Church Leaders’ Teaching & Training Manual: A Ministerial Aid for Training Church Workers

Church.

PREFACE

THE NEED TO TRAIN CHURCH WORKERS

Jesus spent a lot of time teaching the church of His days; because He knew that the knowledge of the truth of God’s will is a solid foundation for discipleship. This is because when the right doctrine is not put in practice the result is dead orthodoxy. The church is dead today because it is not growing in truth and in the knowledge of the will of God. The church thus becomes an organization that is sanctified but petrified. God however has intended His church to be a sanctified living and vibrant organism. God’s plan for a healthy and comprehensive church growth is that disciples be trained.

Christian workers exercise their discipleship when they learn to effectively witness their faith, pray with person, visit the sick, preach the Gospel, teach the word, minister to the elderly and perform all other ministries that are part of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

When Christians lay people are disciple, they in turn are to disciple others. The work of Discipleship requires a methodical and systematic employment of basic principles of evangelism; it is a program that must be integrated with other arms of the church, each one working in its own axis and at the same time inter-woven.

A Pastor needs to organize him/herself in such a way that it can perpetuate his/her witness in a given area by making disciples from among his church members so that they in turn may make others to become disciples (II Tim. 2:2). The work of making disciples is part of teaching them the word of God until they become strong and are producing results of their kind by bearing fruit both of the life and of the spirit. (Matt. 28:19; Prov. 11:30).

As the Great Commission rightly points out, disciples are made not born. While disciples are made at Baptism (Mat 28:19), discipleship matures as people follow a Christian Leader. Jesus led His disciples. He not only taught them what to know, He also showed them what to do. If the Church is to be a living organism, it has to be a school for discipleship. The Pastor is called the Shepherd of the Royal Priesthood, and he is there to minister to the needs of the sheep. Shepherds don’t reproduce sheep; it is the sheep that reproduces sheep. Missions and Ministry belong to the people. The Pastor is only there to be the trainer and the equipper of the people. The Pastor is like a playing coach, he does ministry works himself, but his primary responsibility is to train Christians to do their assignments in the Body of Christ.

The right doctrine is important for the truth to come alive; Christians must be trained in the skills of Missions and Ministry. Church workers need to be taught how to use the Bible when sharing their faith with others. They need to be trained to study the scriptures and to know the practical teachings of the Bible on certain issues of their contemporary daily lives experiences. They need to know how to use both the Law and the Gospel for an effective witnessing, for study and for devotional reading. They need to be trained to counsel others by using the powerful word of God. The ability to counsel people with the word of God does not just come naturally. It takes training. It takes experience in Christ’s life school of discipleship.

The Biblical method for this training can be called modeling. Jesus was a model for His disciples. He showed them how to do ministry. The Pastor is to be a model for the members of his Church congregation. He is to show them the how? He is to carry his church members along with him, to show them how to visit the sick and the elderly. He is to demonstrate how to counsel and witness to others. He is to be a model for his church members.

In summary, the Pastor is to take his church workers through a five stage sequential Leadership Training, and human resources development program as follow:

The Model stage which is a-do-it-yourself approach of leadership by example e.g. Jesus Christ washed His disciple feet, punctuality at church programs by the Pastor etc.

The Mentorship stage which is a-do-it-in-their-presence approach i.e., by praying with them, joint visitation, joint evangelism to avoid a similar request of Jesus’ disciples of teach us to pray (Lk. 11:1).

The monitoring stage is by exposing them to prescribed Spiritual assignments. It is a-let-him-do-it-in-my-presence-approach. It is a learning on the job technique, for the fulfillment of the saying that; experience is the best teacher.

Subsequently the next stage is a-let-him-do-it-when-you-are-not-there-stage. This will enable the Pastor to duplicate himself in the life of his followers (Heb. 5:11-14). He is to help his followers to discover and develop the gift of God deposited in them (I Tim. 4:16). It is "a-let-him-do-it-in-the-presence-of-another-person-stage".

Educators have understood for a long time that the best method of training is still the apprenticeship method. This is a one-on-one or hands on training. It is the kind of training that a blacksmith, plumber, or lawyer would have received a hundred years ago, by observing and by doing, while being accountable to a master in the trade. Apprenticeship was Jesus’ method of training his followers. His disciples learnt by watching, listening and doing, while they lived their lives with the master teacher himself.

This method of training was what the apostles used in their days. In Old Testament time the men who did worthwhile work for God and carried God’s people from one level of blessings to another had first serve under their spiritual leaders.

In leadership training, there is the need; first of all, for training by association We see beautiful patterns of this type of training throughout the scripture: Elijah raised Elisha, Moses raised the seventy Sanhedrin, and Moses also raised Joshua. Paul nurtured Timothy while our Lord Jesus Christ raised the Twelve disciples (Mk 3:14–15), and later on the Seventy (Lk. 10: 1, 17-18). This is the key to the multiplication of ministry. This is the way Christianity is meant to expand according to God’s plan of multiplication.

The materials in this book had been used to train church workers in various churches both within and outside Nigeria. They are designed for use in the New Believers Class and for the training of church workers so as to educate them about the demands of their new responsibility in Christ and to enhance the quality of their service in the church of God.

The Christian nurture materials in this book are specially packaged as a teaching and training guide for the use of Church Leaders. The contributors to this book are seasoned Biblical Scholars and Teachers of the Word who are tested General Over seers in their respective Ministries. It is my belief that the materials in this book will be of immense help to the contemporary ministers of God in their bid to train and equip new converts and church workers for the work of the ministry, and for edifying the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12).

SECTION 1

1.1. THE CHURCH WORKER

And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elisha (2kings 3:11).

Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her, be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord (Isaiah 52:11).

Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully (Jer. 48:10).

a) Who is a church worker?

A church worker is the servant of the servant of God (2kings 3:11, Exod. 17:8-9, 24:13). He/she is a co laborer together with the pastor in the church of God (2 Cor. 6:1). The work of God in the church cannot be done by the children of Satan, it takes those who are possessed by the Spirit of God to do the work of God profitably and successfully. This is because except the Lord works in a person he cannot work for God. Except the work of Grace is accomplished in a person’s heart, he cannot be a servant in God’s Vineyard.

A Church worker is like a Vinedresser dressing God’s Vineyard. When God created Adam and Eve. He puts them in the Garden of Eden to dress and keep it (Gen. 2:5). The Garden could be spiritually termed as the church of God. A Christian church worker is a servant in the household of God, who must be obedient and fruitful, who must not be lazy or slothful in his spiritual assignment in the church of God. (John. 5:17).

When you are born again by giving your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior, you are to take your commitment to Christ very seriously; you will then be able to follow Him by living a life of fellowship, holiness, study and service in His Vineyard (Luke. 1:74-75, Heb. 10:26, Luke. 9:62).

b) The emergence of the church workers’ ministry in the church of God

The first picture of a church worker began with the emergence of Lot in the ministry of father Abraham (Gen. 12:4). We also read of the problem which Abram encountered while trying to help Lot to fulfil the vision of God for his (Lot) life. Father Abraham also had Eleazer as a faithful worker in his ministry during his life time (Gen. 15:2), 24f

In Exod. 18:13-26 we read about the advice given to Moses by Jethro, his father-in-law and the subsequent emergence of the 70 Sanhedrin as workers in the Ministry of Moses in the church in the wilderness (Acts 7:38, Exod. 18:25-26), to reduce the burden of the work of God for the man of God (Moses). And this pattern was followed by subsequent Spiritual Leaders in the Bible who raised and trained workers for the work of their ministries. Our Lord Jesus Christ elected12 workers (Mk. 3:14-15) and then 70 other workers (Lk. 10:1,17). In Acts 6:3-5; the Bible instructed that, "look ye out among you seven men of honest report full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom whom we may appoint over this business"

Also in his address to Titus whom he called his true child in a common faith (Titus 1:4), Apostle Paul set forth as one of Titus pastoral task, instructing him that: And the things thou has heard of we among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also (2 Tim. 2:2). Paul’s admonition is that we commit our vision conviction and ministry goals to faithful men. Faithful men end up being able and graduate to being proven men and leaders as required in I Tim 3: 10.

c) Typologies of church workers in the Bible

The seventy Sanhedrin (Exodus. 18:25-26).

Joshua the servant of Moses (Ex. 17:8-9, 24:13).

Elisha the servant of Elijah (2king 3:11).

Caleb one of the 12 spies sent by Moses Num. 14:6,24). He directed the in vision of Judea and settled in Hebron (Joshua 1:15).

David in the ministry of Saul (I Sam. 16:21-23).

Timothy (2 Tim 2:2; Titus 1:4).

Samuel as a worker in the ministry of Eli (I Sam. 1:24, 2:11,18).

Joseph as a steward in Potiphar’s home (Gen. 39, 1, 4).

Onesimus (Philem. 10, 13, Col. 4:9).

The 12 Disciples in the ministry of Jesus (Mk. 3:14-15 ) the 70 disciples in the ministry of Jesus Lk. 10: 1, 17).

The 70 disciples sent out two by two by Jesus Christ (Luke 10:1-20).

d) Some examples of failure in stewardship

Lot a self-willed child of God who was not submissive to leadership and brought convenience to his service to God (Gen. 12: 4, 13, 5-10, 14: 8-16 Gen. 19).

The Ten spies who came with a majority report to Moses in the church in the wilderness.

Gehazi; a worker in the ministry of Elisha( 2 kings 5:20-27).

Ananias and Sapphra in the early church (Acts 5: 1-3).

Demas (2 Tim. 4: 10).

Archibus (Col. 4:17).

Achan (Joshua 7:1).

Judas Iscariot (Lk. 22: 3-6).

The builders of the tower of Babel: these people had a good plan but with a worldly and default motive. God saw them as rebels. (Gen. 11:6-8).

b) HOW TO INCULCATE THE ATTITUDE OF COMMITMENT IN CHURCH WORKERS

1.2. WHAT IS COMMITMENT?

Commitment is giving your whole loyalty to a particular course of action. It is doing your utmost in your calling with all diligence. It entails doing your work at the right time, at the right place, with the right frame of mind, willingly and without compulsion. It could also be said to be an act of responsibility, in doing the work of God assigned to you regardless of the circumstances, situations and conditions in which you find yourself in the course of such duties. (Col. 3:17; I Cor. 9:17).

a) Commitment could be illustrated in the following ways:

It can be seen as submission to a person, by identifying with the course of a person who has authority over you.

It is a sign of love for things which we have purposed to do, whether in our business, in things pertaining to our earthy endeavors, or things pertaining to our spiritual assignment.

It is a zeal to do exploit in the Body of Christ by being prompt and reliable in all our Christian responsibilities.

Many Christians are lacking in the spirit of commitment because they cannot pay the price of commitment which entails a perfect and an unconditional love. God’s love to the world is an unconditional one that made Him to give His only begotten Son to the world (John. 3:16). Jesus Himself also, has this love for us (Rom. 5:8). The Bible says; This is how we know what love is; Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers (I John. 3:16.)

In the Old Testament, Abraham, the father of faith, yielded himself after he had been called by God to leave his father’s kindred (Gen.12:1-4). This is an example of commitment to a divine injunction.

b) Examples of committed people in the Old Testament are: -

Enoch (Gen. 5:12-24).

Noah (Gen. 6:6-27).

David (Psalm 69:9; 84:10).

Daniel (Dan. 1:8; 6:10).

The three Hebrew Brothers; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3:12,16-18).

Joshua (Ex.38: 11).

Nehemiah. (Neh. 4:6).

     In the New Testament, examples of people who exhibited the spirit of commitment during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ are; Peter, John, James, Mary Magdalene, etc. (Mt. 17:1, Mk. 5:37).

In Acts 2:41-47, we have examples of people who received the Gospel and were called Christians, how they devoted themselves to the Apostles teachings Fellowship, the breaking of bread and to prayer. What made these habits to possible in their lives was that they loved the Gospel of Christ which they had heard and received. It is only through love for the Gospel of Christ that a person can be committed to God and to His work.

     In the Gospel of St. Luke, there was an account of a family called Zechariah, a very devoted family of God. Despite their domestic problem, God testified about their righteousness and their commitment to their service to Him (Lk. 1:5-15). Unless there is a zeal for Christ and his Gospel, to be committed to God will be a problem and one’s service to God will be done with inconvenience inconsistencies in adequacies.

c) In what areas can one be committed?

We should be committed in the following areas: -

Giving – of our attention talents treasure and tune to the things of God like the Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:30-37; Rom. 12:13). We should give to the needs of the Body of Christ, which may not necessarily be in terms of finance only but also making oneself available.

Evangelism: - The ministry of reconciliation had been given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what we should do in order to bring more people to the fold. I Cor.9: 16; II Cor.5: 18; II Tim. 4:5.

Prayer: - Through prayers we bring God’s will to be manifested in our lives and needs of the saints are met. (Lk. 18:1)

Teaching: - Teaching is required in the area of church growth for edification, exhortation and comforts of the saints. Acts.8: 30-31; Eph. 4:11-12.

Helps: - These are various services rendered in the household of God with the aid of the different gifts distributed by God among the Believers. Such Helps ministry may include Ushering, Choir, Intercession, Care, Counselling, welfare, administration, etc (Acts 9:4)

d) Requirements for commitment

Being born again: It is only a born again spirit filled person that can conveniently be committed to God’s work. This is because there is consistently a yearning in his spirit to work for God.

Living a surrendered life: A life dependent upon the dictates of the Word of God. There is need to be fully dependent on the Holy Spirit for enablement to do God’s work effectively. (John.15:5). The Bible says; It is not by power but by my Spirit say the Lord of Host. (Zech. 4:65)

Having a set goal: Setting of goals is highly recommended for effective commitment and also to be a great achiever in life and ministry.

Willingness to work hard: The work of the kingdom is not for slothful people, so there is the need to be diligent. Jesus said unto them my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish His work.

Given to prayers: - Prayers has its place in everything we do. Prayers could also bring desired strength and enablement to