THE BODY OF CHRIST

By Lahry Sibley
Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the
saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and
deacons:

I have found it a curiosity, that of all the epistles (letters to churches and
friends) in the new covenant, not one is addressed to “pastors”. Now,
granted, some who were addressed by name may have been pastors of their
home church or local fellowship, but they are not addressed by “title” or the
term “Pastor”. In fact, the word “pastor” is only mentioned one time in one
verse in the entire new covenant.

I find it of equal curiosity, that “pastors” have a stranglehold of monarchism

on the local church. So I have to ask myself, why is that? Clearly Paul
described the Body of Christ much differently in Ephesians as follows:

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and
some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

This brings to mind another question we need to ask, and ask often. Are the
saints well trained for ministry work and edification of the Body?

Without pointing a finger at anyone, I would have to say, across the board,
the answer is “NO”. It is unusual and out of the ordinary to see the saints
doing ministry and edifying the Body. In fact, it is almost as strange as
seeing a church group, or groups of churches who have any apostles,
prophets, or evangelists. The ones that are recognized as such, are usually
held in a position of superiority and lordship rather than servant to all.

Small wonder then, that the church is floundering so in fads and secular
humanism. It is trying to function like a hand that has only a ring finger on it
and the other fingers and thumb missing. It’s function and usefulness of the
hand is……quite limited.

The groups who do have “apostles”, “prophets” and the like, for the most
part, are ridiculous ineptitude of reality. Many of these titles are held by
women who glory in themselves in direct contrast and disobedience to clear
Biblical doctrine. Worse yet, they are encouraged in their carnality and
feministic personas, all disguised as “authority” in “the church”. (Yes,
women can be prophetesses, but not Apostles or Pastors. Please give me a
moment to duck before you throw that stone, please)

And so, what is called “church” flounders, blind leading the blind, with few
and rare exceptions. Even those anointed and called to be Apostles and
Prophets of God are looked upon with “suspicion and contempt”. Why? First
of all, there is little discernment among “the brethren” as who really is the
voice of the Master, and who is speaking words that God did not command.
Second, truth just does not fit in to modern church paradigm. Furthermore,
when a person’s income is dependent on how much wool the sheep produce,
they are vulnerable and compromising, so as not to thin the numbers of the
sheep by feeding them truth. Worse yet, most flocks are so small that only
one paid hireling can be afforded on payroll. The ones that are larger
function more like the king and his court.

Now, why am I saying all of this? Pastor, please, I am not on “your case”. In
fact, I am calling for the help you need. Church was never intended for you
to manage it “alone”. Church is a team effort, just like a fully functioning
body. All the parts must know their job, be trained in them and then do
them, for the body to be healthy and functional.

My purpose is to hopefully point out that there is a grave need for

restoration in our midst. That restoration, for it to thrive in the increase that
only God can bring, must follow Biblical guidelines and authority in it’s
leadership. Anything less, is leaven. Leaven inflates with hot air and has no
food value. It gives the body an appearance of great size. It appears to be
something it is not. The Body of Christ. Selah - Lahry