Equipping the Saints

Paul writes in Ephesians that the role of the four support offices in the church is “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph 4:12 NKJV). The one office that we are concerned with here is that of the ‘pastor/teacher.’ These teaching shepherds in the church have “equipping” responsibility as one of their specific job descriptions. The work of the ministry belongs to the entire body.  Every saved church member is a minister of the local church.  The shepherds (elders, pastors), however, have an additional task of equipping everyone to do the ministry they have been given to do by Christ Himself.  This is the way that the HEAD, King Jesus, has set up His church to operate.  He gives gifted men to the church. They are the in-house trainers (equippers) of God’s people.  Every Christian has the task of being a minister of the Church in their area of giftedness and interests.  When we follow the orders from headquarters it is clear what every person’s role in the local church should be. Pastors are to equip Christians to do their ministries.  Members are to do the ministry.

But what is equipping?  This term was used for restoring something to its original condition or making something fit or complete. If a camper is equipped for a camping trip, they will have been given the necessary resources to survive in the wilderness.  They would be given bug spray, matches, lights, tents, sleeping bags, and other necessary equipment to do well on their trip. When a Christian is equipped, they are trained in the necessary character qualities, integrity, information, and skills they need to worship Jesus, edify other believers, and share Jesus with those around them who are not yet in submission to the King. The reason the teaching shepherds never work themselves out of a job is that the need of being equipped is a life long process.  The leaders are to seek out those who are feeding themselves spiritually and who are growing in their relationship with both Jesus and His church. These are to be given special and extra training to do their tasks. They are to be instructed on how to share with others what they are learning. Paul put it like this in his command to the young pastor, Timothy: “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2 NKJV).

When we do God’s work according to the blueprint, then our ministries multiply rather than add. One man alone can only burn himself out and get run out of town.  But if each teaching shepherd equips five new men each year and they equip five other men, then the multiplication goes on and on. These equipped and edified men evangelize, equip and edify their wives and children. They also reach out to other men. Their wives reach out to other women and their children to other children.  Proper edification and equipping produces excited people who share Jesus with others (evangelism). 

Therefore, the shepherds must protect their equipping time and not let the urgent steal it all away.  They do have to give an answer to the Chief Shepherd of how they cared for his flock according to the apostle Peter. “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed. {2} Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; {3} not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. {4} And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” (1 Peter 5:1-4)

The church stands or falls with leadership. A group of godly men who will make equipping, edifying and evangelizing their intentional focus and vision of a biblically-driven church will bring about reformation and revival. These are the vital commitments that let us know who we are and what we do. Every true church should have edification, equipping, and encouraging believers, evangelizing the lost, exalting Christ, and establishing and expanding the church as part of their vision of what God’s purposes are for them as local body of believers. Let’s follow our Head, the Lord Christ. Let’s follow His Word and His ways.