Office of the Public Ministry

This is the high office of the Church. This office would reflect a connection between Apostles and Prophets with the Elder, Bishop, and Deacon of the New Testament. Therefore, you can say that when only the 10 are there in John 20 this applies to the Office of the Public Ministry. This could also support the claim that Matthew 28 extends to people outside of the 11 including the Office of the Public Ministry.

God places people over his flock to feed his sheep. These people of become Anti-Christs and have become great Saints. These people have a difficult task. They are required to follow certain requirements. The overseer or Bishop is to be have the qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy. So also St Paul lists the qualifications of the deacons by saying likewise. It is very hard at times to make a distinction in the New Testament between Elders, Bishops, and Deacons.

St Philip and St Stephen both preach and teach people about Jesus Christ's Death and Resurrection. These Deacons prove the office of the Public Ministry. St Paul was not a Pastor, he would not be a man above reproach and therefore he remains an Evangelist. But still they take part in the Public Ministry.

I think we need to take a closer look at polity to develop other offices which preform functions of a Pastor, and are recognized as part of the Office of the Public Ministry. These are simply different roles which people take in the life of God's People.

I would remain to equate Pastor and Bishop or Overseer. Therefore, the Pastor must have all the qualifications listed by St Paul in 1 timothy 3. But you will note a Prophet was an office held by women recognized by St Paul. St Paul would also recognize Lydia as a Deaconess. St Paul, I have been told, would not have recognized himself as a Pastor but as an Evangelist because he does not live up to the qualifications.

This may be insightful or just ignorant rant but I think these are the roles that the Church needs to face rather than narrowing the Office of the Public Ministry into some kind of Pastoral Office. Thank you.

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