David Francis is a good friend and Director of Sunday School at LifeWay. He has consulted with my staff and small group leaders in churches I have served, and I have asked him to provide a guest post for me today.
Katartizō – A one word job description for pastors
The HCSB uses 10 different English words to express the rich meaning of kartizo. The most prominent of its 13 occurrences is in Ephesians 4:11-12, where it describes the equipping role of the pastor-teacher. Taken together, the six meanings below provide a pretty comprehensive view of a pastor’s work.
1. Equip or train.
The best known use of katartizō is in Ephesians 4:11-12.
And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ….
The ESV uses to equip. The NASB has equipping. Equip is also employed by the CSB in Hebrews 13:20-21 and fully trained in Luke 6:40.
2. Mend or restore.
Did you know that the word is also used to talk about mending nets and restoring people to health? There is more to katartizō than just teaching and training and equipping to do a task or fill a position. Matthew 4:21 (and similarly in Mark 1:9):
Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called them.
In everyday usage, katartizō was used to describe the resetting of a broken bone. That idea is captured in these verses:
Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted also (Galatians 6:1).
Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. (1 Peter 5:10)
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be restored, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11)
Some people need to get mended before they can be put to work. That’s part of our role as equippers. Who in your ministry has experienced mending or restoration this year?
3. Prepared.
Take a look back at how God has prepared you as you consider the way katartizō is used in Hebrews 10:5 and Matthew 21:16.
4. Created or framed.
Katartizō in Hebrews 11:3 relates to the role of leading:
By faith we understand that the universe was created (KJV has framed) by the word of God, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible.
How are you “framing up” the vision God has given you for your church? Do you have a framework for making disciples?
5. Complete and Mature.
These uses describe the goal of disciple making. Isn’t that what really drives us?
…as we pray earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith? (1 Thessalonians 3:10)
In fact, we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray that you become fully mature. (footnote: Or become complete, or be restored ) (2 Corinthians 13:9)
Who in your ministry has matured this year? Rejoice!
6. United.
A final use in 1 Corinthians 1:10 is so fitting for a church that is on mission.
Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united (KJV has perfectly joined together) with the same understanding and the same conviction.
This is my favorite use of katartizō, and the one that demonstrates that all the other meanings are happening! In my workbook Spiritual Gifts, I describe three characteristics of the gift of leadership: vision, motivation, and harmony. The last is the true differentiator. It is the high water mark of katartizō. God has prepared you to do the work of equipping, mending, and framing to make mature disciples in a context of unity. That’s the job description! How’s it going?
*************
Thousands of David’s little books on launching and leading Bible study groups are in circulation. They can be downloaded free from the iTunes store, with the LifeWay Reader app, or in PDF format at www.lifeway.com/davidfrancis.
