Bishop Reginald Doby
Word Pentecostal Church
and Compassion Ministries
Those who are Incumbents (the current holders of leadership posts or assignments) must be able to teach for they present themselves as Godly models of expertise, prayer
habits, study habits, supervision, and with a willingness to impart the Pastors vision and leadership across the whole church. 1 Corinthians 12:28 (NLT) 28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets,
third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages. Teaching is a critical component and therefore each reformation
should have an Initial Continuing Ministerial Education (I.C.M.E), the training should be consistent in it doctrine, we do know lessons have to be tweaked at times but; the doctrinal premise gleaned from Scripture remains the same.
• the church must render herself in a support role, by meeting out encouragement and also allow the new curate (pastoral assistant)to learn and grow inclusive of making mistakes.
Ref. 1 Thessalonians 5:10-13 (NASB)11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. 12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and
give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
• The Curacy and Meaning of : A curate[1]
is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls in a church. In English-speaking countries the term curate is commonly used to describe clergy who are assistants to the pastor. The duties or office of a curate are called a curacy (as the office
of a president is a presidency). the curate / pastoral assistant brings to the table their own gifts, skill sets, and life’s experiences and training; and with the gifts that our Lord God gives, we are to share what He has given that others will share
in the Grace of a truly loving God. Ref. 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NASB) 10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances
of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The purpose of a curate (Pastoral Assistants) is:
to share in the Pastoral Vison from God, (Ref. Proverbs 29:18 (NASB) 18 “Where there is no vision,
the people are unrestrained”), to execute the ministry and mission for the sheep of God’s Church. The pastoral assistant may not have seen the vision, but is willing to serve and support the Pastor’s vision. The pastoral assistant
will routinely engage in prayer for the God given vision, so that the Holy Spirit will mold and shape ministry, gleaned knowledge, and for the guidance in the use of God issued skills and expertise acquired in ministry. Doing what is required and called
to do, as a representative of leadership in the local church. Pastoral Assistants should receive and reflect upon supervision, via a wide range of experiences, in order to develop their ministry as an assistant to the pastor, and for the future. All
assistants to the pastor must bear in mind they are to constantly engage in and Participate fully in study of the Holy Scriptures which is able to make one wise unto salvation, by faith in Jesus Christ. Ref. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 (MSG) 15 why, you took in
the sacred Scriptures with your mother's milk! There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth,
exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. 17 Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. Also, 2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB) 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman
who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
The curacy(pastoral assistant) is NOT about: The Incumbents:
•
having an extra pair of hands – either in the church. The curate comes to the table with specific gifts and skill sets, but they are or may be very much in the raw, therefore you (incumbents, pastors, ruling elders) must willingly give up
some of your time to mentor and supervise, and especially during the curates early months.
• It is not about making them your means to get your work load done, but about
remembering your beginning.
• Good and Godly Servant Leaders will not place unwarranted, unreal, or unmanageable expectations or projections on the newly ordained
persons. Luke 11:46 (NASB) 46 But He said, "Woe to you lawyers as well! For you weigh men down with burdens hard to bear, while you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers.
• leaving a clearly competent curate (pastoral assistant) ‘just to get on with it’;
• reproducing without thought and
reflection the pattern of curacy experienced by the training incumbent; Hebrews 5:12-14 (MSG) 12 By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from
square one—baby's milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! 13 Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God's ways; 14 solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong.
• stereotyping without acknowledging gifts and valuing past experience.