Pastoral Dependence -A Sign Of Disorder
Submitted by Clay Sikes

Many of God’s people are restless for a new move of God. They dream of a Church with power, of a life of God-inspired destiny, of victory as promised in the Bible, but like so many sitting in pews from Sunday to Sunday, they are bound to one of God’s greatest enemies – Church tradition. Internet lists and worldwide discussion groups reveal that the Body as a whole suffers tremendously from this malady. Until we are structured properly with God’s appointed Church government, the desired results will not be seen or experienced. Many wonder why they feel so restless in their One-fold, Pastor-led congregations, often thinking something is wrong with them!

One-man ministries heading and administrating today’s churches and constituting much of today’s Church government are a major part of this problem. God’s plan includes using the entire five-fold ministry to equip the saints (Ephesians 4: 11-15). Anything short of that will not produce life in the hour. Pastors are a vital link to ministry and God’s order in the church; however, to continue to limit the other dimensions of ministry is to continue in the man-led powerlessness that allows Goliath to continue assaulting and taunting the Church. Many in the Body today are silently challenging the role of the Pastor as the entirety of ministry. The Church cries for more of God.

Medically, I would not go to a foot Doctor with a heart ailment, likewise, if I have need of a prophetic word, I would not look to a Pastor? While not discounting the value and vital importance of the Pastor, to forego the vital importance of other ministries is to reveal the danger of tradition. Church leaders must realize the Body is still growing and attaching itself to its proper parts and still and will always need worship and other forms of ministry as an ingredient to spiritual life, especially Church life. Pastors have all too often been preoccupied with sermons for Sunday, building programs, and building ministries while leaving the purpose and intention of the Holy Spirit out completely. I, like many others, do not wish to hear sermons, but rather what the Spirit of God is saying.

Like Pharaoh, many Pastors have kept God’s people bound to the pews and constantly molded into a man inspired, one-fold, Church custom; but take heart Saints of God, our Lord has heard our cry and deliverance and order are coming forth in this hour. Some in Pastoral ranks will be open and recognize this move of God’s spirit and begin acknowledging the ministries in their midst. Many will not, preferring to continue on in what one of today’s great prophets categorizes as "the tyranny of the familiar."

True ministries are not out to rule but to serve. Who is in charge is less important than the freedom to move in God’s appointed authority and direction. True ministry can only come from having God’s authority, not trying to attain it. Many in the Body today are willing vessels with a great anointing untapped by their Pastor-leaders. The ‘old order’ binds God’s people instead of releasing them into their calling.

Clearly, the Church has operated without much power for many centuries, and this IS the hour of the prophetic and apostolic ministries, whose responsibility and God-appointed mission is clear in Ephesians 2:20 and Ephesians 4: 11-15. It should be evident to every one-fold Pastor-led congregation that the present day Church is lacking. Some have stated that people are being demonically inspired to leave the Church. This, in my humble opinion is incorrect, but characterizes the blinders on many pastors to recognize the real problem. People are leaving the Church because they want more of God and Pastors who operate in the ‘old order’ will not recognize the many ministries and callings around them, most of which sit in their pews. John-the-Baptist said, "I must decrease that He might increase." Jesus was the entire five-fold ministry which He graciously left us. The Lord is again raising Himself up through these ministers and ministries and He will increase in this hour.

Saul’s Armour, the old order, does not work. A new Davidic Order is being raised up to bring life to God’s people. The typical ‘Saul Type’ would like to maintain Minister-Dependent people and churches, where he (the Pastor) is worshiped and adored by the people, remaining the center of attention, and purportedly hearing God for the people.

Typical of this ministry are several traits which have been with us for years – control and manipulation of the sheep, no reproduction of ministry in others, no one else acknowledged for what they are called to do, little to no victory in the life of the people, pastor, or church as a whole, unfinished buildings, closed Christian schools, defunct programs and ministries. So little honor or respect is given to the prophetic and apostolic ministry, those anointed to conceptualize, structure and direct the Church (Ephesians 2:20), that there is small wonder why the Church is in such a state of confusion and disorder. The mentality and mindset of these type pastors is "big me and little you."

A God-inspired restlessness has indeed hit the Church. To put it in simple terms, the people are not willing to wear Saul’s Armour any longer. On the other hand, the Davidic order is now coming forth worldwide. I submit to you that David reached into the brook and chose five smooth stones – symbolic of the five-fold ministries coming forth, often with people who have been hidden (submerged) for many years, who have been washed by the water of the word until the rough edges have been honed into smooth surfaces. These five stones – any of which can be used at the time they are called for, WILL slay Goliath in this hour. Goliath has taunted the Church long enough. It is time for the Church to take Her rightful position, operating victoriously in winning this earth for God’s divine purpose. However, for this to happen new wine (new Church order) will have to be poured out and only those with "new wineskins" can and will receive it.

Six years ago the Lord spoke very clearly to me and said, "Any ministry that is not connected to the prophetic ministry in months and years to come will miss my next great move." He also said, "Ignorance often comes disguised as tradition…anything growing will change, be open, be willing, be flexible to change." God desires His people to be MINISTRIES dependent, not Pastor dependent, BUT ONLY to the extent that we teach, lead, and equip His people to be God dependent for themselves.

May God forgive each and every one of us who have been guilty of thinking that we are the bridge between God and His people, as if we must hear God for all of His second-class children in the congregation! Let us discern the Body properly in order that we may be joined by God’s spirit to those we are called to be joined to. May we begin to recognize the callings in others and acknowledge the entire five-fold ministry as viable and vital parts to the entirety of God’s Body – The Church.

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