This is adapted from a Podcast Script on this subject
· Bishops, Priests, and Deacons are called to their ordained roles by God
· These ministers swear before Almighty God that they believe the Scriptures to be the true Word of God and they further swear to defend the faith
· These ordained ministers are the shepherds, working in the stead of the great Shepherd Jesus Christ, to care for and protect their sheep who are given over to their care
· This is not only a high standard of ministers to live up to, but it is also an awesome responsibility they have taken on
· Those who are unwilling or unable to shoulder these responsibilities need to carefully examine themselves before entering the ordained ministry
· The ministry to the people is not just about preaching lofty sermons with lofty words from the safety of the pulpit, which run the danger of emptying the gospel of its power
· Their ministry is to care for and protect their sheep, and this requires talking about the dangerous traps that Satan the father of lies and deception sets for all of us
· It also requires talking about in no uncertain terms what it means to follow Jesus Christ and the importance of following Christ in obedience to the life He calls us to
· The Church of Nice tries to find every way possible to avoid talking about obeying the commandments and lessons that Christ teaches us so that we can truly pick up our cross and faithfully follow Him
Comments