The Five-Fold Ministry Gifts –part 2
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith…” (Eph 4:11-13)
This world has been constantly changed for the better by those who rise above all odds and put their gifts and talents to full use. We celebrate innovative inventors, leaders, designers, entertainers… but more so we celebrate those who direct the eternal destinies of many through bold evangelism and steadfast pastoring and teaching. Having discussed the first two earlier, I will comment on these remaining three gifts in Ephesians 4:11-13, and also emphasize their purpose – evangelists, pastors and teachers.
Evangelists bring and proclaim the good news. We see Philip the evangelist doing exactly that in Samaria and with the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8; and indeed, all the early disciples who, on being driven out of Jerusalem, “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). When the office of Evangelist is mentioned by Paul, it carries the sense of one whose main work is to move from place to place proclaiming the gospel, and leaving the nurture of those who believe to other ministers – the pastors and teachers.
So, the pastors are charged with the leadership of and care for local congregations, leading them to be grounded in the Word and in faith, and growing in confidence in their life as disciples, and growing to also make more disciples for Jesus Christ. The word ‘pastor’ means ‘shepherd’, and hence carries the sense of caring for sheep – protecting them, feeding them, leading them. The pastor therefore ensures a balance of all ministry activities to build the believer to grow in worship, nurturing fellow believers, and reaching the world near them to make more disciples. Excelling in this and other ministries requires a thorough understanding of the subject and methods in a systematically astute fashion; and that is where the teacher comes in.
Teachers have the responsibility to deliver knowledge and understanding to believers and leaders to equip them with depth in both subject and methods. Whether they teach in a Bible or Theological college or simply in congregations or small groups, the teaching ministry is vital for the maintenance of standards and wholistic application of the resources available to the people of God. Paul’s great teachings as written in his letters remain great resources to us today; and so, teachers who also write systematically are of value to wider audiences than the immediate physical congregation.
Paul is clear about the purpose of all these gifts: the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry. Do you believe God has an assignment for you? Then pick up those tools He has given you and match into the arena of his work field. He will hold accountable those who have not performed their God-given tasks, yet they were equipped!
God bless you!