Giants of the Reformation (6)

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ… Ephesians 4.11, 12

Institutes of the Christian Religion
John Calvin (1509-1564)
“From [Paul’s statement in 1 Cor. 14.30 ff.] it is clear that every member of the church is charged with the responsibility of public edification according to the measure of his grace, provided he perform it decently and in order.”

The goal of pastoral ministry is to build the church in unity and maturity, and thus to realize Christ’s agenda (Matt. 16.18) as fully as possible within one’s own calling and context. But building the church is not the responsibility of the pastor alone, although some congregations act as if that were the case. Building the church depends on saints doing the work of ministry within their own callings, as Paul makes clear in these verses. When pastors and teachers are equipping the saints, and equipping them with vision, understanding, heart, will, and the skills for ministry in their everyday lives, the people in our Personal Mission Fields see and hear the reality of Jesus, alive from the dead, and they will stream up to the church to get more of Him and His Word (Mic. 4.1-8). If the people aren’t ministering, the church won’t grow; but they won’t minister without being equipped, and this is the work of the pastor.

Would you say that every member of your church is continuously involved in being equipped for ministry and ministering to others? Should they be?

T. M. Moore

Mission Partners Outreach
The work of ministry is what saints are being equipped for, and which they do in the “as-you-are-goings” of their lives. But the flock of the Lord must be equipped for this calling, and Jesus has set shepherds over the flock to do that work. How can we equip the sheep to live for Christ and be His witnesses? Our Mission Partners Outreach provides the resources and framework for making witness-bearing disciples in your church. Want to learn how it works? Watch this brief video, then contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for more information. I will show you how to make this ministry work in your church.

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, John T. McNeill, ed., Ford Lewis Battles, tr. (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960), Vol. 2, Book IV, pp. 1012ff.