John 15:16 "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you…"
In this blog, I want to talk to you about being ‘ordained.’ The word "ordained" is in the KJV Bible 37 times. In today’s Christianity, we hear this word usually in a ‘church’ setting. Usually a man, (or woman, depending on church rules) feels the call to ministry, the ordination comes shortly after. Usually after a ‘trial period’ the Pastor and/or elders will ‘ordain’ the person by laying hands on them while offering up a prayer to God. (This isn’t to under mind the laying on of hands nor ordination found in scripture). This places the person in a leadership realm or at least someone that the congregation looks up to; a place of respect or elevation. Certainly, in a traditional, pyramid church structure this is true. In the pyramid church structure of our day, the pastor sits on top; leadership is next, then the congregation and so on. Those who have been ordained and are in leadership are over the others. Ladies and gentleman, this method is SO engrained in our minds that we can’t possibly see any other way. When this is all we have seen and been taught and practiced, this is all we know and we somehow think this is the way God set it up. Nowhere in the New Testament do we see this being practiced. This may come as a shock to you but I challenge you to look at the verses again. When we see/hear words like: church, leaders, leadership, elders, pastors, deacons, and altars, we think certain ways based on our background. The word leadership isn’t mentioned in the Bible nor is leader mentioned in the New Testament. There are three verses in the book of Hebrews, which contain the words ‘over you’ (Heb. 13:7, 13:17, 13:24). To many, these are grounds for a dictatorship in the body or to rule or control the congregation. The Bible says to "remember, obey, and salute" those who are over you. Viewed from the pyramid system of today, this could be dangerous for many. Why is it we never hear REMEMBER and SALUTE emphasized; rather the one that says, OBEY? Many pastors today will grab a hold of this and use it to control and manage those that they want to conform to a certain image. Many truehearted Christians (who have only seen the pyramid system) come to the pastor or leaders, wanting to excel in their calling. They want a leader to hold them accountable in their prayer life and other things and watch over them. True, a lot of good can come from this IF the motives (with both persons) are right in the sight of God. Dear soul, we must never forget or lay aside the relational side of the Gospel. I don’t think we truly see how important this is in the scriptures. Jesus came to build relations with us, and us with others. We are to love God first, then each other (Luke 10:27). Godly relationships are the heartbeat of God the Father. The word ‘obey’ in Heb. 13:7 means, ‘to make friends with.’ The word ‘remember’ in verse 7 means, ‘to be mindful of.’ And the word ‘salute’ means, ‘to take into your arms and embrace.’ These are all relational terms not terms to control one with. The writer is saying honor those who you look to as Spiritual in your life. Those who have a voice in your life…. those who help guide you in the way of the Lord…remember them, be friends with them and always honor them…keep it relational. But what about accountability you may be thinking. The body of Christ and close relations holds us accountable, in love (…for they watch for your souls…Heb. 13:17). In our opening verse in John 15:16 it’s easy to see that we are all ordained by Christ to bring forth fruit. Not lifted up to a place of great leadership, but a lowly place of service. The word ‘ordained’ in this verse means, ‘to sink down or to lay prostrate and to knell.’ This was truly the life of Jesus and the service He has called us to; the lowly position. How many today want to be called to this kind of ministry? Some Christians don’t care to DO humbling things if certain people know they are doing them. This friends, is false humility. Some are truly proud of how humble they are. I mean, what if you knew Jesus had called you to a place of never being seen…a place to lay prostrate. Well, He has! These are the poor in spirit Jesus spoke of in Matt. 5:3 who are blessed and demonstrate the true Kingdom. You might be thinking, what about the pastor or teacher who gets up before the people?? How can their calling be a lowly place? There are times in scripture (such as Acts 2:14) when the Spirit of God caused someone to stand up and speak the voice of God. We know that Paul did this some and of course Jesus taught publicly. The pastor and teacher are two of the gifts (Eph.4: 8,11) given to the church that may or may not require public speaking. Without sounding critical, please understand that nowhere in scripture do we find a PASTOR OVER A GROUP OF PEOPLE, only the pyramid structure teaches this. (This practice came about in AD 300). Pastor, (mentioned only once in the New Testament) is a GIFT that flows many ways in and through the body. I work with people who I feel has this gift. But because they chose a life of their own and not HIS LIFE the gift isn’t used properly to edify the body of Christ. However, the gift is clearly seen in their work and the way they work with people. God places His gifts inside each of us. Gifts are for daily life not only when we meet together. (I highly recommend John Fenns’ book, ‘Leaving the Church to Find God’ for more insights about gifts verses offices).
Jesus said in Mark 10:42-44 we read, "But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all."
Jesus was warning His men NOT be like the gentiles. The gentiles ruled and managed and took pride in what they were doing. Jesus says, let this not be named among you RATHER SERVE each other. This is the place of the lowly and the place of the Church of Jesus. The true ministry of Jesus is on the BOTTOM (the foundation) putting all ahead of himself. Totally flipped from the ways of the gentiles and the way American Christianity.
Other Scriptures
Phil. 2:7 "But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
2 Cor. 8:9 "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."
