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When I first began to pastor I was ready, I thought! It appeared after a couple of months that I was not as prepared as I thought. Many times I wished I had some help from the church members, but there was none. They would watch me, and let me make mistakes, knowing I was wrong, but there was nobody to help me clear those things. Once there was a misunderstanding, in which I had repeatedly declared my position, yet some members of the church continually failed to hear what I was saying, then spoke against me, and that behind my back.  I am very grateful to one church member, who came to me and talked to me about it. I explained again to him how I stood. He understood and helped me explain my position to the church.

Many times I felt very alone as I was having to make decisions without proper information from the church, which is very frustrating. I felt I would do better as the "second man" instead of the "first man". But I knew I was called to be pastor, not assistant. But I also thought I could have learned a lot by being assistant pastor for a while.

Many a church has fallen because of an assistant pastor who tried to take over the church. The fault lies not only in the church members who followed the assistant against their pastor, but also against the assistant, who willingly lead against the pastor. Most of the time, this evil has been done behind the pastor’s back.

I knew a church that tried to have three pastors, but they were wrong in the beginning. They tried to make the pastors equal, but that did not work. Also the "pastors" did not believe the same, therefore the more liberal pastor caused much trouble to the conservative pastor, while the "middle ground" pastor got tired and left. There must be a clear "chain of command" that cannot be broken for this to work. Of course, Baptists are famous for infighting, disagreements and being disagreeable.

I think it is important to understand that every man that is called of God to preach or declare the word of God doesn’t have to be a pastor, or missionary. In the early church, many God called men were not pastors, or missionaries, but they were very diligent to help in the church. It is also important to understand that every paid staff of the church doesn’t have to be called of God to preach, or be ordained, or be eligible to be ordained.

Those going two by two:

Matthew 10 – Jesus sent 12 together. See Matthew 11:1 – This passage reveals that evidently Jesus went with the disciples he sent out, watching over them, and giving them continual instruction as to what they were supposed to do.

Luke 10:1 – After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. He sent them two and two, that they might strengthen and encourage one another. If one fall, the other will help to raise him up. Luke 10:17 – when the 70 returned they spoke to Christ of what had happened. Reveals they went without the physical presence of Christ, but with the power of Christ. They had continual communication, although that communication was not physical, but spiritual.

Acts 13:2 – As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Acts 15:39-40 – Paul chose Silas and Barnabas chose Mark – both went on missionary journeys. It must have been the church thought it wise to send men together, not alone. I think this is what God wants us to do.

Revelation 11:3 - And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Deuteronomy 32:30 - How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 - Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. 8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

God put Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego together for a reason – they could strengthen each other in the truth.

Those alone are easily discouraged.

Elijah – Romans 11:2-4 – Elijah was greatly discouraged, even after his great victory against the prophets of Baal, because he believed he was alone. He had been alone for 3½ years. God gave him comfort by telling him he had reserved 7,000 to himself.

Numbers 11:14 – I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. This is the words of Moses. Verse 15 is God’s reply.

a. Numbers 11:16 – Moses had people to stand with him. And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.

b. Numbers 11:26 – But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.

Two and two. There was much wisdom in sending them in this manner. It was done, doubtless, that they might aid one another by mutual counsel, and that they might sustain and comfort one another in their persecutions and trials. Our Lord in this showed the propriety of having a religious friend, who would be a confidant and help. Every Christian, and especially every Christian minister, needs such a friend, and should seek some one to whom he can un-bosom himself, and with whom he can mingle his feelings and prayers.

Ecclesiastes 4:11 – Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

Who paid Phillip, took care of his family (if he had a family) during all his travels? I do not know how these men were paid, or if they were paid. I do know I Timothy 5:17 states that those who labour in the word and doctrine be counted worthy of double honor (double pay). I don’t know how much they were paid.

I know for a while the Jerusalem church took care of the physical needs of many of their membership – Acts 4:32-37, but it seems this practice was soon disregarded, probably of abuses, some of which are recognized in Acts 5:1-11. According to Malachi 3:10 Israel was the storehouse, just as the church is the storehouse today. Also note Luke 12:24 - Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? If we, as God’s people, will simply do as God directs, he will supply all our needs, and many of our wants. Also consider Priscilla and Aquila – who took care of them? Where they paid by the church, by Paul, or did they take care of their own financial needs?

I don’t think there is an answer to how the finances were taken care of, but I know God took care of them. Most of the time, the Bible doesn’t record how finances were taken care of, but we are instructed over and over to trust God with all the things of this world. Many times, Jesus tells his disciples to put him first, and he will take care of all things physical, material and necessary to this life. We are instructed to not count our life dear to ourselves, but to look on heavenly things, considering those things more precious than anything else.

Acts 1:13 – Philip is in the upper room with all the disciples, praying for guidance.

Acts 6:5 – Philip is chosen as a "deacon".

Acts 8:5 – Philip preaches at Samaria.

Acts 8:26 – The Spirit of God moved Philip from Samaria to the desert to preach to the Ethiopian Eunuch.

Acts 8:40 – Philip goes to Azotus, preaching in all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.

It is amazing that God moved Philip from Jerusalem, northwest to Samaria, then south, past Jerusalem, to preach to the Eunuch, then west to the Mediterranean Sea, then north all the way to Caesarea.

Acts 21:8 – And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. As Paul was returned to Jerusalem from his 3^rd missionary journey, they came to Caesarea, where Philip lived in his own house. It is interesting that Philip is still called "one of the seven" even though he does not live in Jerusalem, or seem to be connected with the Jerusalem church.

It is interesting to note that the Bible never says anything about how Philip is paid for all his preaching, yet Acts 21:8 declares he has his own house! There is no Bible record of how Philip paid for his house. God will always take care of his children, providing exactly what they need, exactly when they need it. All we have to do is do what he says we should do, and he will take care of all the rest. What a promise, if we will only listen, and do what he says.