Friday, December 31, 2010

KINGS AND PRIEST

"And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on
the earth." - Revelation 5:10 KJV

The Bible describes two distinct roles in the Old Testament-kings and
priests. Kings were the rulers; priests were the religious leaders. The
New Testament reveals we all are kings and priests because of the
redemptive work of Christ.
Today, kings are most often represented by business and political
leaders, while pastors represent the priestly roles. God calls each of
us to fulfill both roles in our lives today. However, our vocational
roles often create a division that is misunderstood by both workplace
believers and pastors. These misunderstandings have led to a weakened
and less effective Church.
Pastors have been guilty of viewing their workplace believers as dollar
signs. They sometimes see them for what they can contribute to their
ministries instead of equipping them to use their gifts and talents to
impact the workplace believer's mission field-their workplace.
Workplace believers have tried to get pastors to operate their churches
like businesses, and have used their worldly ways for spiritual
purposes. They often view the pastor as the primary ministry worker
instead of taking on the responsibility themselves to do the work of the
ministry.
This is a grievous sin that exists in the Body of Christ, and it
requires repentance from both groups. Unless we recognize this, we will
never see the reality of revival that God wants to bring to the business
community, and pastors will fail to gain an ally to fully complete the
work of the Church in their community.
Are you a pastor who has failed to see the calling that workplace
believers have received to the workplace? If so, ask God to forgive you
for viewing your workplace believers as those to be used for your own
purposes.
Are you a workplace believer who sees your church as another business to
be run based on worldly measurements? Do you see the pastor's role as
one who is primarily responsible for the work of the ministry? If so,
you must repent and ask God to forgive you of this unbiblical view. God
has called both of you to fulfill His purposes together through your
gifts and talents.

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