The Three Legged Stool

The Three-Legged Stool of Medical Ministry: Pastor, Physician, and Church

In the beautiful synergy of medical ministry, the relationship between the pastor and the physician represents a powerful team, but it is incomplete without the third and essential leg: the church. Together, these three components form the “three-legged stool” of medical ministry—a balanced structure that can support the mission of sharing health and the gospel effectively. Without all three legs firmly in place, the stool falls flat, and the potential for meaningful impact is lost.

The Pastor and Physician: A Synergistic Partnership

The partnership between the pastor and the physician represents the union of spiritual and practical ministry. Each has a unique role that complements the other:

• The Physician’s Role: The physician keeps the pastor practical. With their access to the community, physicians provide insights into the real-world needs of individuals and families. They help ensure that the work of the church is safe, legal, and impactful in tangible ways. The physician is also instrumental in connecting the church to the broader community, creating opportunities for service and outreach.
• The Pastor’s Role: The pastor keeps the physician focused on the gospel. Pastors bring spiritual depth and theological grounding to the work, ensuring that the ministry never loses sight of its ultimate purpose: introducing people to Jesus as their loving Savior. With their access to the church, pastors mobilize and direct the members, organizing them for effective service.

The Church: The Essential Third Leg

The church is the third and crucial leg of this ministry stool. It provides the workforce, the collective hands and feet needed to carry the mission forward. The pastor and physician may plan, guide, and lead, but without the active involvement of the church members, the ministry remains incomplete.

Unfortunately, many churches tend to view their pastors, physicians, or medical ministry teams as spectators view a favorite sports team: admiring their work from the sidelines without actively participating. This passive mindset must change if the full potential of medical ministry is to be realized.

Every member of the church is called to be a medical missionary. In sacrificial service, the culture of the church transforms from one of passive observation to active, personal ministry. It is through this active engagement that the character of members is shaped to reflect the lovely character of Jesus.

Awakening the Church to Its Mission

We are reminded in Testimonies for the Church, Volume 7:
“We have come to a time when every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work. The world is a lazar house filled with victims of both physical and spiritual disease. Everywhere people are perishing for lack of a knowledge of the truths that have been committed to us.”

This message is a wake-up call for the church to recognize its responsibility. The church is not merely a refuge for believers; it is a training ground for ministry and a launching pad for service. Members who have been blessed with the light of truth must share it with the world, becoming “light bearers” in their communities.

Health Reform: Preparing a People for the Lord

The combined work of medical ministry is not optional; it is integral to the closing work of the gospel. As stated in Counsels on Health:
“I was again shown that the health reform is one branch of the great work which is to fit a people for the coming of the Lord.”

Health reform and medical ministry are divinely appointed tools to prepare minds and bodies for God’s blessing. They not only open doors for the gospel but also prepare a people to meet the Lord. The pastor-physician-church team is uniquely equipped to lead this work, creating a movement that impacts both the church and the community.

Moving Church Members from the Pews to the Community

One of the primary functions of medical ministry is to mobilize church members, moving them from passive participants in the pews to active workers in the community. The church’s 1.2 million Seventh-day Adventist members in the United States alone represent a formidable workforce. Many of these members live health-conscious lifestyles that could serve as examples to their neighbors, demonstrating the practical benefits of following health principles inspired by God’s Word.

Imagine the impact if even a portion of these members were to share not only their knowledge of healthy living but also the love and hope found in Jesus. This united effort would transform communities, reduce suffering, and introduce countless people to the Savior. As members engage in sacrificial service, they themselves are transformed, becoming more like Jesus in character.

The Power of Sacrificial Service

In medical ministry, sacrificial service is not only about meeting physical needs; it is a means of building relationships and earning influence in the community. Through acts of love and kindness, trust is established, and hearts are opened to the gospel. This work is a reflection of Jesus’ own ministry, which combined healing and teaching to reveal the character of God.

As members of the church take up this work, they become conduits of grace, allowing God to use them to reach others. In turn, their own faith is deepened, and their characters are shaped by the same sacrificial love they share with others.

Conclusion: The Three-Legged Stool in Action

The three-legged stool of medical ministry—pastor, physician, and church—represents a balanced and effective approach to fulfilling the gospel commission. Each leg has a unique role, but all are interdependent. Without the active involvement of the church, the stool cannot stand. Without the pastor and physician working in harmony, the mission lacks direction and balance.

Let us take to heart the call of Isaiah 60:1: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” It is time for every member to engage in medical missionary work, uniting with pastors and physicians to bring healing and hope to a world in need. Together, as a three-legged stool, we can support the work of ministry and share the light of God’s love with all.

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