CHURCH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN THE WORLD THE TOCOISTS
Remembered on July 25, 1949,
By His Holiness Prophet Simão Gonçalves Toco
SPIRITUAL LEADER
TO THE CHURCH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN THE WORLD, THE TOCOISTAS.
SUBJECT: CIRCULAR PASTORAL LETTER No. 002/LE/0025.
Greetings in the name of the One who anointed, consecrated, and sent me for His mission in search of the lost sheep, because of the fresh grass and the enjoyment of this world. Matthew 15:24.
- Most Reverend Auxiliary Bishops;
- Honorable members of the body of the twenty-four Elders;
- Esteemed members of the Episcopate;
- Distinguished leaders of the Central Coordination of Men’s Ministry;
- Beloved Mothers of Women’s Ministry;
- Valiant youth of the Pastoral Youth Ministry;
Esteemed representatives of our Church in the Tocoista universe and all pastoral Directorates!
I come through this, to share with the Church and all the faithful, within the framework of the celebrations of the 51st Anniversary of the Pastor’s Day, some situations that have afflicted and still afflict the Pastoral ministry, and at the same time, take the opportunity to pass on teaching and clarification to everyone about the importance of the Pastor’s Day and the figure of the Pastor in the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the World, “The TOCOISTAS.”
The Divine Mandate of the Pastor
The existence of pastors for the care of the sheep was a determination of our Creator Himself, being Himself the PASTOR par excellence. We hear the Psalmist say: “The LORD is my shepherd: I shall not want.” Psalms 23:1.
It is He who promised to send pastors according to His own heart, to feed His sheep with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3:15.
The Bible is clear: the Pastor is not a human intuition, nor an earthly initiative, but rather an office, a work ordained by God.
Let us quickly understand the context of Jeremiah’s prophecy.
As we know, the chosen people faced several hardships during the reign of many kings of Israel. Idolatry, the decline of spirituality, the increase in injustice, and unprecedented immorality were the dominant picture when Jeremiah was called.
Jeremiah was called by God to call the chosen people to repentance, to see if they could escape His wrath.
He acted in the 7th century B.C., during the reign of the last kings of Judah. It was a tumultuous time in the history of Israel, marked by apostasy, idolatry, and moral and spiritual corruption among the chosen people.
In this chapter, Jeremiah presents a promise from God to raise spiritual leaders who would care for His people according to His heart.
These Pastors, according to God’s announcement through Jeremiah, would be different from the corrupt and selfish leaders who had failed to lead God’s people with integrity and fidelity.
God promised pastors who would feed His people with spiritual knowledge, guiding them on the path of truth and righteousness.
Dearest ones!
The Pastor received the mission to care for and protect the flock from false teachings, from attacks against the established and approved doctrine, and to feed them, according to God’s purpose, leading them to pure and refreshing waters, and moreover, to defend them against the beasts of the field.
This is the reason why the Psalmist brings the rod and the staff in Psalm 23:4.
Let’s continue, beloved!
The Role of the Pastor
The figure of the Pastor must command respect, who transmits peace and security to the sheep, one who is concerned with the spiritual health of his sheep, but who is also concerned with the social life of his flock.
As we celebrate another Pastors’ Day, it is important to talk a little about this figure called the Pastor, to better understand, even briefly, what this function or position represents.
In our Church, we have the habit of the pastor feeling carnal and the vate (prophet/seer) as the only spiritual entity that commands and directs the Pastor!
This form of guidance is wrong, failed, and outside of God’s guidance, which chose Pastors for His flock.
The Pastor is a spiritual Guide, someone equipped with spiritual discernment, which is why he was chosen and anointed with the eye and with the laying on of the hands of the Presbyters. 1 Timothy 4:14.
The Pastor must be adept at reading, at studying the word of God, at praying, at interceding, at giving thanks, at teaching, at defending the doctrine and the music of the Church.
The Pastor must have a minimum knowledge of how to manage people, manage assets, and manage and multiply the Church’s finances.
We heard the context in which the prophet Jeremiah acted, and what the reason was, and who had commissioned him!
Handing over the Church to multiple agents to impose an order that can only come from the Pastor is to kill the Church of Christ and manifest the carnality on the part of those who were called to the Pastoral position.
No organization should move forward under the command of several people or directorates.
The Command of the Church is one and unique, inseparable, and unshared. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
And one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-5.
Here, the problem also lies in the choice the church makes for those who will tomorrow begin to exercise this pastoral office.
Not understanding the term: Pastor according to God’s heart has caused tragedy to the church in this journey.
The term found in Jeremiah 3:15 implies that the person has divinely ordained and directed leadership from God.
These people called pastors are those who possess a heart aligned with love, compassion, and integrity.
I spoke a lot about the Pastor in this pastoral letter because there is a great lack of understanding about the position of “Pastor.”
Our Church suffers greatly from this lack of knowledge; where there is a Pastor, there cannot exist another superior authority other than the Pastor. The Elders are the Pastor’s support to help him make decisions and reflect on important matters in the life of the local church he leads.
But, at the end of the day, it will be the Pastor who will give an account of the ministry.
I speak of the Pastor, that Elder who was consecrated to exercise the Pastoral ministry, because he, I repeat, must give an account when the Chief Shepherd appears on that great Day, the Day of the LORD, and not to men. 1 Peter 5:1-4.
Therefore, this person called Pastor must take care of himself both in the teaching and preaching of the word of God and in his own life, a life that must be transparent.
The Authority of the Pastor vs. The Role of the Vates
These ignored texts, wanting to take the Church back to primitive times, have cost it high losses.
At the beginning of the Church, it did not have the structural or personnel organization, much less did pastors exist as a rule, which has been gained throughout our trajectory.
For this reason, we worked according to the power and strength of the Holy Spirit, using what the Church had, until the times of the promise!
When we speak of Pastors, we speak of all who exercise the pastorate. Bishops are also Pastors, just as we know that Christ Himself, besides being a Shepherd, according to John 10:1, He is an Apostle, an apostle for being sent by God, as He Himself always maintained in His messages: John 7:16, we quote: “Jesus answered them and said, ‘My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.’” End of quote.
We understand that Jesus is an Apostle; now we need to know that Jesus is also the first Bishop of the Church: 1 Peter 2:25, we quote: “For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer [Bishop] of your souls.” End of quote.
In the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the World, “The TOCOISTAS,” the number one (1) Pastor is the LEADER, the “Spiritual Leader,” then come the others according to level and hierarchy.
This is to make it understood that the Bishop has the task of feeding Christ’s sheep, and it is not a position of charm, but of selfless service and great Responsibility, which is why he needs a lot of preparation, in reading and studying the word of God.
Now that 51 years have been completed, there are no longer any reasons for the Pastor not to know his true role, especially with so many training sessions we have administered, improving the performance of this figure, as a delegate of Christ for the fulfillment of the order given by the Master: “Go.”
Someone will say, Ah, but then the Church was always led by the Holy Spirit through the vates, and now the vates have ended?
Listen to me in what I am going to tell you: I will be very clear, short, and concise, due to the responsibility I have before Christ, the Lord and Owner of the work!
As I referred to with the text of the Prophet Jeremiah, contexts dictate God’s rules over men and for the good of His work.
Did the beloved know that when the Holy Spirit descended upon us on July 25, 1949, there were no names of prophets like those who came to exist and who exist until today?
The Holy Spirit operated in the bodies of the people that day, in the same way it operated in Jerusalem: the virtue of the Holy Spirit involved people, and they began to tremble and speak in tongues, Acts 2:1-4.
That is exactly what happened in 1949; there were no names of prophets or Angels, but the men attacked by the Holy Spirit prophesied and performed wonders!
The appearance of names of ancient prophets and Angels was later, for various reasons, as I have said on many occasions from the Azores until today, and I quote again: “When the Holy Spirit descended upon us, it was only the Holy Spirit. But, unfortunately, the Good Spirit was confused with the evil spirit.”
Therefore, the vates do not end, but they exercise the function of vaticination (vaticínio—prophesying), and vaticination is nothing more than warning the Church or faith community about things that are about to happen and preparing the people for eventual dangers or imminent happiness.
The Ecclesial order is a single, vertical order, and it is not as it has been done until now, where the Spiritual Leader is, there is no vates advising the people or even the Leader.
This is called abuse of trust, which caused great damage since 1953 onwards. Because first are the apostles and then the prophets, 1 Corinthians 12:28, we quote: “And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.” End of quote.
Then you will say, but wasn’t he also a vate? Yes, you asked well! I will take an example from here on earth: “When your classmate, tomorrow becomes the President of the Republic, will you always have him as your colleague or will you give him the respect due to the position he now occupies?” Thus, after being elevated to the position of Leadership as the Vessel of Christ Mayamona, he is the Spiritual Leader and is vested with powers in Heaven and on earth, and this power was not given to him by measure: John 3:34, we quote: “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.” End of quote.
And when Jesus the Nazarene sought Paul on the road to Damascus to spread His word in him and raise His Church beyond the Jewish borders, He did it only once, and after Paul, the organization of the Church went through councils and various other types of meetings.
What was, is what is, and is what will be, and is happening, and is what was done. If you want to believe, believe. After the current Leader, if the time delays a little longer, you will not wait for someone else to be sent to you, but rather work around everything that is being organized today in the Church’s governing documents. But, I’m in this shell with you for a long time for the good of this work. Philippians 1:22-25.
Stop playing with the work of God. Pastors must believe that the Church was left to the apostles, who are the Pastors of today.
The Spirit that dwells in people with this gift, attention, “with this gift,” was sent to help, to comfort, and not to restrict the hierarchy of the Church, especially when the Church is already structured and has an established government. The connection between the Pastor and the people who have the gift of prophecy or healing from God must be one of respect and with the limits already cited above.
Our church has always entered into conflict and even unnecessary wars, sometimes for not know how to separate between a gift of prophecy or healing and the gift of leading a community and/or a Church.
The gift of healing is not the gift of Leading or of being the administrator of God’s work.
These gifts are very well specified and cannot be confused; even families should not want to have their own prophet!
This is idolatry. The Holy Spirit must obey what the Church has already outlined and never the opposite.
The Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the world is organized and no longer needs improvised teachings, even if they are very well smeared with gold. The clergy of the Church have been trained to administer, to judge any process, and no longer wait for strange or extra forces to come and guide. Know that that time is over. It is over, I repeat, it is over!
It has suitable Elders (men and women) who, over time, have been well trained. It has capable pastors, capable bishops, capable reverends, capable deaconesses and deacons, and evangelists, and capable young people that I have trained. End of playing around in the work of Christ. Whoever has not learned a profession should seek another way to live because this work costs us a lot of blood. It’s over, it’s over, this time of playing around with the Church. Whoever wants to be obedient stays; whoever wants to do what he understands, please find another path. I do not force anyone to be a Tocoista.
The Church’s Responsibility to the Pastors
What about the Church’s responsibility to the Pastors? This question makes us go back a little! Our Church went through many phases of its affirmation.
The category of pastor only emerged in 1974, twenty-five years after its Remembrance, and during the absence of these, the Church did function, ensured by people with knowledge of the word of God and assisted by the Holy Spirit of God, sent at Jesus’ request, and requested by “Me” in 1949 in Léopoldville. John 14:16-17.
Since there are Pastors today, the Church does have responsibilities towards its pastors or towards its Pastor, as the scriptures also say: “And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages.” Luke 10:7.
The words we hear are from Christ, recorded by Dr. Luke the evangelist.
Paul, the vessel of Jesus Christ, came to clarify in many of his Epistles. To the Hebrews, he said: “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
To the Corinthians, he said: This is my defense to those who would examine me.
Do we not have the right to eat and drink? Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
Further on, he also says: “Whoever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?” And then he questions the people who thought that talking about these things is talking carnally and says: “Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also?” To Timothy, he says, and we quote this epistle: “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine;
For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages.’” 1 Timothy 5:17-18.
So, as we are in a broad process of learning, reforms, and updates, we must continue to make our Churches or parishes, ecclesiastical provinces, and the church in the universe, right for this responsibility.
The Pastor must help and teach his people to work, and in addition to praying for spiritual progress, the Pastor must also pray and always for the material prosperity of his people, but without low tricks.
The Church will only reach the goal written in Matthew 24:14, if the Church, that is, the Believers and other good people, help to create the conditions for the support of these Pastors who are sent.
Thus, the distribution of Pastors must comply with the existing rules: No parish should have more than two pastors in the same pulpit.
At most, one lead Pastor and one auxiliary. This will be a new reorganization of our organizational chart if we really want to leverage the evangelization process. Every consecrated Pastor must have a pulpit, that is, a Church to shepherd, or he must start a new Church through Evangelism and never wait for conditions to be created for him, as is seen today!
The marriage between the Church and its Pastor is of extreme importance. The Pastor must show love and compassion for the sheep, and the sheep must likewise love and respect their Pastor and take care of the social duties of the Pastor, who is entirely at the service of the Church.
Where there is land, the community parish or Class, or other must work for their Pastor’s farm, in addition to the Church’s own farm.
Whoever despises their pastor or creates groups to harm the Pastor’s work; This one does not fight against this Pastor, but rather fights with the one who created this ministry and deprives himself not only of blessings but also of the very Kingdom of God, which is not for the rebellious and disobedient. Matthew 10:40-42.
This type of member who promotes conflicts against the Pastor must be marked, heard, and if not repentant, must be removed, because he did not come to magnify the work of God, but to fulfill his carnal plan. Romans 16:17-18.
The Pastor’s Wife
Dearest Pastors and the Church in general!
Celebrate this date with deep reflection. Everyone must look back and see what they have done in the Lord’s work, because whoever buries the talent he received, the Owner of the Work will certainly settle accounts with him.
The women or wives of the Pastors must be the true helpers of their husbands’ pastoral office.
In this case, the Church must create meetings, conferences, and colloquia for the training of the pastors’ wives, so that they learn and understand the importance of this office for their husbands, for the children today, and in future life.
Many women or wives of pastors have been, throughout the history of the Pastoral ministry, the real barriers to their husbands in the efficient execution of pastoral work.
I understand that many, due to a lack of preparation, commit these errors and cause the shipwreck of their husbands’ work.
The pastor’s wife must be taught to know what company or friends she should keep and how to proceed before Church members, especially those of the opposite sex or men. It would be good for the pastor’s wife to dedicate herself alongside her husband in the ministry, helping him organize meetings with women, with youth, etc., avoiding misunderstandings that only harm the work of God.
When she has more means than her husband, who is Pastor, she must read and learn Proverbs 31:10-31.
This text must be read very well and interpreted without rushing, as they like today, everything is rushing. Read this text always in your meetings as women, and in conferences and colloquia, all for the good of the Church and the Kingdom of peace that must begin at home.
Therefore, men, make choices according to who you are and do not do it only by physical appearance, so that you do not suffer shipwreck.
May you all fight the good fight of faith, starting in your own families, and then go out and teach the Church of Christ.
I cannot finish without thanking all those who, throughout all these years, have made the Church grow through the propagation of the Gospel and through good deeds and attitudes that exalt the name of God the FATHER.
Always remember that your work will have a reward.
Starting next year, the Pastor’s Day will be celebrated on October 28th, rectifying the current date.
Dearest Auxiliary Bishops, Reverend Pastors, Pastors, Deaconesses and Evangelists, Elders (men and women), vates and vaticinadoras (female seers), Christian men and women, girls and boys, I wish you all a happy Pastor’s Day and may the Peace of God the Father, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts, now and forever.
This Circular Pastoral Letter must be read in an intelligible, audible voice throughout the entire Church, in meetings, and when it is to be read, all other interventions and/or preaching must only align with this Circular Pastoral Letter. Therefore, this Circular Pastoral Letter is to be made public to all the faithful.
FOR A UNITED, UNIQUE, AND INDIVISIBLE CHURCH:
ORDER, FIRMNESS, AND FAITH.
Spiritual Leader of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the World, the TOCOISTAS,
in Lisbon, Portugal, November 21st, 0025;
Year of the consolidation of the gifts received, and in the storm, God will provide – Millennium of Christ
FOR THE GOOD OF THE CHURCH
THE SPIRITUAL LEADER
HOLINESS BISHOP DOM MAYAMONA
