CHARGE DELIVERED TO SHEPHERDS FROM GOD

CONTINUED FROM: WHO ARE SHEPHERDS OF JESUS CHRIST EMPOWERED TO CARRY OUT THE MANDATE OF  THE GREAT COMMISSION???????

                                                         BY

  BISHOP STEVEN MAXWELL ALEXANDER JAKUTA KLIBERTY SR.

What kind of charge was delivered to you when you were ordained as a Shepherd for the flocks of God? Was the charge delivered laid out a kind of road map that Shepherds like you should follow while in office? What many Shepherds fail to understand is that there is only one original charge which had been lay out by God long ago and there is no going around it. Every Shepherd called and ordained by God is charge with a specific set of responsibilities. Many who have gone to one theological schools or the other believed they can serve as Shepherds of Jesus Christ after graduating and commissioned by such schools. I say this is a very big mistake and has caused a lot of problems and given birth to a lot of false doctrines (most especially in my part of the world.) Recently a devotional was send to me and I pick out some very important points; that we can used as case study.( I must note here that in any place I disagree with any article is my personal opinion and I take all responsibilities for it. However it must be noted that what ever I write is in Christian love and discipline.)

"Watson Kondowe sent a message to the members of NETWORKING FOR CHRISTIANS WITH BUSINESS ACUMEN.

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Subject: CHURCH ADMINISTRATION BY PASTOR GLENDA LONGWA- TEXAS US

In order to fully understand Church Administration -just like a Company for example, it is always important to note the duties of a Pastor first, then other things will follow as we go on with our discussion. The role of the Pastor should be well understood and elaborate. A Pastor is to assist the Elders in overseeing the life and direction of the church. The Pastor will have a firm grasp on the purpose, values and strategy of the church and the ability to align ordained and lay staff and key leadership teams with its mission. The Pastor will offer pastoral leadership to the congregation alongside clergy and lay ministers. The Pastor will ensure that the systems, practices, and policies of the church responsibly and effectively support its ministry activities.

Key Responsibilities
1. Preaching and teaching:
The Pastor will be the primary preacher for Sunday worship services. The Pastor also will provide leadership in planning and executing the Adult Education programs and other programs in discipleship and ministry training, in coordination with other ordained and lay leaders.

2. Strategic leadership and planning:
The Pastor is responsible for strategic planning and staff coordination in the execution of the church’s purpose. The Pastor will define strategic goals and vision as a key leader among staff and elders and implement the plan by:
a. Coordinating/leading weekly staff meetings and other activities to clarify and execute goals and objectives.
b. Monitoring the spiritual pulse of the congregation through review and accountability.
c. Ensuring staffing, facilities and programs are effectively aligned to meet strategic goals.

3. Staff supervision and development:
The Pastor serves as director to ordained and lay staff and lay volunteers, and leads, evaluates, and mentors existing staff in their respective areas of ministry by:
a. Overseeing staff training and development.
b. Hiring and dismissing staff and prioritizing staff additions after consultation and guidance from the elders.
c. Providing leadership to the pastoral staff in the design and implementation of all church ministries.
d. Working with the Personnel Team to implement salary reviews and recommendations.
e. Maintaining efficient and effective lines of communication between the staff and elders.
f. Serving as HR manager—oversee the negotiation of insurance and other benefits, conduct performance evaluations, and provide on-going informal performance feedback.

4. Administration:
The Pastor oversees and executes the administration of the church through appropriate staff and lay leadership teams, and ensures the completion of ministry, business, facility, and logistical support functions through staff and lay volunteers. He must:
a. Oversee the pastoral care needs of the congregation and, as necessary, share with other ordained and lay ministers in hospital visitation, home visits, counseling, marriages and funerals.
b. Supervise the Office Manager and provide direction, as needed, for the effective functioning of the front office support functions.
c. Oversee development of and adherence to church policies and procedures.

5. Evaluation and compensation:
The Pastor will file monthly reports to the Elders on ministry accomplishments and activities. The Personnel Team will conduct annually a performance evaluation and review of the compensation package.”

Before I make any comment or agree or disagree with this view it is my humble honor to take us to the Written Word of God to examine the Charge that God have for each Shepherd : (1)  CHARGE TO BEAR THE INIQUITIES OF THE SANCTUARY; YOUR PRIESTHOOD/MINISTERIAL OFFICE, THE PLACE OF WORSHIP.  (Numbers18:1-7) " And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood. And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness. And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die. And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you. And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel. And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for everything of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.”Which sanctuary are we talking about here? "The holy of Holies; In the Tabernacle (Heb.9:2) "For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.” Divine dwelling place, (Ex.25:6) "Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,” The Holy place in the Temple ( Ezek. 42:20} "He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.”

 The Shepherd first charge is to take charge of the only possible route between Heaven and earth. Because she/he is given charge over this route, they are responsible for any thing that take place on this route; good and evil. You might say but Bishop, What are talking about? That place was destroyed at Jesus death. It was in the sense of a building but was it destroys from deep within you? No. The bible says "Don’t you know that your body is the Temple of God?” If that is a fact than there is a holy of holies within everyone and the Shepherd is given charge over it. That is why he/she must be conscious of the fact that he/she is responsible for the "divine dwelling place of the Most High here on earth; both physically and spiritually.

We are expected  to bear the iniquities of our people to God for forgiveness and to teach them daily to walk in the right path for God is Holy and can not remain where the people are defiled . So this is a two way street. Shepherds are charge to make sure the sanctuary of God/your bodies, mind and soul is clean enough to receive the Spirit of the Most High God and translate the message He gives you for His people without fear or favor.

The second charge of duty is : THE SHEPHERD MUST BE HOLY AND SANTIFY IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND MEN.

 God commands in Genesis 1:17 "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. " Again He commanded in Lev. 10: 8-10” And the Lord Spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine or strong drink, thou nor thou sons with thee, when you go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest you die: it shall be a statue FOREVER throughout your generations; And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean”. Can you see the emphasis God place here "LEST YOU DIE”. God does not move around an unholy vessel and stress the matter like He did in the Garden of Eden with the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Again I want to make it clear the the post of Minister is allocated to all of the vessels chosen; set apart to serve in the house of the Lord. SONS here refer today to those chosen vessels and God expect them to be as clean as their Father/Head/Pastor/Minister or what ever name you give yours today.

  I can not overemphasize this point enough because in our churches today this is one of the missing factors. The type of holiness today is faked and make- believed in 99.9; of our churches, groups and fellowships. But we must note as Shepherds that Holiness is an attribute of God and He does not compromise that factor. Before moving on, let us analyze the point I am making by taking a look at these few scriptures through the eyes of those vessels who wrote them: When God was about to charge Moses to take up the duties of a Shepherd for the Children of Israel; His first Words to him were: "Draw not near heither ; put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thy standest is  holy ground.”(Ex3:5) He also emphasized this fact in other places to other prophets as He is doing to you today. "Ye shall be holy for I the Lord your God am holy (Lev.11:14)” God sittest upon the Throne of His holiness” (ps.47:8) "The meek also shall rejoice shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. And the shall sanctify my name and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob (Isa 29:19,23)” "So I will make my Holy Name known in the midst of my people Israel and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.”(Ezek.39:7,25,36:21,22) "Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my God, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods( Dan.4:8) I am God and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee (Hos 11:9) " Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me” (Jn.17:11)   "God is light and in Him is no darkness  at al” 1jn.1:5) 

Every where the presence of God is should be Holy and clean; undefiled by those things that will pollute it. It must be clear that the Shepherd who is not sanctified (and there are many today) can not lead the people to God to the promise land. In fact in order to be holy before and acceptable by God, means to have the spirit of God living within you; recognizable by God and men ( as in the cases of Daniel and Joshua). And be assured my dear Shepherd that the Spirit of God does not dwell within defiled and polluted vessels. That is why your first Charge as a Shepherd is to yourself. In fact if the ordaining officer cannot see the Spirit of God in you, it is useless to ordain you as a Shepherd of God. But today most of these things are not done because of God’s approval but because of man’s nepotism, favoritism, or because the person ordained was able to meet up with the financial requirement. But dear Shepherds I want you to know and understand that it does not grow there after you become a Shepherd; it had already been there before the call. And do not allow anyone to ordain you if their lives have a question mark that you and others know about. If you do it will be for nothing and unacceptable to God, because that person is charge to put some of their honor in you.

What really do we mean by been sanctify by God? As we are aware, Satan is roaring and moving up and down on the face of the earth with one intention. It wants to cheat God of His plan for the life of Mankind. He is counterfeiting every thing that has to do with God. He is fighting a very tough battle with the host of Heaven for the souls of men/women. One of it’s major battle front is among the children of God. Many of those claiming to be Shepherds of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are really the Shepherds of Satan propagating the Gospel of darkness.

                                         TO BE CONTINUED

DO YOU KNOW THAT SHEPHERDS ARE CHARGE WITH THE AUTHORITY TO MINISTER TO TWO KINGDOMS ? Yes GET READY for:

CHARGED WITH AUTORITY TO MINISTERED TO TWO KINGDOMS

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo,I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20)

" For many shall come in my name, saying; I am Christ and shall deceive many.” (Mark13:6)....