• A multiple-level pastoral network under the governing leadership of an apostolic presbytery facilitates boundless increase in membership and produces apostolic teams to expand the move of God to other places.
A. Presbytery in a local church
A 'presbytery' is a team of pastors or elders that forms the governing leadership of a local church.
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (1 Timothy 4:14 KJV).
• The Greek word for 'presbytery', presbuterion , means 'the order of elders'. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words defines presbuteros (translated as 'elder') as one of the persons 'being raised up and qualified by the work of the Holy Spirit, appointed to have the spiritual care of, and to exercise oversight over' a local church.
1. Pastoral network in a local church
In the New Testament, elders or pastors were appointed in churches established by apostolic teams (see Acts 14:23).
• 'Elders' are 'bishops' (Gk: episkopoi , 'overseers'), chosen on their leadership and character to give tender care and vigilant superintendence on the members of a local church (see Titus 1:5, 7).
• These spiritual overseers of a church are pastors (Gk. poimen , a shepherd, used figuratively as the ministers called to guide and feed the 'flock of God), keeping watch on their spiritual condition and making sure they are progressing healthily (see Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-4;
Hebrews 13:17). These overseers are recognized as elders in status and experience, pastors in function.
• Cell Leaders are actually doing the job of elders or pastors (see Ephesians 4:11). Those who have established a Section of twelve Fellowship Cells (with a total membership of 144 persons) should be ordained as pastors or overseers.
• 'Elders' in the New Testament is always in plural. It denotes pastors operate in team ministry to lead a local church (see Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2-4, 6, 22; 16:4, 20:17, 28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5:17, Titus 1:5-9; James 5:14, and 1 Peter 5:1-4).
• A multiple-level network of pastors allows boundless increase in membership.
• At the top level of this multiple-level pastoral network is the 'presbytery', the governing leadership of a local church.
2. Autonomous governing led by Christ
The New Testament shows there is no human authority over presbyteries.
• Christ, the Head of the Church, governs these presbyteries directly from heaven through the Holy Spirit (see Acts 13:1-4; 16:6-10; Colossians 2:19).
• The presbytery of a local church should therefore be an autonomous governing body, led by the Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
• Until having commissioned at least one functional apostolic team, a local church should consider itself still in a process of ongoing development.
When forming a presbytery for a local church:
• It should be done with apostolic wisdom (see Titus 1:5).
• It should be done in humility with fasting (see Acts 14:23).
• It should be done with prayer (see Luke 6:12-13).
• It should be done by the direction of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 13:2)
3. Apostolic dimension in presbytery
A presbytery can be apostolic if there are apostles among them.
• An apostolic presbytery has a pioneering anointing to break through into the spiritual realm and cause heaven to open over a community, a city, or a nation. Great blessings are released. Signs and wonders manifest. Changes and revivals are taking place.
An apostolic presbytery is essentially a team ministry.
• The Council of Jerusalem is an apostolic teamwork where there is much discussion and consultation before James led to conclude the matter (see Acts 15:16-35).
• An apostolic presbytery is to be led by an apostle who is strong in vision, ability, and leadership.
An apostolic presbytery produces anointed apostolic teams.
• The first apostolic team was birthed from the apostolic presbytery of the church at Antioch , which consisted of Barnabas and Paul. Their second apostolic team consisted of Paul, Silas, Timothy, and some others. These two apostolic teams planted many churches and raised up presbyteries. A pattern of reproducing presbyteries and apostolic teams for a continual expansion was formed.
• God is raising up apostolic presbyteries around the world, operating in power to impact communities, nations, and regions.
4. Fivefold offices in presbytery
Suitable apostles, prophets, teachers who stationed in a local church should be appointed for the presbytery.
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:28 NKJV).
• Apostle, prophet, teacher, are the three highest ranks in fivefold gifts. Operating together, they can deliver a tremendous amount of governmental anointing.
• The apostolic anointing enables pioneering and keeps the church on the cutting edge.
• The prophetic anointing keeps the local church up to date in revelations.
• The teaching anointing keeps the church established in the Word of God.
• The Early Church developed in the fivefold offices firstly on apostle, second prophet, and third teacher. Then on elder, and evangelist (see Acts 11:27, 13:1, 14:23, 21:8; 1 Corinthians 12:28). Respecting unity in the Scripture, the office of 'pastor' is the position of an 'elder'.
• Pastors and evangelists should station always in a local church to shepherd the flock of God and to win the unsaved.
• A church committed to transform the community must have hundreds of pastors over a boundless membership and hundreds of evangelists for winning people in the community.
• A church with all five offices in the presbytery and in its leadership network can manifest Christ's fullness to the world (see Ephesians 4:13).
B. Ordination of pastors in churches
To 'ordain' means 'to set, place or appoint'.
And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power (Gk: exousian) to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils (Mark 3:13-15 KJV).
• Christ gathered a team of twelve disciples and 'ordained' them as apostles. At the point of ordination, He gave them authority to operate in the spiritual realm.
1. Ordination to be conducted in the Spirit
Ordination done in the Spirit imparts the anointing to bear fruits.
Use the gift you have, which was given to you through prophecy when the group of elders laid their hands on you (1 Timothy 4:14 NCV).
• Members in a presbytery should be able to minister prophetically and lay hands for imparting the anointing.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you (John 15:16 KJV).
• The original apostles whom Christ had chosen were ordained to give lasting results.
Ordination done in the Spirit transfers honor.
So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, because my Spirit is in him. Put your hand on him, and have him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the people. Then give him his orders as they watch. Let him share your honor so that all the Israelites will obey him” (Numbers 27:18-20 NCV).
• 'Honor' means high public esteem, fame and glory.
• When pastors are ordained publicly before the entire congregation through the laying-on of hands, honor is transferred upon them. The congregation will honor them, submit to their leadership, and cooperate with them.
2. Ordination of pastors is an apostolic function
The setting and ordaining of pastors is done through an apostolic team.
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed (Acts 14:23 KJV).
• Ordained pastors are responsible to govern the local church.
• Suitable ones will be appointed for the presbytery of that church.
• A group of believers becomes a local church only when pastors have been set in place and ordained by an apostolic team.