In the past, I have described an "armorbearer" as one who, in Old Testament days, was responsible for carrying his master's shield into battle. He had the awesome responsibility of seeing to the safety and success of his officer.

Today, we may not use the term armorbearer per se, but the servant-leader or servant-pastor relationship is just as needed and just as important as it was during the days of David and Saul.

It is the spirit of an armorbearer to offer himself to wait on others; to serve as Elijah did in order to eventually flow in the anointing that Elisha enjoyed.

There are several duties of an armorbearer; I have listed three below for your benefit and review. We will cover other important responsibilities of an armorbearer in future articles.

Duties of an Armorbearer

An armorbearer…

1. Must provide strength for his leader.
By his very presence, a true armorbearer will always display and produce an attitude of faith and peace.

If you are to be successful in service as an armorbearer to your pastor, he must sense the joy and victory that is an integral part of your lifestyle. That alone will minister to him. It is a great relief to the pastor to know that he does not have to carry his assistant physically, mentally and spiritually.

Many times I have seen pastors drained physically and emotionally because their associate was always in need of something. Your pastor has plenty of sheep to take care of; he doesn't need another. You should be assisting him, giving him much-needed rest in mind and body by demonstrating that your faith is strong and active.

2. Must have a deep-down sense of respect for his leader, and acceptance for, and tolerance of, his leader's personality and his way of doing things.
God made us all different. At least fifty percent of the time, your pastor's way of doing things will differ from yours. That difference should not be allowed to cause a problem for you or your spiritual leader.

Several years ago, I learned a secret that has helped me to flow in harmony with my pastor. I determined that if the end result of my pastor's plan is to build and extend the Kingdom of God and win souls for Jesus, then I am willing to flow with the plan. Our goal is the same, our methods different. But what does it really matter whose methods are used, as long as the goal is reached?

If you will adopt this attitude toward your pastor, there will be a knitting of hearts between the two of you. He will know that you are not there to argue with him or to challenge his decisions, but that you are there to work with him in achieving his God-given objectives.

3. Must instinctively understand his leader's thoughts.
I can hear what you are probably thinking right now: "My pastor and I just don't think alike." That's right; no two people do. And that is one of the problems which must be dealt with in being an armorbearer - or servant - to another.

Instead of complaining about your differences, begin to discover and confess your agreement: "In Jesus' name, I understand how my pastor thinks and I flow with him in the spirit of understanding."

Remember, the disciples were with Jesus for three long years and yet they did not begin to think as He thought until after He had died, been buried, and resurrected, ascended into heaven and sent the Holy Ghost.

Just as God's Spirit was eventually imparted to these men, after a period of time your pastor's spirit will come upon you, and you two will become like-minded.

Source: God's Armor Bearer by Terry Nance
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers