Vision Track 3.2

Five Fold Ministry

(Apostles / Prophets / Evangelists / Shepherds / Teachers)

God gives five ministries to the church as gifts: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, & Teachers.

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT

When considering those who lead and serve in the Church, people may be familiar with titles such as priest, vicar, reverend, bishop, minister, and pastor. However, many of the titles used cannot be found in the Bible, or have been used in a way that is inconsistent with their original meaning. At the same time, certain biblical ministries seem absent or are ignored.

APOSTLES

WHAT IS AN APOSTLE?

Unlike titles such as priest or prophet, which are found in the Old Testament, apostle first appears in our Bibles in the New Testament and was introduced by Jesus Himself.

“At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names:” - Luke 6:13 NLT

The English word apostle comes from the Greek word apostolos, which literally means “one who is sent or dispatched.” By New Testament times, however, apostolos had come to be used by Greeks and Romans to refer to specially commissioned leaders who were sent out to advance their empires. These apostles were typically proven generals or admirals, and were given power and authority to pioneer into new territories, transforming the culture as they went.

Jesus deliberately took this familiar word, with everything it already conveyed of authority, commissioning, and kingdom advancement, and gave it new application and significance.

APOSTLES IN THE BIBLE

The word apostle(s) is used 81 times in the New Testament, in each case referring to an individual(s) chosen, authorized, and sent out to accomplish a specific mission. We can, however, identify at least three “categories” of apostle referred to in Scripture:

“Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,” Hebrews 3:1 ESV

Secondly, the twelve apostles in the Gospels. As mentioned earlier, it is from Jesus that we first hear the word apostle in the New Testament, as the designation He gave to those He specifically selected to be with Him and to be sent out by Him (Mark 3:14). The Twelve (Judas Iscariot having been replaced by Matthias: see Acts 1:26) are referred to in Revelation 21:14 as the “twelve apostles of the Lamb.” They were clearly unique, and their role as witnesses of the events in Christ’s earthly ministry was of particular significance (Acts 1:21-22).

Thirdly, the apostles given by the risen Christ. Having chosen and sent out the twelve apostles, the Lord subsequently gave other apostles to His Church after His resurrection and ascension. These are obviously the apostles referred to in Ephesians 4.

Of course, the most prominent New Testament apostle, Paul, comes within this category. Other apostles mentioned in the New Testament are James, the brother of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:7, Galatians 1:19), Barnabas (Acts 14:14), Apollos (1 Corinthians 4:6, 9), Silvanus/Silas (in the “we” of 1 Thessalonians 2:6), and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25).

Paul’s condemnation in 2 Corinthians 11:13 of “false apostles” shows that the Church must have accepted that there were many apostles beyond the Twelve, otherwise no one would have been able to pretend to be one. Similarly, in Revelation 2:2, the church in Ephesus is commended for testing those who claimed to be apostles but were not. If there could be no legitimate claim to apostleship beyond the Twelve, what testing would there need to be?

This “category” of apostles continues to the present day. The Scriptures are clear that apostles (along with prophets and the more traditionally accepted ministries of evangelists, pastors and teachers) are to function “…until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13 NLT). Unless we believe this is an accurate description of the state of the Church today, we need apostles now.

APOSTLES TODAY

During the first 100 years of the Church (known as the Apostolic Period), apostles were widely recognized and received, and functioned effectively. However, the increasing institutionalization of the Church contributed both to it drifting farther and farther away from true apostolic ministry, and to the distortion of the very concept of the apostle. It ceased to be a term that could be applied to ordinary men with a practical and necessary ministry in the Church, but instead became more of a mystical term.

Therefore, from the first century until relatively recently, though God still graced certain individuals with clear apostolic gifting (for example Martin Luther, John Wesley, William Booth, and Watchman Nee), few were actually called apostles in their day. Thankfully, we are living at a time when the reality of and necessity for apostolic ministry is increasingly being recognized and can, therefore, have its full, intended effect in the Church. The growing acceptability of apostles has led to some churches just attaching themselves to an “apostolic network,” or having a “token apostle” who has little involvement in the local church, or to whom the church pays mere “lip-service.” In situations like this, the absence of real apostolic involvement often proves to be the root of many of the problems they face. If we are to take the Scriptures seriously, we must realize that we simply will not be unified, or brought to maturity, without true, functioning apostles.

THE GIFTING AND CALLING OF APOSTLES

Unlike the other Ephesians 4 ministries, the function of the apostle is not obvious from the name. Prophets become recognized as such by their prophesying, evangelists by evangelizing, teachers by teaching, and pastors by shepherding. There isn’t an equivalent verb for the apostle. How, then, can we recognize true apostles, and what do they do?

APOSTLES ARE PIONEERS

“One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.’ So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.” Acts 13:2-3 NLT

When considering apostles, we should keep in mind the simple core meaning of the word: an apostle is “one who is sent”—sent by God to pioneer new territory for His Kingdom. Apostles are initiators, often sparking off new projects, breaking ground with the gospel, and planting new churches. One of the characteristics of an apostle is the ability to function to a significant degree in all of the other Ephesians 4 gifts, i.e. prophecy, evangelism, teaching, and shepherding. This is essential, particularly in the formative stages of a newly-planted church, when other ministries are not yet in place and the apostle must supply what is lacking.

The Western church is primarily built on pastoral ministry, and can, therefore, tend to become inward-looking. However, churches built on an apostolic foundation, with the regular inspiration of the apostle’s involvement, will usually be far more missional by nature. As networks of churches grow, there is a danger that the apostle can merely become (or be seen as) the head of an institution. Although apostles play a very important role in bringing care and maintenance to the people of God, they should remain passionately given to expansion and always ready to be “sent.”

APOSTLES LAY FOUNDATIONS

“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.”  Ephesians 2:19-20 NLT

Nothing determines what can be built more than the foundation. To build well requires not just a plan or blueprint, but also an architect’s visionary skill and experience. The spiritual landscape today is littered with churches that have been started by individuals who have “Enthusiasm without knowledge…” (Proverbs 19:2 NLT), passion but not sight. Sadly, the result is invariably frustration and injury both for them and for those in their care.

Apostles bring the necessary insight, skill, and experience to the building of the Church, in accordance with the blueprint we have in Scripture. Apostles and prophets are often together known as foundation ministries, because their visionary interaction and impartation lays the foundation for local church life (see Ephesians 3:2-5).

In Acts 9, we read of Paul’s dramatic encounter with Jesus and his consequent conversion. Blinded by a heavenly light, he was made to realize that, in persecuting the Church, he was persecuting Jesus. His natural sight was restored three days later, but more importantly he went on to receive extraordinary vision and insight into the heavenly realms and God’s intention for the Church. A defining moment for Peter in his apostolic calling was his God-given revelation of Jesus as “…the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” and it was on the basis of this revelation that Jesus said His Church would be built (Matthew 16:13-18). Apostles carry a major significance in church-planting and leadership because of their ability to understand Church in the context of the overall plan of God, and to see what the Church should look like if it is to manifest Christ. They can see the overall “shape” of a church situation and have the God-given authority, wisdom, and gifting to do what is necessary to help it.

APOSTLES ARE BUILDERS

“Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful.” 1 Corinthians 3:10 NLT

Although we have used the term architect to highlight an aspect of the apostle’s role, it could misrepresent the true nature of his labor. When Paul describes himself as “an expert builder,” it conveys the “hands-on,” rather than merely advisory, nature of his apostolic work.

Of course, with all these building analogies, we must not forget that the apostle is working with “living stones”— people (1 Peter 2:5). Subsequently, the masterful dynamic of true apostolic gifting is often evidenced most in the ability to envision, inspire, and win the hearts of others.

Also, God’s equipping of apostles is not limited to the other Ephesians 4 giftings already mentioned. It may range from moving in signs and wonders to discerning and dealing with issues that threaten to hinder the building work. Apostolic intervention might bring to light a sin issue that has festered under the surface and jeopardized a church. Sometimes apostolic involvement will be a forerunner to a significant move of the Holy Spirit, encouraging the people and bringing a fresh dynamic to the work. In these and many other ways, apostles tend to be agents of change and development for churches.

APOSTLES ARE TEAM LEADERS

“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.” Philippians 1:3-5 NLT

The apostolic heart is to work in team, and apostles are able to draw leaders and other gifted ministries into effective working relationships. As noted above, apostles tend to be able to move in all of the other Ephesians 4 gifts, and this allows them to identify, connect with, encourage, and inspire these ministries. Apostles will typically work alongside such men and women, and will send them at times to work with other individuals and churches.

Rather than being hierarchical, these partnerships are built on mutual love and respect, and the recognition of the joining of God. For example, though Paul clearly carried authority within his apostolic sphere, he spoke of those joined to him as “fellow helper,” “fellow prisoners” (literally, “co-fighters”) and “fellow workers” (Colossians 4:7-11). He was clearly committed to them, expressing love, concern, and appreciation for them. In return, they responded in loving and enthusiastic service, submitting their gifts and their very lives for the accomplishing of the apostolic mission. Far from being crushed or limited when working with apostles, many leaders find that they become clearer as to their identity and purpose, and experience a wonderful expansion and fruitfulness in their ministry.

Though called to work closely with others, an apostle must be completely given to God’s agenda. There is no room for personal ambition or politics in the apostle or his team. He must be free from attempts to influence and control him through, for example, flattery or criticism. He must be secure in his calling and able to exercise discernment, grace, and patience as he interacts with many different gifts and personalities. If apostles function in this way, they will become secure hubs from which the other ministries will draw great strength, encouragement, and fulfillment. In turn, the entire Church will grow in its revelation of unity and its development to maturity.

APOSTLES REPRESENT GOD’S PARENTAL HEART

“For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. So I urge you to imitate me.” 1 Corinthians 4:15-16 NLT

It is not just about gifting. Many passages of Scripture, including the one above and the following ones, give us wonderful insights into the heart of the apostolic ministry:

No matter how gifted a person might be, we must keep in mind the heart the apostle should have if he is to care effectively for a church—the heart of a loving father and nursing mother. Apostolic ministry has been misrepresented and given a bad name by those who have behaved like company CEOs, or operated in an unapproachable, authoritarian style. This is the opposite of the humble, servant-hearted expression we see in Scripture—and could indicate that the men in question are false apostles! True apostles recognize that they are servants of Christ and that they must prove faithful with that which has been entrusted to them (see 1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

“An apostle does not just set up an empire of churches over which he reigns and from which he receives glory and honor. Instead the charge of all the local churches that God gives him becomes a gut-wrenching, intensely emotional, heartfelt, passionate ministry of life to precious souls! It is an awesome responsibility. It is not an arms-length transaction. The apostle must feel the very heartbeat, the pulse of the church, and be in touch with the lives of its people.” — Dick Iverson

APOSTLES GOVERN AND BRING ACCOUNTABILITY

While apostolic ministry is expressed at times in tender encouragement and advice, that only reflects one aspect of the parental role. It is also evident from Scripture that apostles bring government and direction into the affairs of the local church. As well as exhorting and comforting the elders and churches, Paul was not averse, when necessary, to instructing, admonishing, and commanding:

“Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches.” 1 Corinthians 7:17 NLT (see also 2 Thessalonians 3:10)

The government that apostles are to bring to churches goes, of course, to the very foundation. Ideally, apostles should be involved in the birthing of churches and in the initial establishing of leaders within them. One of the growing, biblical trends in the Church these days is the shift from a one-man leadership model to that of a plurality of elders. However, what is often ignored is the fact that biblical eldership was built on biblical apostles. Local elders were not the product of a democratic church vote, but were appointed by or at the direction of apostles:

“Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” Acts 14:23 NLT

“I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.” Titus 1:5 NLT

Apostolic involvement did not end there. It is clear in the New Testament that the apostles continued to bring instruction, direction, warning, and correction to the elders and deacons of the churches, not just through their written communications, but by taking every opportunity to meet with them:

“Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.” Acts 16:4 NLT

Though all Ephesians 4 ministries are God’s gifts to the entire Church (see 1 Corinthians 3:21-22), and in a very real sense are the blessing of God to all who will receive them, this does not mean that every apostle can or should seek to carry government into every church. The apostle Paul recognized this:

“Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle.” 1 Corinthians 9:2 NLT

WORKING WITH APOSTLES

The governmental authority that apostles bring is critical for a church’s protection and development. However, it only works in the context of voluntary submission and loving relationship—which is the only context in which a true apostle would want to work. The following scripture shows us how apostolic authority should be received in the local church:

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 NLT

Sadly, in this as in many areas of life, past experience has left many damaged or disillusioned, either by harsh and excessive authority, neglect, or the facade of “nominal” apostleship. However, we must not let these wrongs rob us of authentic apostolic leadership, which God has designed to be an indispensable blessing to the Church. When someone has truly received revelation of this highly significant and foundational ministry, it becomes far more than a mere style of church leadership. It becomes one of the most critical issues to be considered in joining a local church.

“Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder...”  1 Corinthians 3:10a NLT

LORD, RAISE UP APOSTLES

Having understood just how important apostles are for the unity and maturity of the Church, the obvious question many have is, “How does someone become an apostle?”

As with all Ephesians 4 ministries, it is the risen Christ who gives apostles to the Church. Only God can call and equip someone for apostleship. They appear to be trained, to a large extent, in the challenges of life, often undergoing many hardships and disappointments as they are shaped to function in the sufficiency of God’s grace. Far from the glamorous notion some might have of apostleship, theirs is not an easy road, as Paul plainly points out:

“Instead, I sometimes think God has put us apostles on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world—to people and angels alike.” 1 Corinthians 4:9 NLT

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT

PROPHETS

WHAT ARE PROPHETS?

“Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.” 2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word translated “prophet” is navi. Its root meaning was “openness,” but generally it meant “spokesperson.” In Deuteronomy 18:18 NLT, we have perhaps the fullest description of God’s intention for its use when He says to Moses, in reference to the coming of Christ, “I will raise up a prophet [navi] like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him.” Thus, the navi was thought of as the “mouth” of God. In the New Testament, the Greek word prophetes carries the same sense, basically meaning one who makes declarations, but more particularly referring to those who interpreted and conveyed divine communications.

Prophets are individuals whom God specifically calls to communicate His heart and mind. They see through the natural, visible realm and into the spiritual and eternal. In a word, they are people of vision. In fact, in the Old Testament, prophets were sometimes referred to as seers.

PROPHETS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Prophetic ministry is evident throughout the Old Testament, and played an essential role in God’s relationship with His people, individually and corporately. However, prophecy was not just for the people of Israel, and was often directed to Gentile nations and individuals.

God called prophets (male and female) from a variety of backgrounds. Some were highly educated, like Moses, Daniel, and Isaiah, and some were priests, such as Ezekiel and Jeremiah, while others came from a rural background, like Amos (a herdsman) and Elisha (a plowman). Abraham, called “the father of the faithful,” was the first person referred to as a prophet in Scripture (Genesis 20:7). In Hebrews 11:10, we are told that “looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.” He began his journey with prophetic vision, and went on to receive promises from God of which we are both a fulfillment and the inheritors. Moses, the great shepherd of God’s people, was also tremendously significant as a prophet, “Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later.” Hebrews 3:5 NLT.

All of the judges who led Israel were prophetic, and some were specifically identified as prophets, including Deborah, Eli, and Samuel. With the establishing of Israel’s monarchy, the role of prophets did not diminish but in fact increased. As kings both good and bad came and went, it was the prophetic ministry of men like Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, and Elisha that primarily directed them when their leadership was righteous, and rebuked and judged them when it was not.

Whether plainly setting out the next step to be taken, as the minor prophets Joel and Haggai did, or prophetically painting a magnificent visionary landscape, as Isaiah and Jeremiah did, God consistently used prophets to reveal His unfolding purpose. Furthermore, we have wonderful and at times baffling glimpses of future events through the prophecies of men like Daniel and Ezekiel.

Prophets were frequently given glimpses into the wider intention of God for His people. Moses at one point spontaneously expressed God’s heart by saying, “…I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them all!” Numbers 11:29 NLT. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit would come through the ministry of Jesus.

THE ULTIMATE PROPHET — JESUS CHRIST

“Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command…” Hebrews 1:1-3a NLT

The New Testament opens with John the Baptist, the prophetic preparer of the way for the ultimate prophet, Jesus—the Word made flesh and the exact imprint of His nature. However, far from closing the prophetic chapter, He came to usher in a whole new prophetic era. He went to be with the Father so that the Holy Spirit might be sent to equip God’s people prophetically. In Acts 2, when Peter explains the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, he emphasizes that the consequent prophetic gifting is the fulfillment of the promise spoken through Joel:

“‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy.’” Acts 2:17-18 NLT (see also Joel 2:28-32)

PROPHETS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Though people tend to think of prophets in the context of the Old Testament, they were clearly prominent in the early Church. Acts 13:1 tells us that there were prophets in the church in Antioch. In Acts 15:32, Judas and Silas are identified as prophets, and in Acts 11:26-28, Agabus (who appears again in Acts 21:10-11) is named as being among “prophets” who came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. In Acts 21:9, we read that Philip had “…four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.” Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 3 and 4, affirms the existence of the office of prophet. In 1 Corinthians 11 and 14, he gives instructions as to how prophets are to function. Of course, in the book of Revelation, John shows himself to be a worthy New Testament successor to his prophetic forefathers Daniel and Ezekiel, with the visions he saw and conveyed.

PROPHETS TODAY

While accepting the existence of prophets in New Testament times, some are reluctant to acknowledge modern day prophets. As we were reminded in the last session, the risen and ascended Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers until the Church comes to unity, maturity, and the full measure of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-14). Since that process is still going on, prophets, along with all the other Ephesians 4 ministries, are still with us.

PROPHETIC TRAITS

Consistent with the biblical pattern, it appears that God still calls prophets from a wide variety of backgrounds, life experiences, and personality types. However, there are certain things that many prophetically gifted people often seem to have in common, for example:

PAST EXPERIENCE — They have usually known extreme highs and lows, often resulting from unusual life events. Extraordinary trials, such as physical and emotional suffering, tragic loss, rejection, and disappointment, might have led to seasons of disillusionment, but also resulted in intimate and empowering encounters with God. He equips them through all of this to communicate to others the height and depth of His heart.

PERCEPTION — Of course, they see things differently to most people, not being as prone to distraction or influence by “natural” or “logical” thoughts. However, prophetic people can tend to think that what they perceive must be obvious to everyone, as it is so clear to them (2 Kings 6:15-17). At times, they see the big picture but are unable to know how that should work out practically. Alternatively, sometimes they focus in on one issue without seeing how that fits in a broader context:

Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless… Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” 1 Corinthians 13:9-10, 12 NLT

PASSION — Although prophets do not see everything, they tend to be very passionate about what they do see. They are driven to convey that which God has shown them, unashamedly bringing the same message again and again if necessary. In their uncompromising commitment, their very lives often become an embodiment of the things that God reveals to them.

Prophets do not always find it easy to relate to others, even in the Church. Their experiences, insight, and zeal set them apart. They can feel—and communicate—frustration when people do not see and respond to what they are seeing. Seemingly impractical and awkward to work with at times, many prophets have been misunderstood and poorly handled by the Church. They can, therefore, be tempted to choose a path of separation and isolation. However, this is not only a great loss to the Church, but a grave mistake for them. They desperately need to be in fellowship to receive the care and leadership they require for their development, and in order to persevere in the development of their gift.

THE ROLE OF THE PROPHET

“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.” Ephesians 2:19-20 NLT

Here, Paul makes clear that prophets work alongside apostles as foundational ministries in the building of the Church. While not sharing the governmental role of apostles, prophets are pivotal in providing direction, strategic insight, and motivation to the local churches and the apostolic work. The voice of God spoken through the prophet is essential in shaping all that is built.

This, of course, requires that prophets are themselves joined to and working with apostles. Only in this context will they find the balance and perspective they need, and be able to use their gifting to the fullest and most fruitful extent. Prophets need more than mere tolerance, or even respect. They need the loving care, understanding, correction, and guidance that the other Ephesians 4 ministries can bring. In the context of such relationships, they will know great blessing and protection from many dangers.

As well as their foundational role, they also play a vital role in equipping the saints for the building up of the Body of Christ. It is perhaps significant that in Ephesians 4:11 (and indeed 1 Corinthians 12:28) prophets are listed next after apostles. When considering how God’s people are to be prepared “for the work of ministry,” we must remember that God desires a prophetic people who see and hear Him, are attuned to His thoughts and feelings, and who act accordingly. It is principally through the provoking, inspiring, and envisioning ministry of prophets that God produces such a people.

EVANGELISTS

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT

Because prophets are the most prominent ministry in the Old Testament and apostles are the most prominent in the New, we have a wealth of scriptural insight into their gifting and calling. However, this is not the case with the evangelist. We must, therefore, be diligent to glean what we can from Scripture about this essential ministry. At the same time, the relatively limited amount of biblical definition and instruction allows us a degree of liberty in exploring how this ministry might function to its fullest in the Church.

WHAT ARE EVANGELISTS?

The English word evangelist comes from the Greek euangelistes, which appears only three times in Scripture: in Acts 21:8, where Philip is specifically named an evangelist; in Ephesians 4:11, where it is listed among the gifts of the risen Christ; and in 2 Timothy 4:5 ESV, where Timothy is instructed by Paul to “do the work of an evangelist.” However, there are two other closely associated and more frequently appearing Greek words that share the same root meaning, and which will help us to gain an understanding of the role of the evangelist.

1. EUANGELION — This Greek word appears 77 times in the New Testament. It literally means “a message of good,” and is most often translated “gospel” or “good news.” It is from euangelion that we draw the term evangelism to refer to the mission of proclaiming the gospel, though it should be pointed out that the word evangelism is not found in most English Bibles. When euangelion is used in Scripture, the content of the “message of good” is quite varied and includes the Kingdom of God, the life and ministry of Jesus, the grace of God, truth and salvation, life and immortality, resurrection from the dead, and the future judgment of the wicked and rest for the righteous.

2. EUANGELIZO — This Greek word appears 55 times in the New Testament, and from it we get our English verb evangelize. It literally means “a proclaiming of that which is good” and in most translations it is rendered “to preach the gospel.” There are multiple individuals and groups in the New Testament who are specifically named as “proclaiming that which is good,” including angels, John the Baptist, many of the apostles, Philip, and of course Jesus himself.

Again, the “good” proclaimed in the New Testament varies and includes hope for the poor and sick, the coming birth of Jesus, the Kingdom of God, future judgment of the wicked and rest for the righteous, Jesus and His resurrection to life, peace with God through Christ Jesus, the word of the Lord, the faith and love of the saints, the mystery of God’s eternal will, justification through faith, and the nations blessed in Abraham.

So, from the above we can conclude that an evangelist is “a messenger of good.” As with the word apostle, evangelist is introduced to us in the New Testament but was already a familiar word at that time, albeit not as a religious term. In the first century Greek world, it was used quite generally for messengers bearing any good news. However, it is interesting to note that in a military context (from which Paul often drew analogies), the term had a very specific application. When a military campaign had been won, a particularly swift soldier would be sent out to herald the message of the good news of victory to all he encountered. This soldier would be known as an evangelist.

AN EPHESIANS 4 EVANGELIST

With the great emphasis in Scripture on the mission of preaching the gospel, it is surprising to many that there is only one individual who is specifically called an evangelist in Scripture, namely Philip. However, as we look closely at his example, we find that there is a lot we can learn from him.

PHILIP: SPIRIT-FILLED SERVANT

We first encounter Philip in Acts 6:5, where he is selected as one of the seven men (commonly thought of as deacons) to serve in practical ways to allow the apostles to concentrate on prayer and the ministry of the Word. This tells us two very important things that were evident in Philip prior to the emerging of his evangelistic ministry. He was servant-hearted, and he was full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit, as this was the requirement for those to be chosen (Acts 6:3).

PHILIP: PIONEERING WITH POWER

Before His ascension, Jesus said to his disciples in Acts 1:8 NLT, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

It was only following the terrible but wonderful martyrdom of Stephen, and because of the subsequent persecution of the Church in Jerusalem, that believers did start to fulfill the wider aspect of this commission. Philip is recorded as among the first to break out of Jerusalem, pioneering new territory and functioning with great power:

“Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.” Acts 8:5-7 NLT

This wasn’t just a case of advancing the gospel geographically but also ethnically, taking it beyond the Jews to the Samaritans, who were of mixed Israelite and Gentile blood. Directly following this, we find Philip used by God in the first recorded Gentile conversion, that of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-38).

PHILIP: PARTNERED WITH APOSTLES

It is fascinating to note that despite the extraordinary power in which Philip moved, it required the apostolic ministry of Peter and John to bring the newly-converted Samaritans into the foundational and vital experience of the infilling of the Holy Spirit:

“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:14-17 NLT

PHILIP: HOME AND FAMILY

Philip makes one last appearance in Scripture some twenty years on from the events in Acts 8. In Acts 21:8-9, we find him (by this time referred to as “Philip the evangelist”) hosting Paul and his team at his house in Caesarea, and we learn that he has four prophetic daughters. It is greatly encouraging to see that Philip had clearly remained true to and been recognized in his calling, and had become established in a local community where he had raised a family noteworthy in their passion and gifting in God. There is much modern evangelists might learn by following Philip’s example in this regard.

EVANGELISTS TODAY

When you think evangelist, what impressions come to mind? There are many differing thoughts on this ministry today, sadly not all positive. For many, a shining example of evangelistic ministry is Billy Graham, who for decades was anointed by God with an extraordinary reaping ministry. However, others may find showier but less appealing images coming to mind: white suits, tanned faces, strange hairstyles, etc.

Whether positive or negative, the stereotype of the evangelist preaching to the masses has caused many to miss a more biblical understanding of this ministry. Even on a more local level, there are often characteristics that seem to be associated with evangelists that can be unhelpful. For example, it is often assumed that all evangelists need to be extroverts or natural sales people. In fact, it is the naturally timid Timothy who is exhorted by Paul to “do the work of an evangelist” in 2 Timothy 4:5 ESV.

However, evangelists are typically gripped with a passion for the lost that in most cases exceeds that of the average church leader, thus causing them to feel restricted and stifled in regular church life. This has led to many breaking out of the perceived inflexibility of the Church and into independent ministry or “para-church” organizations. The focused zeal of such organizations can result in them being very fruitful, particularly over the short term, but their tendency to be one-dimensional and the absence of other Ephesians 4 gifts renders them tremendously prone to imbalance and ultimate collapse.

Our passion is to see the evangelist restored to effective functioning in the local church. For this to happen, we need to be missionary-minded enough that someone with an overriding concern to see people born again feels most at home in the Church. So, let us consider further what exactly the role of the evangelist is in the local church.

WHAT DO EVANGELISTS DO?

1. PREACH THE GOSPEL — For evangelists, the task is clear and simple: to proclaim the gospel of God’s grace. This is, of course, something that all believers are called to do, but evangelists are especially gifted in proclaiming the gospel (whether on a personal or public level) in such a way that people are brought to faith in Christ as a result. If apostles and prophets are primarily given to the visionary foundation for the spiritual building, it is evangelists that work at the quarry-face, blasting stones from the rock with which to build. Their lives reflect their passion—they will rarely miss, and usually create, opportunities to proclaim the gospel, typically bearing much fruit. Simply stated, people get born again when evangelists speak!

2. EQUIP THE CHURCH — We must not, however, make the mistake of concluding that the evangelist’s role is to do our evangelism for us! According to Ephesians 4, evangelists were not given primarily to the world of lost humanity but to the Church, to help it be conformed to the likeness of Christ. He is the ultimate Evangelist (Luke 4:18), and evangelists are specifically given to see the missional aspect of Jesus evident and functioning in the Church. In their calling “to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church” (Ephesians 4:12), their ministry will be one of stirring everyone to reach out with the gospel, and stimulating all of us into action by their own example and enthusiasm. Genuine evangelistic gifting is wonderfully contagious, and many reaping skills can be taught (or perhaps we could more accurately say, “caught”) in time spent with evangelists. Evangelists also tend to be both pragmatic and strategic, and God will often give them insight regarding how the entire Church can become more effective in its interaction with the world.

BEING AN EVANGELISTIC PEOPLE

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NLT

The Church’s mandate to impact the world with the gospel of God’s grace is yet another aspect of His unchanging but unfolding purpose for His people. Throughout the Old Testament, we see His desire to have a people who were distinct and set apart, but who because of this were able to manifest His nature and represent Him in the earth. God’s word speaks repeatedly of the light of His salvation shining on and through His people, and the prophet Isaiah in particular declares God’s intention for His people to be this light to the Gentiles:

“He says: ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’” Isaiah 49:6 NLT

Of course, Jesus came as the ultimate embodiment of God’s light in the world (see John 1:4 & 9). However, it is interesting that He said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:5 NLT and, as we see from Matthew 5:14-16, His followers inherit this nature and role from Him. Evangelism is as much about who God has made us to be as what He has called us to do. Nevertheless, as Jesus also makes clear, that light is seen as we step out in obedience to God’s word.

GROWING IN EVANGELISM

The Starting Point — Prayer

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” Matthew 9:37-38 NLT

Our impulsive reaction to the challenge to become more evangelistic can be frenzied activity that, sadly, is often fruitless. The command of the Lord in light of the waiting harvest is that we pray for Him to send out laborers. The harvest will be brought in as His laborers go where He wants them to go and do what He wants them to do. This requires that we seek His direction, listen for His voice, and be led by His Spirit to pray in accordance with His will. The first thing we must do, therefore, is pray, and that is what we must continue to do. If we omit it, or pay mere lip service to it, we will ultimately be disappointed.

Winning Souls

People have sometimes referred to leading people to Christ as “winning souls.” The apostle Paul was very intentional about connecting with people to create a bridge for the gospel. He says in 1 Corinthians 9:22b-23 NLT, “When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”

There are steps we can take to cultivate openness in people to receive the gospel. Evangelists are all gifted in varying degrees with this soul-winning ability, but through the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can all grow in this area. A frequently overlooked factor in winning the hearts of unbelievers is simply listening to and truly hearing what they are saying. When we do this, we earn the right to speak into their lives, and we learn things (from what they say and from what the Spirit is also telling us) that will help us to be relevant in what we communicate.

Demonstrating the Gospel

Another key factor in preparing people to receive the gospel is demonstrating the love, kindness, and mercy of God. It has been said that Christians are to be good news before they share good news. Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). He has actually prepared these good works in advance for us:

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT

We are told that the newly-birthed church in Jerusalem experienced “having favor with all the people” Acts 2:47 NLT. It is reasonable to assume that this is because the people saw—and benefitted from—their goodness, and this no doubt contributed to the daily growth of the church.

Proclaiming the Gospel

“For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” Romans 10:13-14 NLT

Good works are important as a demonstration of the gospel, but they are not a substitute for proclaiming it. God has commanded that His good news is to be spoken forth, and though we may not consider ourselves to be particularly articulate or persuasive, we can have confidence that there is power in the message itself:

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16a NLT

POWER EVANGELISM

“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

This text, known as “The Great Commission,” is possibly the best-known exhortation to evangelism, but it is rare that much attention is given to the opening and closing statements: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth” and “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” His authority and His presence are to be tangible factors in our evangelism, and are experienced as the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to be witnesses (Acts 1:8), equips us for every situation with, for example, words of knowledge and wisdom, prophecy, gifts of healings, and miracles. As previously noted, Paul was very aware of the importance of this dynamic:

“And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NLT

THE PURPOSE OF THE GATHERED CHURCH

As evangelism is so much a part of what we are called to do (not just to reach a lost world but also for the maturing of the saints), there is a risk that it can become the entire focus of the Church—an objective to which many an evangelist is unashamedly given! The danger in this is that the gatherings of the “called out ones” become increasingly geared towards unbelievers and away from the worship of God and the maturing of the saints, which happens through teaching and the functioning of the gifts of the Spirit. The emphasis shifts from a “go and tell” to a “come and see” mentality, and the church meeting, rather than the world, becomes the forum for the preaching of the gospel. This approach is absent from the New Testament, where the gospel was preached in, for example, the Temple Courts, the synagogues, Solomon’s Colonnade, the Halls of Tyrannus, the Temple in Athens, Mars Hill, and most significantly house to house.

The clearest insight we have into the nature and purpose of church meetings comes from Paul’s instructive first letter to the Corinthians. Here, we see a highly charged and extremely charismatic environment which, although needing guidance, was in no way discouraged by Paul. Rather than advocating a gearing of the meeting towards unbelievers, Paul merely addresses the potential scenario of how any unbeliever who may turn up is likely to react:

“But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, ‘God is truly here among you.’” 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 NLT

This is a far cry from the modern tendency to structure and “tone down” our entire gatherings for the comfort of unbelievers.

THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF EVANGELISM

In his book on missions, Let the Nations be Glad, John Piper makes the following profound and provoking statements:

“All of history is moving toward one great goal, the white-hot worship of God and His Son among all the peoples of the earth. Missions is not that goal. It is the means. And for that reason it is the second greatest human activity in the world.”

“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the Church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man.”

It is, therefore, our fervent and continuous prayer that, by the grace of God, we will continue to develop evangelistically without losing anything of our passion for corporate worship and functioning in the gifts of the Spirit. The biblical key to this development is the emerging of Ephesians 4 evangelists, so let us continue to beseech Jesus to give them to the Church, while personally accepting the apostolic challenge to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5 ESV). Who knows how many might find that God has gifted them in this respect beyond what they have asked or imagined!

TEACHERS

PASTOR / TEACHER

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT

Having considered apostles, prophets, and evangelists in the last three sessions, we will now look at shepherds and teachers. We might think we are on more familiar ground here than in previous sessions since, of all the Ephesians 4 ministries, shepherds (frequently referred to as “pastors”) and teachers are the most common and accepted in the Church at large. However, as we examine what the Word of God says about them, we can expect to be challenged in our preconceptions and expanded in our understanding of these gifts to the Church.

TWO MINISTRIES OR ONE?

In the context of Ephesians 4, some consider shepherds and teachers to be a single ministry, namely the “shepherd- teacher.” One reason for this is linguistic, as in the original Greek, shepherds and teachers are not separated from one another in quite the same way as are the preceding gifts. Another reason is that the two ministries have many overlapping responsibilities and functions, and one might argue that it is impossible to properly fulfill the role of one without moving to some degree in the gift of the other. However, while acknowledging these points, we feel there is sufficient distinction and individual significance in these ministries to consider them separately. We will actually start by looking at teachers.

TEACHERS IN SCRIPTURE

When we come across the word teacher in the Old Testament, it is often translating the Hebrew word sofer, which is from a verb meaning “to tell or inscribe,” and could also mean “a secretary, scribe or writer.” It came to refer to a distinctive class among the priesthood who specialized in preserving and interpreting sacred writings. In the New Testament, the Greek word used to refer to teachers in the Church is didaskalos. It was understood to refer to those who were recognized authorities in the interpretation of Scripture.

“Look, God is all-powerful. Who is a teacher like him?” Job 36:22 NLT

God’s heart has always been to impart understanding to His people so that they might know Him and fulfill His purpose. In His interaction with Moses in Exodus, we see His desire not only to communicate His will to His servants, but also that they would communicate it to others:

“Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives.” Exodus 18:20 NLT

The faithfulness of teachers to confront God’s people with His Word, and the importance of their doing so, is evident throughout the Old Testament. For example, Ezra and Nehemiah’s teaching ministries were vital at a time of restoration in Israel’s history:

“They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.” Nehemiah 8:8 NLT

TEACHERS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

In the Gospels, Jesus Christ is revealed as the ultimate Teacher (“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am.” John 13:13 NLT). Since His Church is to reflect every aspect of who He is, it is not surprising that He gave teachers to help equip and shape it, and that they have such a fundamental place in God’s strategy:

“Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers,” 1 Corinthians 12:28 NLT

As in Ephesus and Corinth, the church in Antioch had teachers, including Paul (then still known as Saul – Acts 13:1), who acknowledges this aspect of his gift and calling in 1 Timothy 2:7 and 2 Timothy 1:11. It is clear that Apollos was also a prominent teacher in the early Church (Acts 18:24-26). The caution expressed in James 3:1 NLT (“…not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.”) shows that it was a recognized role in the Church throughout the nations, to which many aspired.

THE GIFT AND CALL OF THE TEACHER

Past experience of teaching in the Church and the world may have left some with negative preconceptions. In their effort to convey a deeper understanding of Scripture, teachers do tend to be more meticulous and methodical than the other ministries.

However, far from being dry or dull, the gift of teaching, operating under the anointing of God, should be captivating and revelatory, and should not only inform and equip, but also inspire us to live in the good of the Word of God. Again, we are conscious of the fact that this may not have been people’s experience of teachers, but that is probably because they have not encountered true, Ephesians 4 teachers. These may vary greatly in style and personality, but they do seem to share certain characteristics:

A PASSION TO KNOW THE TRUTH — Teachers tend to be motivated by a general desire to learn and understand, but in particular they have a hunger for the truth of God’s Word. They treasure it, love to spend time in it, and love to talk about it. They want to know everything about it! Whereas others might shy away from some parts of Scripture as “too difficult to understand,” teachers are excited to take up the challenge by diligently studying and reaching to God for revelation.

A PASSION TO INTERPRET THE TRUTH — No aspect of the truth stands in isolation from the rest of God’s Word. Therefore, teachers should always consider Scripture in the light of Scripture, and the smallest detail in the light of the big picture. This is often expressed in a desire to maintain balance or to hold the truths of God in tension, but the root is their desire to know the whole counsel of the Word of God.

A PASSION TO CONVEY THE TRUTH — It should perhaps go without saying that the foremost characteristic of the teacher is the ability to teach. While all Christians should have some ability in this regard, teachers are obviously gifted by God with a far greater measure than others. Once teachers gain understanding, they can impart it. Rather than making simple issues complex, they endeavor to cast complex issues in clear and simple terms, thus making the Word of God accessible to all people.

A PASSION TO APPLY THE TRUTH — Teachers should never be content with things staying in the realm of theory. They share the conviction of Moses regarding God’s truths: “These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.” Deuteronomy 32:47 NLT. Their passion is to see what they have taught lived out in practical and God-glorifying ways in people’s lives, and the Kingdom of God extended as a consequence.

PREPARING GOD’S PEOPLE TO TEACH

As with all the Ephesians 4 ministries, it is important to keep in mind that the teaching ministry is given to equip the saints for the work of ministry. This involves assisting in the process of transformation that comes by changing the way you think (Romans 12:2). The goal of an Ephesians 4 teacher is that everyone in the church will hunger for, interpret, apply, and convey God’s Word themselves. Part of “The Great Commission” (Matthew 28:18-20) is that we are all to teach new disciples to observe everything that Jesus has commanded us. Although we will not all be teachers in the Ephesians 4 sense, it is interesting to note these challenging words from the writer to the Hebrews:

“You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.” Hebrews 5:12 NLT

There is, therefore, an expectation that everyone ought to be able to teach at least the elementary truths. Teachers can and should equip us for this work of service. Furthermore, we see in 1 Timothy 3:2 that an elder must be “able to teach,” and in Titus 1:9 that he must be able to “give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” Part of the role of Ephesians 4 teachers will no doubt be to help to equip local elders in these respects.

TEACHERS IN THEIR RIGHTFUL POSITION

To a large extent today, sound biblical teaching has been side-lined or even abandoned in favor of the pursuit of “experiences” or feel-good philosophies:

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.” 2 Timothy 4:3 NLT

This results in a selfish and ineffectual church. As R. T. Kendall has said, “A dearth of solid teaching in the church reveals that the body of Christ needs more than good experience—it needs good theology.”

However, it is also very important to remind ourselves not to elevate the role of the teacher to an inappropriate place. Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones observed that churches can be “perfectly orthodox and perfectly useless!” This can certainly be the case where a teacher functions apart from the other gifts, or is the lead gift in the church. Our desire is for the restoration of the biblical model of teachers working alongside the other gifts, particularly apostles and prophets.

Having looked at teachers, let us now consider the Ephesians 4 shepherd.

SHEPHERDS

SHEPHERDS OR PASTORS?

Surprising as it was to learn that evangelist appears only three times in our Bibles, it is even more surprising to learn that pastor—the most common and accepted of all the Ephesians 4 terms—appears only once in most English translations of the Bible!

The term translated pastors in most versions of Ephesians 4:11, is translating the Greek word poimenas, meaning “shepherds.” The singular and plural forms of this Greek word actually appear seventeen other times in the Greek New Testament, but in all these other instances, most English translations correctly use shepherd/shepherds. Why did they not do so in Ephesians 4:11, and why did they use the word pastors? Pastor comes from the Latin word pastoris, which has the root meaning of “feeding” (it relates to the English word pasture) and was used in Latin in connection with shepherding. As such, if one were looking for a substitute for shepherds when translating poimenas, it is a reasonable choice. We cannot say for sure why the early Bible translators did want to use a word other than shepherds here. Perhaps they felt that shepherd did not sound spiritual enough, or that people might actually confuse it with the farming role.

Whatever the reason, and no matter how well-intentioned it may have been, we have already seen in this course how the enemy can seize upon a mistranslation as an opportunity to distort a truth and wreak havoc in the Church. With the word shepherd, the nature of the ministry would have been clear. With pastor, the Church has had to accept whatever definition (if any) has been presented. This has led to the term being confusingly applied in some churches not just to the people leading the church, but to anyone leading any particular area of ministry, even if the role does not actually involve shepherding, e.g., the “Worship Pastor,” “Evangelism Pastor,” “Pastor of Administration,” etc.

PASTORS TODAY

In much of the modern church, Pastor has basically become the title given to the leader of the church. Since most churches do not have biblical elderships, the “pastor” is the primary, if not sole, authority. Such “pastors” may have a measure of one or more of the Ephesians 4 gifts, but are looked to by the congregation as the supplier of all their needs in terms of ministry, care, and government. This is often a source of great frustration for the church, and can be a crippling weight on the “pastor.” That said, the term Senior Pastor in larger churches often refers to someone who functions as a manager, or even in a CEO-like role, with little hands-on care for people. So then, even when the term pastor is used, it is important that we remain faithful to the original word being translated—shepherd/shepherds. We need, therefore, to take a brief look at what the Word of God shows us of shepherds.

SHEPHERDS IN SCRIPTURE

The image of the shepherd is prevalent and significant throughout the Bible. God Himself is often referred to as a shepherd, most famously in Psalm 23:1 NLT: “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.”

Prominent figures in the Old Testament who were shepherds by occupation include Jacob and his sons, Moses, the prophet Amos, and of course the writer of Psalm 23, David. God had deliberately placed David in this role to prepare him for his greater destiny as the shepherd of His people:

“He chose his servant David, calling him from the sheep pens. He took David from tending the ewes and lambs and made him the shepherd of Jacob’s descendants—God’s own people, Israel.” Psalm 78:70-71 NLT

As with David, God often referred to those who ruled His people as shepherds. In Ezekiel 34, God speaks against the “shepherds” of Israel who failed to care for, and indeed mistreated, His flock. In this instance, God declared that He would intervene to shepherd His flock Himself. Nevertheless, His purpose remained that His care would be shown through faithful and anointed servants (“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15 NLT).

SHEPHERDS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew references the prophet Micah in speaking of the coming of the ultimate Shepherd, Jesus:

“‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” Matthew 2:6 NLT

Jesus referred to Himself as “the good shepherd” (John 10:11,14) and is called “the great shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20), “the Shepherd and Overseer” of our souls (1 Peter 2:25) and “the chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4). Once again then, it should not be surprising that one of the gifts we see Him giving to the Church in Ephesians 4 is a ministry by which His very nature as Shepherd is made manifest in His people.

Although no individual is specifically identified as a “shepherd” in the New Testament, it is significant to note the shepherding mandate given to Peter when Jesus re-commissions him in John 21:15-17.

THE GIFT AND CALL OF THE SHEPHERD

Ephesians 4 shepherds have a God-given desire to care for, nurture, guard, and guide the flock. Their genuine love for people is tangibly felt, as it is evidenced in real concern and practical care for individuals. As seen in the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15, the shepherd’s heart is at times more focused on rescuing and restoring the one lost sheep than managing the many.

However, it requires more than love and good intentions to fulfill the role of the shepherd. Having mentioned earlier God’s choosing of David to be the shepherd of His people, let’s note the qualities he had for the job:

“He cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands.” Psalm 78:72 NLT

Shepherds deal with people’s lives and are looked to and relied upon by them. They must act with absolute integrity, as befits any servant of God. They must never be self-seeking, or abuse the trust they are given by being controlling or manipulative. Their focus must always be on the righteous will of God and the best interests of the people.

It is equally important that shepherds are skilled in dealing with people, individually and corporately. Although some of this skill may have come from the experiences of life, it is primarily the anointing of the Holy Spirit that enables the shepherd to do the work of the Great Shepherd.

PREPARING GOD’S PEOPLE TO SHEPHERD

As we will see in a later session, elders obviously have an important responsibility when it comes to God’s shepherding heart and care for His people. Both Paul and Peter exhort elders to shepherd the people of God whom they oversee (Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:2). Though some translations render the exhortation, “be shepherds,” in the Greek it is the verb not the noun that is used. The instruction is what they are to do, not who they are to be. These instructions may, therefore, be like Paul’s instruction to Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5), the implication being that this was not the work that he was necessarily most gifted or inclined to do, but was the work that his position and the circumstances required. Similarly, it is unlikely that shepherding was the primary gifting of all of the elders Paul and Peter addressed. They, like elders today, would need substantial help to enable them to do this.

Since the Ephesians 4 shepherd is to prepare God’s people for the work of ministry, an important part of this task will be to inspire and enable the whole church, and especially elders, to shepherd all those whom God will bring into His Kingdom. As with apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers, this will typically lead the Ephesians 4 shepherd to have a ministry wider than their home church. This equipping aspect of the shepherding ministry has rarely been seen, and desperately needs to be restored to the Church.

EMBRACING CHRIST’S GIFTS TO THE CHURCH

“Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:14-16 NLT

Together, shepherds and teachers help to see the body of Christ built up to shepherd and instruct one another in accordance with God’s ways. To continue the building metaphor, they work to see the individual stones shaped so that they fit smoothly into the overall structure. However, much of the modern Western church, predominantly led by shepherds and teachers, has been guilty of producing increasingly fat and inactive sheep. The key to their God- intended effectiveness will come as they are partnered not just with one another, but also with the other Ephesians 4 ministries.

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT

These gifts are given by God to ordinary individuals, whom Christ then gives to the Church. There can be a tendency to want the benefit of the gift without real relationship with the person through whom Christ gives it. This should not be so, as it is made expressly clear in Scripture that we will lack tremendously, and in fact will fail to mature, if we do not embrace these indispensable parts of the body.

THE WORD AND THE WORKERS

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

Most Christians rightly accept the essentiality of Scripture for growth and maturity. However, it is interesting to note the correspondence between what these verses say of the role and function of Scripture, and what Ephesians 4:11-13 says of the role and function of these ministries. Just as all Scripture is given by God, these ministries are given by Christ. Just as Scripture is given to the man of God, these ministries are given to the people of God. Just as Scripture is given to thoroughly equip the man of God, these ministries are given to prepare God’s people. Just as Scripture prepares the man of God for every good work, these ministries prepare God’s people for the work of ministry.

As we hope has been shown over these recent sessions, the Ephesians 4 ministries, as well as the Word of God, are absolutely essential for the equipping and maturing of the Church. Our prayer is that everyone attending this course will be left with a lasting conviction regarding how God intends to build His house.