Growing into Christ (5)

“…as it was shown you on the mountain, so shall they make it.” Exodus 27.8

The Elder and His Work
David Dickson (1821-1885)
“We need no new machinery in the Christian Church. It is all provided ready to our hand in the Presbyterian [leadership by elders] system. What we need is the motive-power to set it going and keep it going.”

Moses would not have thought for a moment about doing anything other than what God had instructed him to do while he was together with Him on the mount. What hubris he would have shown, had he not followed the Lord’s explicit instructions in building the tent of the Lord. God has declared that He will build His Church through the work of faithful shepherds, as they equip His people to grow into Jesus and serve Him in their everyday lives. (Jer. 23.1-4; Eph. 4.11, 12). But we prefer the “new machinery” of buildings, programs, boards, committees, teams, and whatnot to the simple but hard work of shepherding the flock of God. No amount of substituting our best ideas for God’s revealed truth will end up with congregations filled with true disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. We must make disciples according to the pattern He has revealed in His Word, and not just any way we think will work. The Lord has shown us how to build His Church. Do we have the will to follow His Word?

How would you define the work of shepherding? Can you support that definition from Scripture? Are you practicing this work to equip God’s people for ministry?

Mission Partners Outreach
Jesus trained and deployed His followers two-by-two, to learn and serve together in proclaiming His Kingdom. Are you following this pattern? Our Mission Partners Outreach provides the resources and framework for making witness-bearing disciples in your church. Want to learn how it works? I’m currently looking for three men to work with me through this six-month training effort, including preparing a plan to implement this free training in your church. 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.

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 are from David Dickson, The Elder and His Work (Dallas: Presbyterian Heritage Publications, 1990).