Set Apart for the Mission: A Biblical Understanding of Our Pastoral Transition

There are moments in a the life of a church when God moves servants into new assignments.

Sometimes within the local church ministry.

Sometimes beyond the borders of the local church.

These assignment changes can feel

Unexpected

Uncomfortable

For some a couple questions may be in your mind

Why would I step out of the pulpit of his local church.

Why would I move from shepherding a congregation to leading a mission agency?

I had these same questions.

Last week we talked about the biblical model for the next pastor.

Today, a better understanding of a biblical model for the outgoing pastor, me, and the church’s role in what’s next for me.

It should help answer the two previous questions.

Hopefully you walk away understanding why this transition should be exciting for the church.

Acts 13:1–5 ESV

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.

This passage has been a help to me, and hopefully a help to you.

There will be a recurring theme that will come up in almost every point of the sermon.

1. God raises up leaders in the local church. (vs 1)

This is not a new thought, but we need to see the impact in another area.

Luke paints the picture of a healthy church.

There were multiple leaders.

“Prophets and teachers”

When God is raising up multiple leaders through a local church the natural outcome should be to send some out.

Barnabas and Saul were listed among the leaders of the local church.

Sending from a local church should be sacrificial.

God moves those who are already highly involved.

We are reminded in this passage that God’s ministry revolves around the local church.

(Eph 4) tells us the local church trains and equips disciple-makers.

The local church trains and raises up pastors and leaders.

It is the church that Jesus promises to build.

This is passage is speaking of a specific local church that impacted the world eternally.

Vs 1: “Now there were in the church at Antioch…”

This all happens within a local church.

THE church

AT Antioch

They already benefited from a church sending.

Jerusalem sent Barnabas.

We understand that transition impacts the local church.

First Baptist Church is being impacted by God moving individuals.

Understand that this even happened in scripture.

It is through the ministry of the local church that God shapes and prepares His people.

It is because of what God is doing here that my family is excited about the next chapter in our lives.

It is because of what God has taught the church over the past almost 11 years that I believe we have an opportunity and ability to help other churches.

Not just what we are doing strengthening this church.

But the ability to share it with others.

Paul’s pastoral ministry in Antioch prepared him for his next ministry.

Paul didn’t begin his ministry traveling the world, he began in Antioch.

In some ways it feels as if I am stepping away from a shepherding/teaching ministry.

That isn’t the case.

The people I’m shepherding and teaching is just different.

It is natural that God would raise up leaders in the local church because…

A. The local church is where spiritual reproduction happens.

Acts 11:25–26 ESV

25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

A. The local church is where spiritual reproduction happens.

Barnabas intentionally went and found Saul and brought him back to the church in Antioch where they served together.

Barnabas poured into Saul.

It is through the local church that disciples are made.

Individual spiritual reproduction.

We talked about individual investment last week.

We can’t forget that…

It is through the local church that churches are planted.

Corporate spiritual reproduction.

My involvement with church planting is by extension your involvement as well.

This is a part of this local church corporately reproducing itself.

It can’t be substituted for FBC planting a church, but it should be recognized that it is an investment of FBCHC in church planting and revitalization.

B. A current ministry could be preparation for a greater ministry reach.

Paul did not begin as a missionary—he began as a teacher and leader in a single congregation.

“In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers…” (v. 1)

Paul and Barnabas were already serving, teaching, shepherding, and shaping the local body.

The local church should be the greenhouse for leaders God intends to send.

God often expands our ministry influence after we have been faithful with the ministry opportunities already in our hands.

Serving God is not about chasing greater platforms, but stewarding our current opportunity well.

Luke 16:8 ESV

8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.

Application

A pastor moving into mission leadership doesn’t leave local church ministry ministry—he extends the impact of the local church.

Larger influence begins with serving right where you are - where God has you.

2. God moves leaders to new assignments through the Holy Spirit. (vs. 2)

A. There was a command given by the Holy Spirit.

“Set Apart for Me Barnabas and Saul…”

This transition of Paul and Barnabas is initiated by God, not by human ambition.

I had no desire to change my ministry.

It was the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Not a desire for something different.

Not some strategic plan.

Not a poll

But the still small voice of the Holy Spirit.

The phrase “set apart” (ἀφορίζω) means:

To separate for a specific purpose

To appoint or assign to a defined mission

Because CBM will pay my salary and I don’t have to raise support like a missionary, it may feel like I’m simply switching Jobs.

This is not different than us sending a church planter or missionary.

We can’t miss that it is the Holy Spirit who did the moving.

It can be that still small nagging voice.

He can use friends.

He can use a sermon.

He can use Bible verses.

He can use circumstances.

But it is always the Holy Spirit that does the moving.

God’s commands demand obedience - with anyone involved.

B. The command comes in the context of worship, prayer, and ministry.

They were “worshiping” and “fasting” and “teaching”—the change comes while they were faithfully doing the work.

We don’t see any hint that Barnabas and Saul were looking for something else.

But they were willing when the next step came.

Change comes in seasons of prayer, burden, and deep surrender.

But never to those who are not already serving where God has them.

Never underestimate the power of faithfully gathering with your local community of believers

Worshiping God

Praying to God

Doing the ministry that He has in front of you.

You may do that for the rest of your life.

He may expand the reach of your ministry.

What is God doing in our midst today as we worship, pray, and serve?

What is the Holy Spirit doing in your heart that you need to obey?

In this case it was a very obvious command…

Today it is less obvious an more about listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit then obeying that prompting.

What has the Holy Spirit been doing in your heart?

What step of obedience do you need to take today?

God raises up leaders in the local church.

It is the Holy Spirit prompts them.

What about you, the congregation?

3. God uses the church to affirm and send leaders (vs 3)

A. The church participated in their sending

They didn’t fight what God was doing.

They didn’t hold Barnabas and Saul back.

They weren’t confused or resistant to God’s plan.

The church in Antioch was not concerned about its own survival.

They were concerned about the mission in front of them.

It is my prayer that our going is only the first of those we will send out from our church.

They (the church) laid hands on Barnabas and Saul = affirmation, blessing, and commissioning.

They prayed.

They affirmed.

They blessed the men.

They sent the men.

Paul did not leave the church - Paul was launched by the church - sent out.

The congregation sacrificially and excitedly responded to the Holy Spirit by sending.

You are giving to God’s greater kingdom cause.

Your are specifically giving to CBM.

Every church that is planted or revitalized.

Every church planter that is encouraged.

Every person God allows me to encourage towards missions

Every church planter that is encouraged.

Every church that takes another step towards obedience.

You are a part of that.

The church in Antioch had a part in, reaped eternal reward for every church Paul planted, and every leader Paul trained.

Application

This transition into a leadership role for the mission is a moment for the church to celebrate God’s work!

It shouldn’t be seen as a loss, but a greater investment in gospel ministry.

B. The command was not meant to take from the church, but it was meant for the good of the church.

Of the five men listed, Barnabas and Saul were the most prominent.

Barnabas

An encourager

A giver

A teacher

A disciple-maker

Well loved

Saul/Paul

A teacher

A leader

An up and coming contributor

Zealous for the work of the Lord

These men were overseeing growth in Antioch!

These were the two most gifted leaders and teachers in the church.

It wasn’t easy to send them.

It left a hole.

Yet their transition meant room for others to step up.

It caused others to grow and transition - good for the church.

They were set apart from Antioch but not disconnected from it.

Acts 14:26–27 ESV

26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

B. The command was not meant to take from the church, but it was meant for the good of the church.

Paul didn’t see this as leaving but reassignment.

Their new assignment was for the church’s mission expansion.

If we sent out a team to plant a church, it would hurt in the present but we would understand the eternal value it would bring and how good it would be for the church.

Antioch understood that sending Paul and Barnabas was good for the church,

We give Paul a lot of credit.

How often do we consider the sacrifice and obedience of the church for sending them?

Antioch was a church that was simply

Gathering faithfully

Praying and worshiping faithfully

Teaching well.

Yet the church was not there by accident.

Acts 11:19–22 ESV

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

B. The command was not meant to take from the church, but it was meant for the good of the church.

Through persecution Christians scattered.

Many ended up in Antioch.

Many were being saved - this was a church plant.

Jerusalem god word and sent - they didn’t ask.

God preserved them and prepared them for this moment.

Think about what it meant in the history of the church, think about what it meant in eternal value to be the church that prepared Paul for the next ministry God had for him.

Let’s be clear, though this new ministry is Pauline in nature, I am no Paul.

We need to remember that God has THIS church here in Howard City for a purpose.

Just as through the this church God has prepared my family for this next chapter

God has prepared you for the next chapter.

We have no idea what God is going to do through this transition, but I believe it will be a good thing that we can’t imagine now.

Application

A pastor transitioning to mission executive leadership does so out of obedience to a Spirit-shaped call.

This new role becomes a strategic part of the church’s mission ecosystem.

4. God broadens the impact of faithful servants (vs 4-5)

A. Paul’s transition multiplied the mission of the Paul and the church.

This role expands influence to multiple churches, leaders, and mission fields.

Paul’s role immediately expanded.

Paul traveled

Paul preached in new cities

Paul planted and help plant churches

Paul raised up leaders

Paul strengthened believers and churches

Paul coordinated mission strategy.

Because the church in Antioch sent Paul out from them.

This is a job description of my role at CBM.

Thus, his role expands not just my eternal impact but the impact of the church.

By God’s grace I’ve already been asked to speak in a few places next year.

Though I will officially be representing CBM and I will be telling the story of CBM

I will also be telling your story!

What God is doing here and how what God is doing here impacts the future of missions, and local churches.

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

A. Paul’s transition multiplied the mission of the Paul and the church.

I am going from FBCHC to the our Judea, Samaria

The vehicle God is using to get me there is Continental Baptist Missions.

CBM is a para church organization.

Just like Lincoln Lake is a para church organization.

Meaning that they operate “alongside” or “beside” not in any way replacing it.

CBM doesn’t exist without local churches.

I can’t do this ministry without my own local church.

B. Mission leadership is an extension of the pastor/teacher gift.

Mission leadership functions include:

Vision casting.

Supporting and strengthening churches.

Training missionaries.

Expanding gospel access.

Encouraging and shepherding church planters and builders.

Building relationships, networking, identifying and bringing together gifts and talents to help accomplish the great commission.

All things a pastor does.

Application

A pastor stepping into mission agency leadership multiplies his shepherd role, guiding churches, missionaries, and mission strategy.

Conclusion:

When God says “set apart” the church’s response is “send”!

The call of Paul shows…

Leaders are raised inside healthy churches.

The Spirit sometimes moves pastors into broader ministry roles.

The church should affirm and send with joy.

The mission expands when pastors obey God’s redirection.

Summary Statement

A pastor becoming the executive director of a mission agency is not a departure from calling—it is a deeper obedience to the same calling that began in the local church.

Acts 13 teaches us that:

God raises leaders inside the church.

God sometimes calls those leaders to broader roles.

The church affirms and sends them gladly.

The result is multiplied gospel impact.

A pastor transitioning into mission agency leadership isn’t an unbiblical idea—it’s modeled in Scripture.