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Ephesians 4:11–12 — “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

Pastors are not called to do all the ministry themselves but to equip the saints to serve. Paul reminds the church that pastors exist for the perfecting—or equipping—of the saints. Their role is to prepare God’s people for the work of ministry, building up the body of Christ together.

This truth corrects a common misunderstanding: the pastor is not the hired worker while the church watches. The pastor is the trainer, encourager, and guide, while the whole church engages in ministry. Every believer has gifts, and the pastor’s job is to help them discover, develop, and deploy those gifts for God’s glory.

Equipping involves teaching, discipling, and mentoring. It requires pastors to invest in people, not just programs. A church where the pastor does everything will remain weak, but a church where saints are equipped to serve will thrive.

For the flock, this means embracing responsibility. Ministry is not limited to the pulpit or the staff. Every member is called to serve, and the pastor’s leadership is meant to mobilize the entire body. When everyone works together, the body is edified, and Christ is glorified.

Equipping also protects the church from burnout. When one man tries to carry all the burdens, both he and the church suffer. But when the load is shared, the work is lighter, and the fruit multiplies. The wisdom of God’s design is seen in a church where every member ministers.

The faithful pastor measures success not by how much he does but by how well his people are equipped to serve. And the faithful church honors its pastor not by watching him work but by working alongside him.