Every Christian should be a functioning member of a local church. The only way for a Christian to fully mature is to sit under five-fold ministry gifts.
"It was he (Jesus) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (Eph. 4:11-12 NIV).
The pastor is called of God to feed the flock and have oversight over them. He brings in others to minister their different gifts to the congregation as the Spirit leads.
In today's society you can listen to these gifts in men and women on television and radio, but that is not enough to mature us. Christians also need the ministry gift of a pastor to oversee them. The Bible declares:
To the elders (pastors) among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.There have been times that pastors and others have perverted the things of God. However, Christians must find a pastor they can respect and attend that church. That is how they grow and mature in the Body of Christ...and these things just can't be done by watching church on television in one's living room.
(1 Peter 5:1-3 NIV)
Christians are also to become involved in the local church and minister their God-given gifts (1 Peter 4:10-11; Rom. 12:1-8).
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Joe Cameneti Sr. is the lead pastor of Believers Church, located in his hometown of Warren, Ohio. Pastor Joe, along with his wife Gina, pioneered Believers Church in 1983 following his graduation from Bible School.
In addition to leading a thriving local church, Pastor Joe is the host of a weekly show called "BCTV." The program is aired locally, reaching over 30,000 people each month.
Pastor Joe is a gifted communicator, skilled in the art of building bridges to unchurched America. Transparent and authentic, you'll walk away challenged and encouraged to connect with God in a deeper way.
