On March 3rd, a service was held at God’s Embassy Central Church during which Pastor Bose announced that the month of March in our church is titled “My pastor My leader.”
A series of sermons on the above mentioned topic began with a message on the topic “Pastor’s ministry.”
In order to understand and realize what a pastor’s ministry is, one must clearly understand who a pastor is and what his main mission is.
Pastor is from the Latin word “Pastor” which means shepherd. Based on this definition, a pastor is a man who protects, guards and cares for his people – the sheep. In the Bible, the image of sheep is very often used as a prototype of obedience, humility, gentleness, patience and self-sacrifice.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
Jesus Himself was called the Lamb, who willingly and obediently gave Himself for the salvation of mankind. It is He who demonstrated the supreme act of humility and sacrifice.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.. (Isaiah 53:7)
Pastor was made head of the church to build up, take care and preserve the Body of Christ. It is the pastor God will hold accountable for all the people under his care.
In fact, the pastor does not possess some supernatural ability. He is an ordinary person who decides to be responsible not only for himself (his life) but also for other people’s lives. A Pastor is a man who spends most of his time with God, in order to be led by the Holy Spirit, to have wisdom of God and grace of edification, to cultivate the people entrusted to him by God, and to meet their needs.
“Every member of the church is a potential pastor. Each of us has his own congregation,” – explained the pastor. – “God has deprived no one of the opportunity to lead people.”
Based on the definition and the main mission of the pastor, the need for pastoral ministry increases with the growth of the population of the church, as well as with the identification of problems existing in the region, district, village and town.
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:7-14)
So God provides pastors for one single purpose – to redeem people from all sorts of oppression and slavery.
God’s system of appointing a person as a pastor (or any similar position), differs from the way appointments are made in the world. Different organizations and companies select candidates for high positions by taking into account his achievements, status, experience, education, etc. With God everything is different: He chooses based on the state of a person’s heart, rather than on physical or intellectual characteristics.
Typically, when a person becomes a pastor, he cannot manage well with all things; some things come with experience and time, some things are attained through other people such as advice, recommendations, views and opinions. Therefore, the pastor, as the president of the country or the husband in the family, particularly needs the help and support of his servants (citizens and family members).
“You will never find an ideal husband, manager, leader, or even pastor! Only God is perfect!” – (emphasized Pastor Bose).
A Pastor is the mediator between God and man, therefore, how we treat the pastor, we treat God: with reverence, respect or vice versa. If God sees the wrong attitude, the position of the heart, mind, then He Himself will correct each one of us for our own good.
Since God is impartial too, he teaches everyone including pastors. (We were told that there are no perfect people and that anyone can make a mistake, make a wrong decision, or misunderstand something). In addition to personal communication, God often teaches, corrects and directs the pastor through the people, i.e. the congregation.
“If in this situation we do not gloat, do not criticize, do not sneer, and do not murmur, then God begins to work and begins to teach a pastor,” – explained the pastor.
Every person is a gift from God, and a treasure, so let us enrich not only unbelievers, friends and relatives by showing them the nature and character of God, but also to our pastors, leaders and mentors!
Be blessed!
Reports from service March 3, 2011
Central Church, Kiev
Press Center of the Embassy of God
Translated by Anna Krets
Edited by Kizito Leacock
