Dear Brother,
In the past, we’ve talked about church membership. We’ve all known we were members of the Body of Chris. But which member? Figuratively speaking, are you a foot, or an arm, perhaps a little toe? Once a man told me, “I want to be the neck, because it is closest to the Head.” Another, standing by, knowing his pride, chimed in to say, “Yes, and you think the neck turns the Head, and brother, you have a real hard time receiving from anyone!”
Perhaps it is not so important to know which member of the Body, rather to know the joints where we are connected. It is through the joints that we receive life and movement. It is by “what every joint supplies, that the Body is edified, increasing itself in love.” Ephesians 3:16.
Brother, your covenant relationship with your pastor, your apostolic oversight, should be the most active, life-giving joint that you have. Members are identified as a part of the Body, but each member is truly attached to very few joints, yet without the joints, the Body is dismembered!
In your joint with your apostle/pastor, life flows into you. In this joint you have accountability. You should have a covenant bond in your joint with him. He has accepted the responsibility and stands guard to watch for your soul. Ecclesiastes 4:12 gives us a picture of a man under attack, saying that “if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” As your pastor joins with you in the Lord, seeking to know the perfect will of God, it is a bond, not easily broken.
Indeed, your apostle/pastor can only pastor a person to the degree he wants to be pastored. I’m writing to encourage you to identify your joint with him in the Body of Christ, and to exercise to strengthen that joint. Your apostle and pastor may influence a great number of people, but he has genuine authority with a very limited number. You should be in that number.
Take time this week to search the Word and hear from God concerning your joint, that in the depth of your heart you would be established. Then reaffirm with your pastor, that yu want him to have genuine authority on your life, bringing both direction and correction. May the Lord meet with you in this time of confirmation.
Bruce
