What is my role within the church?
For the
past several weeks I have been teaching a course at Grace Church of the Valley
School of Ministry on the Five-fold Ministry, using text Ephesians 4: 11 in the
KJV it reads …
“And
he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers;” and the
Amplified Bible (AMP): “11 And [His gifts to the church were varied
and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers,
representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the
people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some
as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct],”
I found the past few years very
interesting as I have spent time preparing and studying material and lectures
for this course at GCOTV School of Ministry.
I look at scripture within the
context it is written and the historical perspective of the church that much of
what I was taught growing up in the Fundamental Baptist as well as attended
some great Baptist colleges. I missed
some great blessings of scripture. This passage of scripture is one of those
blessings. I was taught or better yet indoctrinated that passages such as this
and references to Gifts of the Spirit stopped at the time the Scripture (Bible)
was completed (basically stating that they ceased at the Apostle Johns death).
Today as a Professor of Pastoral
Theology, Minister, and Student of the Word of God I attempt to look at the
scripture through the church worldwide not through the limited scope of a
denomination, college, or the teaching of one particular preacher or pastor. As ministers we often quote: 2 Timothy 3:16
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) “16
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking,
for correcting, for training in righteousness,” if we truly agree with this
then we must agree that the passages we disagree with are inspired.
So, what about the passage in
Ephesians where the Apostle Paul writes: He gave (of course we know that the
Apostle Paul is referring to Christ) Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors,
and Teachers so let’s break this down into simple terms:
1)
Apostle …
The simple meaning of the word is “Messenger
or Representative” these individuals have a clear understanding of the word
of God both the “Logos Word” which is the written word we find within scripture
and the “Rhema Word” that God uses men to share with individuals to uplift and
move forward in the ministry.
2)
Prophet
… The simple meaning of the word is “Proclaimer
of Truth” of what God is doing with the in the church, world, and within
individuals lives.
3)
Evangelist
… The simple meaning of this word is “Soul-winner”
this individual doesn’t see people he/she see soul’s individuals that need a
personal relationship with Christ and they will go out of their way to share
the truth with them.
4)
Pastor
… The Elders, Bishops, and Overseers of the local assembly of believers, the shepherd of the flock the individual
that God mandated to feed the sheep, protect the sheep, and care for the sheep.
5)
Teacher …
The individual that is entrusted to take
the Body of Christ deeper into the understanding of the Word. Preparing individuals to defend the faith and
share the foundation truths of scripture within the Body of Christ so that the
church is effective in ministering to those within and in the community.
Personally, I have noticed a few
“what I will call” rules for these Gifts …
I.
They are never
self-proclaimed, they are always God appointed with confirmation of the
local Body of Christ or denomination.
II.
They always
operate within the authority of the local Body of Christ or denomination
and under the leadership of that ministry or with the Local church or
denomination providing wise-counsel and direction.
III.
They have a personal devotion and desire to
continue to study the word of God and seek God’s face daily to advance themselves
in their personal relationship with God (with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit)
IV.
All of them have one central theme or desire …. Build the Body of Christ!
Back to my original question: “What
is my role within the church?” …
Sadly,
it took me over 25 years to find and understand my role within the Body of
Christ. Even though I was always teaching serving as Children’s Pastor, Men’s
Leader, and Pastoring (either as Senior Pastor or Associate) I always felt I
was missing something. About four years
ago the Lord led my wife and I to Grace Church of the Valley and Pastor Roger
Webb who walks out the Gifts of the Spirit, and especially the gift of discernment. After one conversation, he simply said, “You
have the gift of teaching, I want you to teach and lead my School of Ministry”
and the rest is history …
I
would encourage every pastor, minister, and member of the Body of Christ to identify
your Gift and seek wisdom in how you can apply it to help build the Body of
Christ. Don’t fill a spot because there is a need, find a ministry because
there is a passion.
