Dear Minister, build according to God’s template

To begin with, let me state that this write-up is beneficial to all Christians. However, it primarily addresses my fellow ministers of the gospel under whose oversight God has committed His children.

The call of God is an invitation to build alongside Christ and in line with His template to achieve what God had pre-determined and established in Heaven. He indeed said He would build His church. Everyone called to His vineyard is called to a building site.

Some of us might have the need or the opportunity to build physical structures, such as places of worship, but the primary goal of the calling is building people.

In Ephesians chapter 4, the apostle Paul was clear about the purpose of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. He said it is “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”

We are called primarily into the work of building the constituents of the body of Christ. Any other thing is secondary, and indeed inconsequential if it does aid the fulfilment of the primary assignment.

Every building you see, there is a modicum of intentionality. In building, the foundation, intentionality, accuracy, and design matter. God is the builder of all things, but every man builds. The building should be a mirror image of the building in heaven. God wants to look into His church and see that the church is following the measurements; the accurate dispositions and postures that He has.

How did we know that the tabernacle was accurate? When they were done, the glory of God came. How did we know that the temple was accurate? When they were done, the glory of God came. The appearance of His glory at the dedication of these buildings shows He was pleased. It was an endorsement from God, a sign that the building matched the template.

If the shape, form, or design is not accurate, God will not come. The design must be according to God’s will. We don’t draw our design from the world but from God. The emphasis, the things we teach, and the things we do must be such that it presupposes that the will of God will be done. We must run with designs that are according to God’s template. In the grand design of things, we all are the building of the Lord.

The church can be seen from these perspectives: global, territorial, eternal, and assembly. We view the church through the lenses of Christ, not through the lenses of any man, no matter how highly placed.

Let’s see three examples of when men built according to templates God provided.

Noah and the Ark: A pattern of obedience and precision

The first significant instance of building according to God’s template is found in Genesis 6. The world had become corrupt, and God determined to cleanse the earth through a flood. However, He gave Noah a divine assignment: to build an ark that would preserve his family and the animals from destruction.

God did not leave Noah to build as he pleased. He provided specific dimensions: 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high (Genesis 6:15). The template was detailed, including the type of materials that must be used. There is no evidence Noah had previous experience constructing such a vessel, yet he obeyed every instruction without alteration.

The lesson for ministers today is clear: obedience to divine instruction is paramount. Noah’s ark was not just any ship; it was God’s provision for salvation. In the same way, the church is God’s ordained means of saving souls. If ministers build according to human wisdom rather than God’s blueprint, their efforts will not withstand the storms of judgment (Matthew 7:24-27).

The Tabernacle: A sanctuary built on divine specification

In Exodus 25-40, God instructed Moses to construct the Tabernacle, a portable dwelling place for His presence. Again, God provided specific dimensions and materials. The repeated phrase “See that you make them after the pattern which was shown to you on the mountain” (Exodus 25:40) emphasises the importance of divine precision.

The Tabernacle was divided into three sections: the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. Every aspect of its design pointed to Christ and His redemptive work. The priesthood, the sacrifices, and the layout all reflected the way into God’s presence, which Jesus later fulfilled (Hebrews 9:11-12).

For today’s church leaders, the Tabernacle teaches that God is intentional about His dwelling place. Ministry is not a matter of personal preference or innovation; it must align with God’s revealed pattern. A church that prioritises entertainment over holiness or social trends over sound doctrine deviates from God’s template and risks losing His presence.

Solomon’s Temple: The Glory of God in a Consecrated Structure

After Israel settled in the Promised Land, God chose Solomon to build a permanent temple in Jerusalem. Like the Tabernacle, the temple was constructed according to divine specifications (1 Chronicles 28:11-12, 19). It was built with the finest materials and craftsmanship, signifying the excellence that should characterise God’s work.

When Solomon dedicated the temple, the glory of God filled the house (2 Chronicles 7:1-2). This demonstrated that God inhabits what is built according to His pattern. However, history also shows that when Israel abandoned God’s instructions, the temple was destroyed (2 Kings 25:8-9). This is a warning that no matter how grand a physical structure may be, without adherence to God’s word, it will not endure.

Church leaders today must ensure that their ministries are built on God’s principles, not personal ambition, worldly strategies, or human traditions. The presence of God is the ultimate mark of a church built according to divine specifications.

Wise master builder

Stemming from a deep understanding of his calling, Paul identifies himself as a “wise master builder” who laid the foundation of the church (1 Corinthians 3:10-11). What was this foundation? “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Paul’s ministry was characterised by a commitment to divine revelation. He did not build churches based on cultural preferences or philosophical trends; he built according to Christ’s commission (Matthew 28:19-20). He warned against building with “wood, hay, and straw” instead of “gold, silver, and precious stones” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). This signifies that work done in the flesh will not stand, but that which aligns with God’s pattern will endure eternally.

Jesus Christ: The Chief Cornerstone and Ultimate Template

Jesus is the ultimate template for Christian life and ministry. He is the chief cornerstone upon which the church is built (Ephesians 2:20). His life, teachings, and sacrificial death provide the model for all believers, especially leaders.

Before beginning His public ministry, which lasted about three years and six months, Jesus spent 30 years living in obedience to God’s will. That is a ratio of 10-to-1. He grew in wisdom and favour with God and men (Luke 2:52). This shows that preparation and divine timing are crucial in ministry. Many today are eager to launch into ministry without being conformed to Christ’s image. However, Jesus demonstrated that God’s process can not be bypassed.

When He began His ministry, He built according to divine instruction. He did nothing outside the Father’s will (John 5:19). He trained disciples, emphasising character, servanthood, and the power of the Holy Spirit. His ministry was marked by holiness, truth, and love—key ingredients for any work that seeks to represent God.

As ministers of the gospel, we are called to build according to God’s template. Divine precision, obedience, and alignment with God’s will are non-negotiable. Jesus Christ remains the ultimate template. He is the foundation, the chief cornerstone, and the model for ministry. If we follow His example—prioritising God’s presence, teaching sound doctrine, and leading with humility—we will build churches that withstand the test of time and glorify God.

Dear ministers, let’s commit to being a wise master builder, ensuring that our life’s work aligns with the divine blueprint so that when the fire of judgment comes, our work will remain.

.Reverend Austin Ukporhe is the senior pastor at Remnant Christian Network, Lagos. Raised in Sokoto, northern Nigeria, he was trained in peculiar firebrand evangelism and was ordained as a pastor in 2001. He has experienced countless and diverse workings of the faithfulness of God over two decades and has developed a passion to see God’s will for Nigeria become a reality. He can be reached at +2348060255604.