Ephesians 4:12 He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church. (The Message Bible)
It takes years of training to become a doctor, or an airplane mechanic, or even a pastor, but probably the most meaningful and important position a person can occupy can be acquired without a degree or certification of any kind- that of being a parent. People who will easily drop $100,000 and four years of their life for a bachelor’s degree that will supposedly prepare them to get a job will create and try to raise a child, or children, with little more than hunches and tidbits they picked up from their families of origin. This is all to say that the importance of an undertaking is not always directly proportional to the preparation put towards it. A congregation, institutionally, can reflect this principle also. Too often offices are filled by anyone who is willing and available. They take up their work based on a desire to duplicate some past experience without ever considering that they need to develop spiritual or leadership skills. God gives us the scriptures (gifts of apostle, prophet, and evangelist) and the Church (pastors and teachers) as a means of becoming a skilled servant. I seldom see them approached this way. Do you? What in your week will train you for “skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body?”
Logan Memorial Presbyterian Church 