctrine are not really things to celebrate in those who teach God’s Word. Faithfulness, clarity, and unity are traits to be praised.

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ (Col 2:8, NKJV).

A second mark of maturity is Love (v. 15): "But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ." Also, in verse 16: "building up itself in love." The phrase "speaking the truth," can be translated "hold the truth," "follow the truth," "pursue the truth," "live in the truth." Also, "let our lives lovingly express truth in all things—speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly" (Amplified Bible). How committed are you to truth? Do others see you that way?

How committed are you to love? Do others see you that way?

What do you love? What do you love more than anything else? Henry Scougal wrote, "The worth and excellence of a soul is to be measured by the object of its love." You become like that which you love. Do you love Christ? Do you love Him enough to put His priorities and concerns before your own? Tell me what you love and I will tell you the condition of your heart and soul.

A third mark of maturity for the church is Service (v. 16): "From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part."

As we draw our life from Christ our head, the body is nourished and strengthened. The body is seen as a unit, "fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament." How are you supporting the body? Are you joined to the body in such a way as to be supported yourself? This is how the church "promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love." No member of the church is to be left out. We grow into maturity as a church "by the proper working of each individual part."

How should you serve God? How has God gifted you? What ministry has God placed on your heart? There is a place for you that God has uniquely prepared, gifted, and called you to serve.

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody would not do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

11　And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12　for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13　till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:11-13, NKJV).

Last time we considered the job of a pastor, now we turn our attention to the saints (believers in general). In a previous article we saw that God’s Word says the saints are to carry out "the work of ministry," and we defined that as whatever role God has for you that either directly or indirectly fulfills the Great Commission—making disciples (Matt 28:19-20).

We also saw the process of ministry as follows: (1) The gifted men (evangelists, pastor/teachers) equip the saints, (2) the saints then serve (using their own gifts, see Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12; 1 Pet 4:10-11), (3) the body is then built up or edified and we all grow into maturity.

So every Christian is to contribute to this goal of spiritual maturity (Christlikeness). But you may be wondering, "Am I really qualified to do ministry?" Well, it may help to consider the qualifications of the original 12 disciples of Jesus. Here’s how one consulting firm evaluated the disciples:

To: Jesus, son of Joseph
Woodcrafter, Carpenter shop, Nazareth.

From Jordan Management Consultants

Dear Sir,

Thank you for submitting resumes of the 12 men you have picked for management positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; we not only ran the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.

It is our opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education, and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.

SIMON PETER is unstable and given to fits of temper. ANDREW has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, JAMES AND JOHN, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty. THOMAS demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale.

We feel it is our duty to tell you that MATTHEW has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau. JAMES, the son of Alpheus, and THADDEUS definitely have radical leanings, and they registered a high score on the manic depressive scale. SIMON THE ZEALOT, having pronounced terrorist leanings, would blow apart the harmony of the team.

One of the candidates however, shows great potential. He is a man of great ability, and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind, and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious and responsible. We recommend JUDAS ISCARIOT as your controller and right hand man. All of the other profiles are self-explanatory.

We wish you every success in your new venture.

Sincerely yours,
JORDAN MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS


Obviously God’s qualifications are not those of the world. God is glorified in using the unlikely to accomplish the extraordinary.

26　For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27　But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28　and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29　that no flesh should glory in His presence (1 Cor 1:26-29, NKJV).

You might say, "But I have so many inadequacies. I don’t have what it takes." Great! You are just the kind of person God can use!

9　And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10　Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor 12:9-10, NKJV).

When you choose to rely on the Lord to serve Him you become the most qualified person to be used by Him. All He requires is a willing heart. Are you willing to let God use you in ministry? God doesn’t need your ability, but your availability.

In light of previous posts on the church, I think it would do us some good to examine the expectations we place on a pastor. Are they realistic? Even better, are they biblical? Where do we get a job description for a pastor? What if we were to poll church members and come up with a composite summation? Well, we might just end up with the following want ad. One wonders who would apply for the job.

"Minister Wanted"

A real challenge for the right man. Opportunity to become better acquainted with people. Limitless benefits! Applicant must offer experience and know-how as:

Office Manager, educator, artist, theologian, circus clown, audio engineer, politician, salesman, diplomat, writer, missionary, traffic cop, psychologist, funeral director, wedding consultant, master of ceremonies, athlete, and teenage specialist.

Must know all about the problems of birth, schooling, marriage, children, diets, and death. Also conversant with the latest theories and practice in economics, nuclear science, nutrition, pediatrics, and women’s liberation.

Right man will hold firm views on every subject, but is careful not to upset people who disagree. Must smile habitually, sing softly. Must be forthright, but flexible; return backbiting and gossip with Christian love and instant forgiveness.

Should have friendly disposition 24 hours a day. Must be a captivating speaker and intent listener.

Education preferably beyond Ph.D. requirements, but always concealed in homespun modesty and folksy tale. Able to sound learned, however. Familiar with literature read by congregational members. Will spend at least 30 hours per week in the study, but remain ever available and adaptable to sudden interruption.

Must certainly be "up" on current events, novels, the arts, and periodicals – reading a minimum of 15 hours weekly in fields outside the ministry.

Applicant’s wife must be both stunning and plain – smartly attired, but conservative in appearance. Gracious, yet discerning, loving, yet disciplined. Efficient, yet casual and available. Must be thrilled to work in church kitchen, teach Sunday school, run copy machine, baby sit, never become discouraged, never listen to gossip, and yet be fully aware of all church problems so she might "pray more intelligently."

Applicant’s children must be clean-cut, all-American models. No long hair, beards, mustaches, bare feet, overalls, or pukka-shell necklaces. Well-behaved, yet no different from other youths at church. Tanned and handsome, but seldom at the beach (unless witnessing). Present and quiet at all church services.

Applicant’s auto must not be new…or old. Adequate, but not stylish. No van, camper, sports car, convertible, or motorcycle permitted. Home near the church and always available for gatherings. Must be neither large nor small, lest others feel uneasy. Swimming pool questionable, since family must appear humble, slightly strained, decent, and unoffensive.

Directly responsible for views and conduct of all church members and visitors. Impervious to criticism, yet teachable and transparent. Visionary, yet budget-minded. Creative, yet traditional. Defender of the faith, yet pleasant and positive.

All replies kept confidential. Anyone applying must undergo full battery of exams…to determine sanity. (Source unknown)

Ridiculous? You bet. Exaggeration? Sure. But is there some truth to it? Yep! While you won’t find this want ad listed in any employment directory, many churches post them in the pew.

How thankful I am that I have not encountered this perspective here in our church! So what is a pastor to do? We don’t have to guess. God’s Word tells us plainly that Christ gave to the church gifts including that of pastor-teacher, "for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ" (Eph 4:12, HCSB).

What are the qualifications for a pastor? Again, God’s Word doesn’t leave us in the dark. You may read those qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. You will find there that almost all of the qualifications have to do with character qualities. Only one qualification has to do with function and that is to be able to teach God’s Word and refute those who contradict it.

Training season never ends this side of eternity. When the church is not trained, the ministry will flounder. As your pastor, you can count on me to provide training for your spiritual growth and personal ministry. Two questions for you to consider at this point: (1) Do you see yourself in need of training? (2) What kind of ministry does the Lord have for you to put that training into practice?