🧭 Setting the Record Straight: There Is No Separation of Minister and Ministry
- Terry W. Bailey
- 11 hours ago
- 5 min read
By Pastor Terry @ docbmedia.com
Growing up in America, I was exposed to a lot about the separation of Church and State. Most folks quote it like it’s in the Bible—it’s not. It’s a phrase from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson, not a Scripture from the Word of God. But even more dangerous than that cultural misunderstanding is a spiritual one I’ve been seeing—and it’s sneaking into the Church like a snake in the garden.
Here it is: the lie of the “separation of Minister and Ministry.”
Now you may be thinking, “Wait, what?” Let me explain.
Too many Christians—good, sincere folks—have bought into the idea that only the pastor, preacher, missionary, or evangelist is the real “minister,” and the rest of us are just here to support them. Like spectators in the bleachers, tossing a few dollars in the plate, showing up on Sunday, and clapping for the “called.”
But friend, that is not what the Bible says. That’s not God’s design. And frankly, that’s not how the Church is going to survive, thrive, or overcome in these last days.
Let’s be clear:
All Christians are called to be ministers. Only some are called to the Five-Fold Ministry.
📜 The Biblical Blueprint
Ephesians 4:11–12 says:
“And He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”
Now catch that—the Five-Fold (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher) were given to equip the saints. And who are the saints? Not statues. Not seminary grads. Not superstars.
You. Me. Every born-again believer.
The saints are all believers, and we’ve all been called to do the work of ministry.
The Five-Fold aren’t the only ministers—they’re the equippers of ministers. That means if you’re saved, you’ve been drafted. You’re not on the bench. You’re on the battlefield.
🎯 Satan’s Lie: Sit Down and Stay Silent
You can be sure that Satan loves this lie. If he can’t stop someone from getting saved, his next strategy is to convince them they’re not “qualified” to minister. So they sit back, stay silent, and keep their light under a basket.
Satan whispers:
“You’re not trained.”
“You’re not ordained.”
“You don’t have a pulpit.”
“You’ve got a past.”
Well, let me answer that with bold, Spirit-filled truth:
✅ You may not have a pulpit, but you have a platform—your job, your family, your community.
✅ You may not wear a robe, but you wear righteousness in Christ.
✅ You may not have a degree, but you’ve got the decree of the King: “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel.”
✅ You may have a past, but you now have a purpose—and a testimony that hell can’t erase.
You are not a spectator. You are a minister. Your ordination came in blood—the Blood of Jesus.
🪖 My Commission Is Still Active
You see, I’m a retired military man in the eyes of the world, but in the Kingdom of God, I haven’t retired—I’ve been re-fired. When I said yes to Jesus at 28, I didn’t just become a “Christian,” I became a soldier—a minister—a witness of His grace.
I served in the pulpit for two decades. Still, long before I ever stood behind a podium, I spent my life—on the job site, in logging, sawmill, construction, in Alabama, Louisiana and later Logging in Oregon from near the Coast, the Reservation in the East, and all around Mt. Hood, sometimes in the middle of nowhere. But once I was Saved, wherever God has planted me, I have been on assignment.
Because I’m not the ministry—ministry is in me, and it’s in you too.
🚢 Ministry Is Not a Stage—It’s a Life
We need to stop thinking of ministry as something that only happens on Sunday at 11 AM with a microphone. Ministry is:
Helping a neighbor carry groceries while praying under your breath.
Texting a Scripture to someone at 2:00 AM.
Loving your spouse with Christlike kindness even when it’s hard.
Sharing your story with a coworker at the lunch table.
Praying over your children as they sleep.
That’s ministry. That’s Spiritual warfare. That’s kingdom work.
And if the devil has convinced you that your life doesn’t “count,” it’s time to call his bluff and report for duty.
🧭 For the Five-Fold Called—A Word of Clarity
Now let me be just as clear: not everyone is called to the Five-Fold Ministry. That’s a specific, God-ordained office requiring Spiritual maturity, training, and authority. Paul didn’t appoint elders casually; Jesus chose the twelve after nights of prayer. That calling is sacred—not to be confused with popularity or passion.
So if you’re called to the Five-Fold, walk worthy of the calling, and don’t let discouragement, man’s opinion, or the fear of inadequacy stop you.
But for the rest of us, let’s not think for a moment that not being Five-Fold means we’re not ministers.
God doesn’t have an A-Team and a B-Team.
We’re all ministers. We serve in different lanes.
⚓ Final Word: Let’s Set This Ship Right
Let me say it as plainly as I can:
The Church isn’t sinking because it lacks powerful preachers.The Church is struggling because too many Christians have separated themselves from their ministry.
It’s time we end that division.
There is no separation of Minister and Ministry in the Kingdom of God. If Jesus saved you, He commissioned you.
You may never stand on a stage, but your life is on display. You may never hold a Bible in a pulpit, but you are the only Bible some folks will ever read.
Don’t wait for a title—take up your towel. Don’t seek a position—pursue presence.
🎯 Your Move, Soldier.
If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, let today be your re-enlistment. If you’ve believed the lie that you’re not a minister, tear up that contract—it was forged in hell.
Let’s rise together—Five-Fold and Faithful, Preachers and Plumbers, Teachers and Truck Drivers, Nurses and Neighbors.
The harvest is plentiful. The laborers are few.
So I’m asking you… will you labor with me? Will you say, “Here am I, Lord—send me”?
Because the devil’s been lying long enough, and it’s time we set him sailing.
🚨 Let this post serve as a call to arms, a revival of purpose, and a bold declaration:
“I am not just saved. I am sent.”
Amen?
Pastor Terry
One Truth At A Time
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