God has given the ministry as a gift to His people. Jesus Christ supplied the ministry and remains active in the church. The job of the ministry is to equip the saints by perfecting them and putting each person into the condition they should be in. The ministry prepares the saints for the work of ministry and for the offices of ministering in divine things. Jesus Christ gives each person to the ministry so that the ministry can prepare that person for service in the Kingdom of God. The ministry builds up the saints through edification and spiritual advancement. The ministry works over time to build the saints into the perfect man and to bring them to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. The ministry teaches exact knowledge so that the saints can participate in that knowledge and put it into action. The ministry brings the saints to full maturity and adulthood in mind and understanding. God puts doctrine and teaching into the church through the ministry. The ministry holds the word of reconciliation. God inspires the ministry and puts His words and teachings in the minister's mouth for the edification of the saints. The ministry can and must correct the church when needed by crying aloud and showing the people their sins. The authority of the ministry exists for the edification of the saints and not for their destruction. A member may hold a differing opinion from the pastor but should submit the matter in prayer and ask God to guide the pastor's answer while preserving unity. The pastor works for Jesus Christ and must reflect His love and service. The pastor must not be autocratic or interfere in private lives.

Paul describes himself as a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. Both of these titles are at the same time humble and exalted. The word for servant in the New Testament is doulos and that means slave or a bondslave. Apostle is an official rank in the church. It means an authoritative messenger sent from a greater personage or body. Paul clarifies the purpose of his powers. His powers as an apostle of Jesus Christ and a servant of God are focused on building the faith of God's elect and teaching the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness. Paul's authority is almost completely spiritual. He does not have the authority over a member's business. His responsibilities are spiritual in nature. God did not give him authority to manage people's lives. He did give him authority to preach the truth and build their faith and teach them wisdom to live in a way that pleases God and correct them in love if they strayed from the path. Ministers are shepherds not sheriffs. It is not the ministry's job to make decisions for people. The ministry's job is to lay out God's truth give knowledge and then people make the decision based on their relationship with God using the Holy Spirit. Paul repeatedly emphasizes that his authority over the church and the preaching of the gospel was a direct commission from God Himself. Titus and Paul believed the same way and taught the same things. Titus' preaching had the full backing of Paul. They were not to despise Titus because he was not the apostle. An elder must have a firm hold on the gospel on God's Word on what he has been taught by his predecessors. He must stand behind the Bible in its fullness in its wholeness nothing taken out nothing added in. An elder relies on God's Word and is able to use God's Word in the various jobs that he is given.

Even an apostle has a sphere of responsibility appointed by God and must not go beyond it into another man's area. God appointed the apostles within the limits of their sphere. In terms of the church especially in terms of the ministry they have been set apart for a specific responsibility. It is important for a minister not to go beyond that specific calling and appointment. God has given all a sphere of influence responsibility and authority with limits on each. The word allotriepiskopos refers to an overseer who has stepped outside the bounds of his authority and meddles in areas he has not been given responsibility for. Jesus Christ refused to go beyond His sphere of responsibility appointed by God at that time. We cannot presume to take an office or authority that is promised but has not yet been given.

The church constitutes Christ's treasure, hidden in the world, purchased and redeemed with Christ's blood. The Pearl of Great Price depicts a rich merchant (Christ), the only one who had the means to redeem His church. The Dragnet symbolizes the scope of God's calling while the separation process indicates God's high standards of selection, indicating a time of righteous and impartial judgment. The Householder parable shows the responsibility of the ministry to be authoritative interpreters of scripture, using what they have learned and experienced to instruct the people.