Pastoring at Home
it was not uncommon to have churches in homes at the beginning of Christianity Paul, on at least four different occasions, sends greetings to and from individuals and
“the church that is in their home” – Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Philemon 2
On 2 of those occasions, Paul is speaking to women – so, this is not a gender issue
For equipping us to Pastor at home, I want to look at 3 ministerial roles that Jesus served in Priest, Pastor & Prophet – to give us a pattern for ministering at home
Leading at home does not begin with preparing a lesson
It begins with you, first, preparing yourself by drawing close
Priest – functions on behalf of your family
3 unique things we want to draw on concerning the priests
1. An important part of their ministry happened in the Holy of Holies – Private Place
2. The priest represented the people to God – mediate & intercede
3. The priest offered sacrifices
Your responsibility as Priest of Your Home does not begin in front of your family
It starts with entering the Holy Holies – a Private Place with you & God
Matt 6:6
When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
As the priest, you represent yourself and your family
“Go In” and Intercede for your family
Sometimes, you’re Praying for those who can’t or won’t pray for themselves
Rom 8:26. “We do not know how to pray as we should”
Umbrella Ministry
As Priest, you’re covering everyone in your household
They benefit from you functioning in your role
Never say you don’t know how to pray
God is not wanting formality – Jesus chides the Pharisees for long, prayers of pretense
He’s your Father & He wants relationship & openness
So, just talk to Him
Offered sacrifices
God is listening to what you’re praying & watching what you’re doing
The “Offering of Sacrifices” is honoring God, the Gift-Giver & the Provider
out of your gifts & provisions
This brings blessings, the Bible teaches, on your house & generationally
Levi tithed in Abraham - Heb 7:9
You are building a Memorial
Acts 10:4 – the Angel came to Cornelius
Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
Pastor – for my family
Pastor: Shepherd
· Care
· Feed
· Lead
Ps 23 is a good place to understand that role
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Care & Feed
Needs are met
Healthy diet – balanced
You feed them naturally, you must make sure they eat spiritually
A good shepherd selects the green fields for his sheep to eat in – Sound Word
Clear, calm, clean waters - vs - muddy, polluted waters
- it won’t hurt, nothing’s wrong with that
Ensures that the family can “lie down’ and have Rest & Restoration
Sheep only lie down when free from fear, stress and hunger
Pastor is responsible for the right Environment so the family can flourish
vs. 3 “He restores my soul”
This season is creating all types of stresses physical, emotional, financial, spiritual
Your house needs a Pastor
Make sure the waters are still & that the souls of your family members are not being broken
by anxiety, stresses & fears
· Don’t take out stresses on other family members
· Don’t put pressures on children
These are complex times for us
How are children interpreting something that they have no words for or life experience
Be patient with your children & “don’t provoke them…” Eph 6
Lead: It’s not telling them which way to go
It’s walking in the way and saying “Follow Me”
“Lead” in paths of righteousness
The pastoral role in the home is less about saying & more about showing
Prophet – to my family
Prophecy – Saying what God says
One who prophecies speaks Edification, Exhortation, Comfort – 1 Cor 14:3
Building up, encouraging & strengthening, giving comfort, consoling
God gives our words creative power & life
Death and life are in the power of the tongue – Prov 18:21
There’s something that God wants to say to your family that doesn’t apply to mine
As Prophet of the Home you
· Speak life over your family
· Speak blessings, not curses
· You can create your family’s future
Discerning the future sees beyond the present & speaks a positive future
Giving clear vision & directions for family in this storm
Prov 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Train: to touch with the spoon; to put something into the mouth, to give to be tasted.
Your family needs you as Prophet in Your Home now! Discerning the future
· See beyond the present crisis
· Speak to your family what God has on the other side of this!
This season has brought stresses, struggles & demands
· All of our Systems are Changing
· Uncertainty about the future
· Questions about what will be normal
In order to Pastor in your Home or properly Care & Lead
You must first be the Priest and ‘Go In’ to address your own uncertainties, insecurities, anxieties
Remember that when you speak as Prophet in your Home you’re not making anything happen
You’re Depositing the Seed – Word
Then as Priest & Pastor you’re watering that seed and caring for the soil
God gives the increase
He causes the seed to grow in hidden places
· Be patient
· Keep Ministering
As Priest, Pastor and Prophet, you are striving to household salvation
Ex. Lydia & her house (Acts 16); Philippian jailer & his house (Acts 16) Cornelius & his house (Acts 10)
Heb 11:7
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household.