Understanding God’s Chain of Authority and Its Impact on Leadership 7-1-26

Total Chaos!

All of my life as far as I can recall, the deacons have been next in line (not chain of command) the pastor. Let’s see what the Word of God says rightly divided.  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 1:15).

By the way, God first, family second, and then ministry. Notice that some contents from a  previous message may be reiterated; Jesus did the same thing- many things He said and taught were repeated. This also happened with Paul when he wrote to the church. Some of Paul and Peter’s writing are very similar, which is interesting because they were not together when they wrote. The Holy Spirit gave each of them what to write. Let’s start with what I believe is the most understood scripture that is so wrongly divided.   

Qualifications of Overseers - This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position [office] of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;  one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice [young in the faith], lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover, he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

Here are some key words- what does bishop mean? It is an interchangeable word: superintendent, overseer elder. Who are the five ministry office gifts? They are elders, overseers; the ones who function in the church regularly.

They are the pastor and the teacher; the apostles, prophets and evangelists go beyond the walls. Apostles establish church with the prophet working along beside him. Why? There may be dangers and so on that the prophet see because he has been graced (anointed) with the ability to see whatever may be wrong in this instance.

I searched to see what the symbolism of the five fingers meant and agreed with AI that said: To understand the representation of the five-fold ministry offices, consider the following points: I agreed with all except the apostle which is the thumb who establishes (holds everything together along with the prophet (Index Finger) who guides and points the way, providing direction and insight from God, both inside and outside the church.

Evangelist (Middle Finger):

The evangelist ministry gift extends wherever the Lord sends him or her; known as the middle finger which extends the furthest.

Pastor (Ring Finger): Represents care and commitment, nurturing and shepherding the congregation, symbolic of being married to the people of God.

Teacher (Little Finger): provides foundational knowledge and understanding of Scripture, ensuring sound doctrine. The teacher reminds me of the late Albert Burke of whom this attribute definitely fitted him.

Qualifications of Deacons- Likewise, deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,  holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.  But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.  Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.  For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 3:8-13).

Search for yourself to see if I am telling the truth and how your unclear perspective does not line up with the Word of God (Acts 17:11).

Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org