A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
PRAISE GOD IT’S MONDAY!
A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
A FREE service, currently connecting with Christian leaders from 3,000 denominations and ministries, in 70 countries.
Issue No: 193 Published: 04 Jul 2005
JOB DESCRIPTIONS OR TITLES?
Outside the Armed Forces, nobility, and some political systems, Job Titles are more evident in the church than elsewhere. The Pope heads the Catholic Church, the Archbishop of Canterbury the Anglicans, and Pastor 'Smith', the church next door. Just about everywhere in the church, leaders are assigned titles that their followers are generally expected to use, certainly formally and often informally too.The argument goes that using titles is showing respect for those who lead us closer to God. The practise has become so entrenched in our church culture that without position, without a title, no one is taken seriously.
Yet, is this scriptural? Did those who ministered in the New Testament, as replacements of the Priestly Order of the Old, use titles to assert their position and authority? Was their role 'functional' or 'positional'?
The most accurate way to differentiate between the two, is to see whether the titles we assign as Capitalised, proper nouns today, were used as such in the New Testament church of Acts to Revelation. Or rather, were they used as adjectives, as job descriptions, in lower case lettering? Lets check out the words we assign as titles. This analysis is taken from the NIV but varies little between versions.
WORD USED........ADJECTIVE.......PROPER NOUN
APOSTLE/S.................21..................0
DEACON/S..................4...................0
ELDER/S....................41..................0
EVANGELIST/S............5...................0
MINISTER/S................6...................0
PASTOR/S..................1...................0
PROPHET/S.................63..................3 (In referring to Old Testament 'Law and Prophets')
OVERSEER/S................7...................1 (Referring specifically to Jesus)
SERVANT/S.................58..................0
TEACHER/S.................17..................0
The results are overwhelming in their conclusion. THERE ARE NO JOB TITLES TO BE FOUND AMONGST THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH LEADERS. In fact, the most common reference used both of leaders and people is 'brother/s', which is found 234 times.
The use of titles in the church today has effectively created a new priesthood, similar in many ways to that of the Pharisees whom Jesus so roundly condemned. The job description has become a source of status and power within the formalised, human oriented, management structures that have infiltrated the church.
Of course we need organisation! Of course we need leadership! But the heart of godly leadership is found in humility and servanthood, not in status and position such as is, wittingly or unwittingly, promoted by Job Titles.
Let our job description follow, not precede our name. We're not meant to be called 'Pastor David, John or Bill'. Let us follow the pattern of the New Testament and focus our people's attention upon God, not the religious hierarchy of the church.
Don't believe me, or don't know how to do it? Check out the introductions to each of the New Testament books from Acts to Revelation in 'FROM THE WORD' below, and let's follow the writers' examples in our own ministries.
Do you know the job title of Bill Gates of Microsoft fame? It is 'Bill Gates, Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect'. But universally known simply as, Bill Gates!
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FROM THE WORD
ROMANS: Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—1 CORINTHIANS: Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
2 CORINTHIANS: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
GALATIANS: Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers with me,
EPHESIANS: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.
PHILIPPIANS: Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
COLOSSIANS: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
1 THESSALONIANS: Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.
2 THESSALONIANS: Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
1 TIMOTHY: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2 TIMOTHY: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
TITUS: Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—
PHILEMON: Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
HEBREWS: In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
JAMES: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
1 PETER: Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
2 PETER: Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
1 JOHN: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
2 JOHN: The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—
3 JOHN: The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth
JUDE: Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ:
REVELATION: The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
RELIGION v REVELATION881. Religion is learned, revelation received.
882. Religion stems from the mind of man, revelation from the heart of God.
883. Revelation is revolutionary, religion, counter-revolutionary.
884. Religion is the opiate of the masses, while revelation reveals the heart of God.
885. One man's revelation quickly becomes another's religion.
886. Religion suffocates revelation.
887. Religion is centred upon man's needs, revelation upon the will of God.
888. When religion embraces a revelation, it's time for new revelation!
889. Revelation builds, religion stifles.
890. Many say, 'give me religion', but few, 'give me revelation'.
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CRANWELL'S CARTOON
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FROM YOU - TO ME - TO YOU
Dear David,Peace be unto you. I was surprised when I saw your today’s (27th June 2005) editorial! Do you know your Indian representative Asher Peri is teaching the same to the flocks and to the pastors, since two months? Surprisingly today you have come with the same thought!! Of course it is from HIS throne!!!
I much emphasize on “Deliberate sin†and “Perfection†in particular I start with the last two verses of Romans 5th chapter and go on with the 8th chapter. I appreciate my mate that Lord has put the same thing in our hearts and I am not able to convey the same to several but HE has made that it is possible with you. Yes, we have to walk unto perfection. God Bless.
Love
Asher
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Your comments to me or fellow readers are always welcomed at... david@wwj.org.nz
This is an opportunity for you to express your views, which may not be my views. But none of us have a mortgage on all the truth - except for Jesus!
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THE PROPHETIC FEASTS OF THE LORD - Series 2 - THE AUTUMN FEASTSPart 8 of 10 - THE PATTERN OF THINGS TO COME
"THE HEART OF THE QUESTION IS OUR HEART!"
Always has been, always will be. And this is what the Book of Hebrews and the end time (Tabernacle or Bride) church is all about.
Truly 'Walking with Jesus' is the desire of God's heart and should be of ours also.
Let's see it, once again, in this week's study.
Check it out in your letterbox tomorrow. If you aren't on the mailing list, you can register now at... tteach-on@wwj.org.nz
Previous teachings on this subject, the First Miracle of Jesus, the Book of Ruth, God's Character and Servanthood and Leadership, the Parable of the Sower, The Two Marathoners, The 3 Rivers of God The Spring Feasts, The Power of 3 in God & the Church and A Layman's History of the Times of the Feasts can be viewed at...
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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
391. YOUR CHOICE
A church was running short of the finances that were needed to do some sorely needed repairs.
The Pastor worried over how he could motivate the congregation to come up with more money. To add to the Pastor's problems, just before the start of worship services he learned that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play.
"Here's a copy of the service," the Pastor said impatiently. "But you'll have to think of something appropriate to play after I make the announcement about the finances."
Following the Pastor's sermon, he paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty. The church repairs are costing nearly twice as much as we expected, and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up."
At that moment, the substitute organist played "The Star-Spangled Banner."
And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!
389. GARDENING GOD'S WAY
Plant three rows of peas:
Peace of mind
Peace of heart
Peace of soul
Plant four rows of squash:
Squash gossip
Squash indifference
Squash grumbling
Squash selfishness
Plant four rows of lettuce:
Lettuce be faithful
Lettuce be kind
Lettuce be obedient
Lettuce really love one another
No garden without turnips:
Turnip for meetings
Turnip for service
Turnip to help one another
To conclude our garden we must have thyme:
Thyme for God
Thyme for study
Thyme for prayer
Water freely with patience and cultivate with love.
There will be much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow.
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
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FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What is an ‘inclined elevator’?ANSWER: Quite logically, ‘Inclined Elevator’ was another term used at the turn of the twentieth century for what we now call an escalator. The first one was installed at Harrods department store in London and was scary enough that store personnel served brandy to customers who felt faint while riding it. (Most today feel faint at Harrods prices!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is a Welsh rabbit?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS642. THE GREAT WALL OF FRANCE?
There is sufficient stone in the Great Pyramid of Gizeh to build a 10 foot (3 metre) high, 1 foot (30cm) thick wall around the entire border of France. (Great to protect French culture?)
643. PEANUTS FOR PRESIDENT
Hersheys supply M&M’s to the US President free of charge – but only peanut flavoured ones. (Any comparisons with monkeys are unintended – maybe!)
644. TO THE LEFT WE HAVE
Kermit the Frog is left-handed. (We’re in good company.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
TORNADO
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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DO YOU KNOW? (About Relationships)
How are Zacharias and Elizabeth related?a. Husband/Wife
b. Father/Daughter
c. Cousins
Answer at the end of A DAVID MUSING.
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BIBLE BITS
***The Eastern Church accepted the New Testament as we know it in 367AD with the 39th Paschal Letter of Athanasius, the Western (Roman) Church following suit after Pope Damascus called a synod together in Rome in 382AD.***The 'Wicked Bible' or 'Adulterous Bible' was printed in 1632, the word 'not' being accidentally left out of the 7th Commandment! It read, "You shall commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14)
***The shortest book in the New Testament is 3 John, with only 294 words in 14 verses. 2 John has 1 less verse but 4 more words!
***The first copy of the Guttenberg Bible(printed on a printing press) took 3 years of constant printing to produce, being finished in 1445. Printed in 2 volumes, totalling 1284 pages. Nearly 200 originals were printed and remarkably, 48 still exist today.
***It wasn't until the 16th Century, many years after it's first printing (even more since it was compiled) that the Bible was divided into the chapters and verses we use today. They were designed for ease of reference. And are a tool organised by man, not put there by God!
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PUNS FOR FUNS!
THE DOGI got a laugh our of your Facts for Fun section last week and this week. The question about the dog in a Shakespeare play? My college roommate and I always said the dog was in MacBeth. Lady MacBeth keeps trying to throw him out of the castle in the middle of the night - after all, she keeps waking up and saying, "Out, out, damn Spot."
Yes, I know it's a bad joke . . . but I thought I'd share it anyway. (They all are! David)
REMEMBRANCE
Once a year, the collectors of antique tents in Germany get together for a rally. Last year, the organizers decided to hold it in Meinz. Unfortunately, the local burghers took a dim view of so great an influx of tourists ruining their turf with tent pegs. The citizens organized themselves so thoroughly that they even had an anthem:
"Let Old and Quaint Tents Be Forgot and Never Brought to Meinz!"
BUGZIE
Bugzie had been sentenced to prison for a long time. They did not know that he was a mechanical genius when they placed him in charge of the chicken yard. He would go about picking up pieces of metal and wood. He made an engine and some wings. One day, at roll call they found that he had placed the engine and wings on the chicken shed and flown the coop.
There are more at...
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS IN BIBLICAL LANDS
THE INNER GARMENTA tunic (shirt) worn next to the skin. Made of leather, haircloth, wool, linen, or today, of cotton. The simplest style was sleeveless, reaching down to the knees or ankles. The wealthy had sleeves and wore it to the ankles. Worn by both men and women, doubtless of different styles. The garment worn by Jesus, for which the Roman soldiers cast lots, was seemless.
Lots more 'God Facts' are found at...
A REVELATION OF... SERVANTHOOD & LEADERSHIP
A timely reminder in light of today's editorial, of what our calling as 'Jesus Followers' and particularly as leaders is really all about. Essential reading, especially for anyone involved, or wanting to become involved, in Christian leadership. You might well change your mind!Download it now, free of charge, in PDF format, at...
A DAVID MUSING
This week, Kathy and I have had our house to ourselves, while our remaining son at home, Brendan, is away for 2 weeks at a University Block Course. We are enjoying it. There are exciting things happening in our lives involving a shift shortly to a more community form of living, which will be a complete change. More details to follow. So we are particularly enjoying this time by ourselves at the moment.Once again this year, it is so nice of you Americans to make such a fuss of my birthday today! We have only spent 3 days in the US in our lives, but these included a 4th of July. I love fireworks, so having them in Los Angeles 8 years ago on my birthday, was a real treat!
And to make our happiness complete, the New Zealand "All Blacks" convincingly beat the British and Irish Lions in the Rugby Union match this weekend to take the series 2 nil, with one test to play.
So it's been a good week! Except that I've added another year to my age! Oh well, you can't win them all!
So until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: DONATOR
TODAY'S 'DO YOU KNOW?' ANSWER: a. Husband/Wife. 5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. (Luke 1:5)
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ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God’s people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ’s return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord’s direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
3 Hetley Crescent
Taradale
Napier 4001
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 8449-377 International (+64) 6 8449-377
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz
Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "… so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole – and have a smile while doing it!
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david@wwj.org.nz