A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

Ses s i on 3: The Ce l ebrat i ons of a Di sc i p l i ned L i fe 91

2. Practical insight: Our growth in discipline and maturity is greatly helped when we have solid mentors and clear models to follow. We need leaders who can help us mature in Christ so we can serve him.

3. Supporting commentary:

The New Testament pattern, then, involves, both a generalized and a particular ministry. When the Apostle Paul uses the term pastor he equates it with teacher and makes it very clear that this is by no means the whole conception of the ministry. The ministry is for all who are called to share in Christ’s life, but the pastorate is for those who possess the peculiar gift of being able to help other men and women to practice any ministry to which they are called. . . . the idea of the pastor as the equipper is one which is full of promise, bringing back self-respect to men [sic] in the ministry when they are sorely discouraged by the conventional pattern.

~ D. Elton Trueblood. The Incendiary Fellowship . San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1967. pp. 40-41.

E. A rule that cherishes, learns, and imitates the lessons drawn from the experiences of the saints (i.e., the tradition principle)

1. Exegetical evidence

a. Exhortation to avoid those who spurn apostolic tradition, 2 Thess. 3.6 – Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. b. Command to hold onto the traditions received from the representatives of the Lord, 2 Thess. 2.15 – So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.