Pastoral Gifts for Multiplication

 Hello! This is Multiply, a podcast to encourage church planters, pastors and Christian leaders, and I am your host today, Daneille Snowden.

I will simply be referring to the passage in Ephesians 4:11-15 today, please follow along.

 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds[c] and teachers,[d] 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,[e] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,”

When we train our church planters, and furthermore leaders in our own churches, the gifts the Lord gave to the church are crucial to be part of our training.

In verse 14 of Ephesians 4 it spells out clearly why this is vital. It is so that we, I shall add, so that the church is not easily swayed to false doctrines. It says, “… not tossed…by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” 

As leaders, it is essential that we teach and train ones about the Gifts that are given from God to establish the church. I also heard it said, it is a gift to even pour out His Grace to the church and this world.  Read: v.12 “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up the body of Christ.” 

One of the gifts is the Gift of a Shepherd. This pastoral gift has the characteristics of being compassionate and caring, all by tending to the flock, which is the people God has called someone to. A pastor teaches, knowing as he does this also gives his church the nourishment needed for themselves and in turn will equip them to do God’s given purpose for their lives. A pastor is quite protective of his church. He is the one who watches out for their safety, especially when it is about spiritual matters. Pastors will simply love their people and want to be with them. He or she loves to engage in the lives of their church and show support through prayer, teaching, and even helping in different ways as needed. A pastor is there when his people are rejoicing and when they are in sorrow.  

I grew up in a pastor’s home, and then my husband and I pastored for over 27 years. I watched my father and mother lovingly care for the people in our church. I felt the warmth of God’s love pouring out of my parents to each and everyone. I learned how beautiful the family of God was through this example. I watched my parents cry with them, encourage them in God’s Word and then pray for them. My husband and I did the same, along with us bringing food and helping around their house, when needed. 

Shepherding is a 24-hour-a-day, 7 days a week commitment to those God has called ones to. It is also being aware of how the enemy is trying to steal one of their flock and in response to jump in to do all they can to stop him. Thank God for the gift of pastors, which comes from the heart of God Himself. May we be patient with ourselves and others if we have this gift, and know it is by His Holy Spirit that we can continue to love and serve the people God has given us.

This has been Multiply, please share this podcast with others. Find us at our website vcpencouragement.org, Facebook and YouTube as well as many podcast channels. 

Thank you and God bless!