Church Partnership (like Lawyers)
I have heard a lot of talk over the last couple of years about walking together in Christ. The Church that walks together will stay together. This is a pretty good notion but often times we say things that don't seem to show our united front. I got to thinking about how to describe a fellow worker in Christ. Can Pastors call fellow Pastors Partners in the same sense that Lawyers are Partnered in their practice? Even Doctors have these groups of partners to work together to help their patients.
Does this only work if you are Pastors of the same congregation? Or should it work for pastors of the same denomination? Maybe even just all pastors should be called partners in the Gospel? St Paul calls all Christians partners in the Gospel. We are all in this together. Yet, a Law Practice or Doctor's Office will have the Partners and then they will have other people that work for the Practice or Office.
So while all the churches in a denomination are in Partnership, shouldn't the Pastors also be called Partners. Not in the sense that they are more valuable than the laity, but maybe they are important. St Paul also talks about co-workers in the Gospel. Here again he may be referring to all Christians, but could just be referring to those in the Office of Public Ministry. Therefore, I do not have to be in a team ministry in order to have partners and co-workers in the Gospel.
It is good to know we are not in this alone. Now Church should ever stand alone, but united to a Confession and fellow Partners in that Confession. Who are your Partners? Who do you Confess with? Thank you for your time.
Does this only work if you are Pastors of the same congregation? Or should it work for pastors of the same denomination? Maybe even just all pastors should be called partners in the Gospel? St Paul calls all Christians partners in the Gospel. We are all in this together. Yet, a Law Practice or Doctor's Office will have the Partners and then they will have other people that work for the Practice or Office.
So while all the churches in a denomination are in Partnership, shouldn't the Pastors also be called Partners. Not in the sense that they are more valuable than the laity, but maybe they are important. St Paul also talks about co-workers in the Gospel. Here again he may be referring to all Christians, but could just be referring to those in the Office of Public Ministry. Therefore, I do not have to be in a team ministry in order to have partners and co-workers in the Gospel.
It is good to know we are not in this alone. Now Church should ever stand alone, but united to a Confession and fellow Partners in that Confession. Who are your Partners? Who do you Confess with? Thank you for your time.
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