Now, I do not know who Jonas Clark is but quoting others who are just as wrong as you are does not make you right. His argument here is so disingenuous. We use words all the time that do not appear in the text. Rapture does not appear once. There were comparable words to pastor however, such as shepherd, which is what pastor actually means. Clark is technically right that pastors did not build churches. That was considered apostolic work because it was primarily Paul who was doing it. That is why apostles were called sent ones. Pastors were however sent to lead those churches once established and Clark just ignores that fact. Timothy for example did not build the church at Ephesus but was certainly sent to lead it. Clark continues:
"In reality we have created a structure of church services that is designed to bless, nurture and comfort attendees. After all, that is the dominate grace on the pastoral ascension gift to comfort, bless, nurture, protect and lead to still waters. There is nothing wrong with being a pastor. What we are discussing is the transition into an apostolic model of ministry that enables us to be more effective in establishing and advancing the Kingdom of God. There will always be a set man over a congregation. Scripture says, "Let the Lord the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation" (Numbers 27:16). Apostolic ministry models may have a plurality of leadership gifts working together to equip believers known as a presbytery but there will always be one set man that is ultimately responsible before God to apostle a church." -- Jonas Clark
No Jonas, God created the structure that way. This model however is anathema to NAR dominionists because it focuses on the sheep instead of the world. What Clark, Burton and the NAR want is power. Sure, they will let someone with a pastoral calling still work but they will no longer be in control. The focus of the church will become even less focused on the Gospel. Here after ten pages of set up, Burton admits through the writings off Jonas Clark that he wants to be in charge. It is a devious scheme of the enemy to create churches not led by shepherds. To be led by people who are enamored with this world. People who think sheep should fend for themselves and feed themselves.
"The Holy Spirit is going to restore an effective structure of ministry that will empower you to raise-up strong sons and daughters in the Lord that will take the battle out of the church and into the city. Apostolic ministry gifts are spiritual master builders that carry the revelation of Christ governing Church. As Paul said, "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon" (1 Corinthians 3:10). -- Jonas Clark
This will come to a shock for Christian-culture warriors but there is no battle we are supposed to be engaged in outside the church. We are a shining city on a hill, not an army taking territory. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. The radio program Fighting for the Faith has a cute slogan; "Blue Sleeps Faster Than Tuesday." It is a perfectly fine sentence. It is grammatically correct and has all the necessary components of a sentence. It just doesn't mean anything. We see this here in this beauty:
Apostolic ministry gifts are spiritual master builders that carry the revelation of Christ governing Church
This sentence means nothing. Clark or Burton dreamt this up in their wickedly deceitful hearts. To break down the arrogance however -- John Burton and Jonas Clark believe and teach that God has given them a prophetic revelation that they should lead the church as super-duper apostles. They call this a revelation of church governance and the only people who carry this vision and can attest to it are the very same mega apostles that benefit from it! Read the entire section of 1Corinthians 3 and you will see that while Paul does say that he was a master builder, nowhere does it say that only apostles and prophets or apostleprophets can build on top. The larger point Paul was making was that his was the foundation upon which anyone can build -- not just a special group of super spirituals like the Prophetic Apostle Burton.
"The Purpose of the Church
