The Work of Shepherds (5)

And He Himself gave some to beapostles, 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

Draft Ecclesiastical Ordinances
John Calvin (1506-1564)
“As to the pastors, whom the Scripture also sometimes calls elders and ministers, their office is to proclaim the Word of God, to instruct, admonish, exhort and censure, both in public and private, to administer the sacraments and to enjoin brotherly corrections along with the elders and colleagues.”

In 1538, after three stormy years in his first pastorate, John Calvin was run out of Geneva when he tried to impose order on the churches there. It was an inauspicious beginning to what would become a glorious ministry. Three years later, the situation in Geneva had so deteriorated, and the failure of the Gospel effort was in such disarray, that city leaders pled with Calvin to return from exile and help them. He did so, reluctantly, and immediately set about to bring order to the churches in the city. He composed the Ecclesiastical Ordinances to outline a program of edification and pastoral care for the Christian people of Geneva. The next 23 years of his ministry made a worldwide impact for the Kingdom of God. Nothing good happens where things are left to chance or whim. Ours is a God of order, not chaos. He tells us what our work is, and how we should do it. And He has called us to shepherd His flock, equipping the saints for ministry as their daily calling in the Lord.

What are the most effective aspects – for the edification of the members of your church – of the order by which your church leaders conduct the ministry of your church? What needs improvement?

T. M. Moore

Growing into Christ
Our Pastor to Pastor series, Growing into Christ, is now available as a free PDF, set up for a series of 28 morning and evening readings, meditations, and prayers. A free copy awaits you by writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Here’s a tool you can use for your own growth, and in leading others to grow into Christ and live in Him.

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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, “Draft Ecclesiastical Ordinances,” in J. K. S. Reid, ed., Calvin: Theological Treatises in The Library of Christian Classics (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1954), pp. 58ff.