Traditions and the Body of Christ

And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 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. Ephesians 4:11-14

Do you know personally a person with one of these callings? Do you know any people with one of these ‘callings’ who actually walk in the ‘office’ of that calling? Do you understand the difference between the calling and walking in the office of that calling? 

What is the biggest hindrance to understanding this ‘work’ of Jesus with the Body of Christ? Traditions of religion. Traditions of culture. Traditions of denominations. Traditions of ways of thinking. Our traditions have greatly shaped how we see these roles in the Body of Christ. Could they actually be different that what we’ve been taught to understand? Have you asked the Holy Spirit about the religious traditions you take for granted as correct when actually they are much more complex and different than you’ve been taught? Do you understand that the institutional systems of the Church has greatly curtailed these callings and implementation of these ‘gifts’ to and in the Body of Christ? How? By many theological theories and traditions, that centralize the authority pyramid of power within the religious community. When in fact, in the Kingdom of Jesus that attitude of power and authority is upside down. The greatest among you is actually the greatest servant of ALL and is at the BOTTOM of the pyramid of ruling power.  

And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. Luke 22:25-27

Is that how it works in the Church you attend? Do the “leaders” in your spiritual community work together with everyone to listen to the Holy Spirit for direction and guidance? Is it easy to see all five of these gifts operating in your spiritual group? Culturally and traditionally now the American Church only recognizes one of these gifts as a ‘role’ in the Body. Which of course is the ‘Pastor’ and attributes ALL of the other callings and duties of the other four to that single role. Which of course is wrong according to this scripture by the Apostle Paul.  Should the pastor ‘rule’ over all of the other roles and callings? Should the pastor decide what the ‘will of God’ is for all of those in the group? Is it the pastor’s “vision” that decides the direction of the group? How do we know that the pastor has actually had a ‘vision’ from the Holy Spirit for the group? Has that ‘vision’ been confirmed by the other ‘gifts’ in your local Body / group? Has the Holy Spirit directly given the same vision to those that are adept and mature with evidence and life experience of hearing His Voice? Is any of this discussed with the members of the Body? Is there considerable prayer and seeking His direction about major decisions concerning the money and members of the Body of Christ? Or is it just a ‘given’ that the pastor decides these things? Here in lies the ‘politics’ of the Church, and has the greatest potential of corruption and misguidance within the community. How many Church board members are there because of their spiritual maturity instead of the power, money, and influence they have in the community? Are the elders really elders because of their obvious evident mature spiritual fruit of the Holy Spirit? How big was the ‘spiritual community’ that Jesus ‘watched’ over and had in His direct traveling group? 15-20? 30-50? 300-thousands? How many did He actually disciple? How many people are your spiritual leaders in your Church personally discipling? Discipleship IS the model of life and teaching Jesus modeled and told us to use!

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

How did Jesus disciple His followers? How did He serve them? How did He teach them? Once a week with a ‘sermon’?

So if you have been feeling for awhile that you need to ‘grow’ spiritually, and are beginning to feel like you need deeper and more intimacy with the Holy Spirit, who are you seeking out? Who are you asking these dangerous kind of questions? Are you needing deeper revelation for healing or growth? Whom are you going to for direction?

First: Seek the Holy Spirit! Learn to engage Him in prayer! Learn to listen to His daily advice. Learn to communicate with Him! Learn to ask Him first all of your questions. Learn to bring all of your concerns and troubles to Him first! For He is your FIRST counselor and guide. He is your FIRST comforter. Then when you have received instructions from the Holy Spirit in prayer ask for conformation from Him in more ways, so that you will be certain what you understand or have interpreted is correct. Find someone who can help you personally engage deeper with the Holy Spirit and will guide you in learning to listen to Him. 

Find those people with who you can have deep and serious spiritual conversations. Those who love you for you, just as your Heavenly Father loves you. Those who actually “know” you. Does your “pastor” really know you… deeply? How do you know? Do you have daily or weekly conversations with your pastor with lots of deep questions and honesty? Do you know where your pastor or spiritual leader is struggling to follow Jesus and the Holy Spirit? For ALL spiritual leaders are actually ‘sheep’ as well and have One Shepherd just as you do.

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. John 10:14-16

Why would Jesus give more than one gift to His Body to be equipped by? Is the role the same with everyone who has that calling? Or is there a myriad of beauty of color and differences within the fabric of His Body? Does your spiritual community actually look like His Bride? How is the Holy Spirit living and moving within those spiritual leaders — do they talk about it — openly and honestly – with you personally?

Where is the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher in your spiritual group? Can you name all of them? If you can only name one or two you’re significantly missing a HUGE portion of those who are to equip you spiritually.