Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness

Paul consistently points out that his appointment as an apostle was not his doing, but God’s. With human ecclesiastical organizations, this is something we tend to forget with people today. Indeed, sometimes today God seems to have very little to do with who occupies what position in the Church, other than permission. In a sense, people should occupy Church office because they can’t help it (though God does not violate our free will). Paul had a clear grasp of why he had been made an apostle, and that was to build up the faith and knowledge of those God had chosen to be saved. That job description can be applied to virtually every Church office, with variations in how it is applied. What makes an apostle different is that in Greek, the implication is of one who is sent, much as an ambassador. That does carry a strong implication of authority, but the focus is not on the apostle/ambassador himself, but on the one sending him. The one sent cannot overstep the authority of the one sending. Whether apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher, those set by God into place in His Church must remember that they are servants of God, not independent people doing their own thing. Their purpose is always to build up the Body of Christ for the glory of God.

I am a pastor/teacher, yet in a number of respects I fit the description of apostle, because the closest equivalent in modern usage is missionary. People react, generally negatively, when someone takes the job title of apostle, and often with good reason. Those using the title often forget that the first term Paul used was servant/slave, and they also tend to forget that their purpose is to build people up, not inflate themselves in any way. I have had a fair bit of trouble with my own job title/description, and at times that has gotten in my way. In some respects it seems inappropriate to call me a missionary, because I have no sending organization. I am a pastor, but by default and not choice, really. I don’t seem to do a terribly good job at it! I am a teacher, but not in some recognized framework in the Church. What I can say is that I’m a servant of God, and I am here in Omura because God sent me here. How well I have done at what God had for me to do is His business to judge. From my viewpoint, I don’t have much to crow about, but I am God’s servant and He is my judge.

Father, You know me better than I know myself. You know what You have placed in me, and what I have done with it. All I can do is trust Your grace and mercy, but I know that grace is all I need. I ask that Your will be done in every area of my life and of this church, and each member of it. There is no church, no Christian, without problems, but again, as You told Paul, Your grace is sufficient for us.(2 Corinthians 12:9) Help me not rail at my weaknesses, but rejoice in Your grace. May all that You desire and intend be accomplished in me and in this church, today and each day, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!