Podcast Summary: Building A Strong Local Church, Part 4

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Host: Dufresne Ministries
Guest Speaker: Edwin Anderson
Event: Holy Ghost Meetings 2021, World Harvest Church, Murrieta, CA
Date: January 13, 2021
Episode Focus: Building a Strong Local Church, the role of pastors, partnership with traveling ministers, protecting the flock, and honoring pastoral authority.

Overview

This episode continues Pastor Edwin Anderson’s series on “Building a Strong Local Church.” The core message is the biblical model for partnership between churches and traveling ministers, the pastor’s duty to protect their congregation, and how honoring pastoral authority leads to spiritual benefit and church health. Anderson addresses controversial topics with candor, including the boundaries a pastor should set regarding external influences, support, and the defense against deception or disorder brought by outsiders.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Biblical Foundation for Building the Church

• Main Text: Matthew 16:18 — Jesus is building His church, and to be Christlike is to participate in this.
• Building Together: Pastors are to help Christ build His church, reflecting His purpose and focus.
• Anderson:

  "If you want to be Christ-like, then help Him build His church. Because that's what He's all about, is building His church." [00:42]

Partnership with Traveling Ministers: Boundaries and Best Practices

• Biblical Partnership: Jesus and Paul had partners—people divinely joined to support them (see 3 John).

• Modern Practices and Cautions:

  • Some traveling ministers aggressively seek direct support from congregations, especially through social media or mailing lists.
  • Historically, itinerants depended on local churches for support due to limited technology.

• Setting Boundaries:

  • Anderson emphasizes it is the pastor’s responsibility to guard the congregation from being solicited by every minister who visits.
  • Partnership should not be transactional or based on mere marketing but on real spiritual connection and trust, as led by the Holy Spirit.

  Anderson:

  "I don't allow every traveling minister that comes into my church to solicit my congregation...when a pastor has somebody in to minister, that is a de facto endorsement of that ministry. And church people trust their pastor to bring people in whom they can trust..." [06:31]

The Role and Authority of the Pastor

• Pastor as Steward and Protector:

  • "The flock is under my stewardship, and they're not a commodity...to be traded for financial favors." [11:26]

• The True Basis for Partnership:

  • Partnership (financial support or otherwise) should result from the Spirit leading, not coercion or routine.
  • Anderson encourages young traveling ministers to focus on ministering authentically and letting partnership arise organically.

  "Instead of trying to do an end run around the pastor, just demonstrate love and good ethics and minister to that congregation." [13:35]

Honoring and Receiving from the Pastor

• Scriptural Mandate:

  • Matthew 10:40-41, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, and Hebrews 13:17 are cited to clarify the role of honor, submission, and the unique pastoral anointing.

• Misunderstandings:

  • Many only honor their pastor while he's in the pulpit, not realizing the pastoral anointing is continuous—guiding, loving, protecting at all times.
  • Dishonor and rebellious attitudes block one’s ability to receive spiritually.

  Anderson:

  "Your pastor's anointed all the time...The pastoral anointing is the anointing to love, feed, care for, guide and protect the flock. That's the pastoral anointing. And it's on the pastor all the time." [17:35]

  • Choosing not to heed the pastor’s guidance—even in small requests—undermines the flow of spiritual blessing.

Dangers Facing the Local Church: False Ministers and Drifters

• Spiritual Threats:

  • Jesus' parable in Matthew 9:36 and John 10:10 is unpacked: sheep are vulnerable without a shepherd; thieves and wolves threaten the flock.
  • Pastors must act as spiritual doorkeepers, maintaining discernment and, at times, confrontation.

  "Only the pastor of all these fivefold ministries...can truly watch for the saints' souls because the other traveling ministers don't know the saints." [29:48]

• Protection by Pastoral Authority:

  • Anderson shares stories of how setting clear boundaries and confronting harmful influences prevented division and spiritual harm in his congregation.
  • High-profile "drifters" (successful business or community people) who move from church to church often cause strife; pastors should avoid being seduced by prestige.

Illustrative Anecdotes: Standing Up to False Prophets and Disorder

• Confronting a False Prophet:

  • Anderson recounts entering a small group meeting, decisively labeling an intimidating self-proclaimed prophet as a “pitiful drifter...a false prophet,” and instructing his church members to leave with him. [56:15]

• Handling Disruptive Outsiders:

  • Stories about dealing with self-proclaimed prophets and troublemakers illustrate the importance of sharp, loving rebuke as required by Titus 1:10-13.
  • Protecting the flock sometimes requires decisive action against manipulative or immoral individuals.

  “If God has a message he wants to give to me, he knows better than to send a cigarette smoking, adulterous, homebreaking prophet to correct me.” [1:09:46] (laughter from audience)

Instruction to Pastors: Courage and Confidence

• Practical Advice:
  • Newer pastors should look to seasoned mentors but remain confident in their calling and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
  • Pastors must boldly protect, teach, and—when necessary—rebuke for the sake of the flock.
  • The fruit: Families who honor their pastor experience generational blessing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Partnership & Stewardship:

  "The flock...doesn't belong to me. It's God's flock. But the flock is under my stewardship, and they're not a commodity..." [11:26]

• On the Continuous Pastoral Anointing:

  "Your pastor's anointed all the time. The pastoral anointing is a different anointing...it's on the pastor all the time." [17:35]

• On Wolves Waiting to Attack Churches:

  "What were they waiting for? Why weren't these savage wolves already there? They were waiting for Paul to leave, because they perceived upon Paul's departure that there would be opportunity..." [49:20]

• On Rebuking Disruptors:

  “It’s not right. You’ve got to stand up and protect your flock.” [1:13:12]

Key Timestamps

• 00:42 – Anderson introduces the core theme: building the church and partnership.
• 06:31 – Rationale for limiting traveling ministers’ influence; biblical examples.
• 11:26 – Flock as stewardship; not "commodities."
• 13:35 – Partnership: Spirit-led, relational, not transactional.
• 17:35–23:30 – The continuous anointing and role of honoring the pastor.
• 29:48 – Only pastors truly protect the flock.
• 49:20 – Spiritual authority as a shield from wolves and drifters.
• 56:15–1:09:46 – Stories about rebuking false ministers and protecting the congregation.
• 1:13:12 – Final exhortation: be bold, protect the flock, and trust in God’s calling.

Conclusion

Pastor Edwin Anderson delivers a candid, scripture-based message on pastoral authority, partnership, and the sacred duty of protecting and nurturing the local church. He challenges both pastors and church members to honor God’s order, recognize spiritual threats, and value the unique, continuous anointing on the local pastor for the health and longevity of the church. His message is filled with practical challenges, humorous and sobering anecdotes, and a call to bold, Spirit-led leadership.

Listen to the full episode for additional context, scriptural references, and illustrative stories.