Bishop Reginald Doby
Word Pentecostal Church
and Compassion Ministries
‘THE SERVANT HOST OF GOD SERVANTS’
Our knowledge and use of appointed, ordained and consecrated
ministerial assistants to the High Priest (Bishop) has changed through out the course of time and the possibility of having to tweak the assignments of those in service, is just about inevitable; which should foster a more efficient faithful effort to meet
the spiritual needs within the community of God’s sheep; note: tweaking must be done without compromising the will of God, for HIS sheep. Most in-house assistants to the Prince in the LORD’s House must be and are a major
component, making-up the ministerial staff as we know them to be! Some are Presbyters (Elders) and Deacons, the Diaconate. These Ordained Ministers are required to participate fully, faithfully, and appropriately to the needs of their local assembly
at the behest of the Pastor or Bishop, and his Bishop and yours, who is Christ! In some instances at the behest of a Ruling Elder who is a pastor. Persons who are called into ministry bring to
the table their life’s experiences. These life experiences have a tendency to influence one’s approach to ordained leadership, which is not necessarily wrong, but can hinge in shades of gray, and shades of gray is not where the
called, anointed, and appointed servant leader can operate. How incoming leaders or incumbent leaders are trained matters tremendously, if they are going to be fruitful as leaders who edify the community of God’s sheep, whether in
the field or in the house.
Therefore what is about to be shared with you should be stored in your heart of hearts, for the purpose of faithful
service and stewardship to God’s Servant Leader! As a pastoral assistant, you are a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, yielding your mind, soul, body, and spirit in service
to the Pastor which is a ‘called reasonable service’. When incorporating principles I will lay out for all pastoral assistants and any other ministerial assistants, you must realize the humongous favor bestowed upon you
to be Servant Hosts in the development and mentor-ship of the sheep in the Church of God. However, there is and must be a godly allegiance from Servant Hosts (pastoral assistants)toward their cover (Pastor)
with respect that must be mutual (reciprocal between pastor and assistant) in application. The command of faithfulness is a role mutual to priest and assistant, realizing the responsibility is essential to all, if their God
given assignment and potential is to be realized and released.
So I submit this guide to all of God’s incumbent or potential Servant Hosts who serve the people of God
under leadership of God’s Servant Leader the Prince / Pastor in the Lord’s House. For all of us, our reed of measurement is Christ! Ref. Ephesians 4:13 (MSG) 13 until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other,
efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.
By HIS grace
✝Reginald Doby
'THE SCOPE'
Once a pastoral assistant (curate, armor bearer / adjutant) has successfully completed their training,
and by the leading of the Holy Spirit, ordination is in order along with title and assignment, and the charge to go forth with their commission to execute their duties for which they have been called, trained and anointed. They are also to be under
the watchful eye of the incumbent who most often will be the Pastor, the Ruling Elder, or the Bishop of the pastoral assistants congregation.
Each pastoral assistant
regardless of there title is ordained into the ministry of the church where they have membership, for service! It is customary for the assistants to start as a deacons or deaconesses and
once proven, [there must be emphasis on proven] be elevated to that of minister taking on greater ministerial functions and duties as assigned by a Bishop, Pastor or Ruling Elder . The
pastoral assistant should serve at least a minimum of one year before being elevated; and not elevated if the Holy Spirit is not in agreement, therefore prayerfulness is a critical necessity.
Pastoral assistants should not be left alone but, they are to be kept under the guiding and instructional eye of the incumbent (Bishop, Pastor or Ruling Elder). Do-Not ever forget ‘Mistakes’ will be made, and the incumbent must allow for mistakes with a loving corrective heart and not with a lording spirit. Ref. Galatians 6:1 (NASB)
1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. And 1 Peter 5:3-4 (NASB) 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted
to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
As those who give
correction / reproof must be circumspect, the receivers of such correction The Pastoral Assistants must be able to receive correction, or they will go astray. Ref. Proverbs 15:31-32 (NASB) 31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
Will dwell among the wise. 32 He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
Adjutants who are pastoral
assistants but, their ministry of service is more geared to that of the Pastor personally and should already be in a priests status. At this point I will formally inject the term curate, a curate is a person who is invested with the care or healing
of souls in a church AKA pastoral assistant who serves the church at the behest of the pastor. The curate should be in their assistive role for at least three years whether teaching Sunday school, visitation, prayer service, etc. The major focus
is for pastoral assistants to glean training and preparation for elevated assignments. Therefore the pastoral assistant / curate’s initial time in service, should be understood as
a time where development, growth, and a maturing into a faithful ambassadors role for God kingdom work. The pastoral assistants must engage in study, prayer, honing and tweaking their spiritual gifts and skills. Managing their time wisely and gleaning
as much knowledge from the Servant Leader possible to foster their personal growth along with the community of God’s sheep. It is during their faithful service in kingdom work that the pastoral assistant blooms into their ministerial
role they have been called into for God. Each pastoral assistant who serves faithfully will accrue wisdom through the experience of service within ministry in the Church moving them toward elevation. They will surely espouse to strengthening
the details of their theological and practical knowledge coupled with experience gained via training, be it practical or by mentor-ship. However, after a pastoral assistant has been elevated by ordination their newfound role ushers in new
skill sets, responsibilities, assignments, and functions. The role of pastoral assistant is a period that can be described as that time when the pastoral assistant’s ministry is under supervision and in transition.
The pastoral assistants training received or given must be meted out during the time they are being supervised or in their transitional state, this has to be a collaboration between pastoral assistant, the bishop,
pastor, or ruling elder; in other words a partnership:
However the question must be asked here before we go any further; ‘who is qualified to be in partnership with
the Prince or Angel of God’s House? Another way, who can assist the true Servant Leaders? For ‘True Servant Leaders’ are given to us by God! Ref. Jeremiah
3:15 (MSG) 15 I'll give you good shepherd-rulers who rule my way, who rule you with intelligence and wisdom.’
John Macarthur asks the question in
his book on leadership pg. 89: “who is adequate to partake in Christ’s triumphal parade and be an instrument through which the incense of the gospel message is diffused to all? Who in himself is qualified to receive accolades from almighty
God for service rendered to Him on behalf of Jesus Christ ?” Lets go to scripture where Paul who asks the same question “who is sufficient/adequate for these things?”II Corinthians 2:16. If you would
reference v14-16 the reference would be made as to what we should be, and that is a vessel where the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Christ is emanating from us triumphal to some as life and others as death. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
(NASB) 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;
16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? Are you up to the
task???
Be prayerful and sensitive to the Holy Spirit for all God has equipted you to do, and the fruits of you labor
will acknowedged by the Lord Himself! While you are at it send up a prayer this servant of God.
Please if you have questions, forward in comment section
or to bishoprd9@verizon.net
Stay Tuned In For More On The Pastoral Assistant Training Series.