What is the power behind all the ministries in the church? How could giving ministries a title hinder the work? In what ways might it help?
The foundation I have laid is Jesus Christ, and no man should lay any other. Build upon this foundation gold, silver, and precious stones, or wood, hay, and stubble. Every person’s work will be tested. The fire on Judgment Day will reveal the eternal value of each person’s work. Those who have built a surviving structure on the sure foundation will receive their reward. — 1 Corinthians 3:11–14 The Discussion Bible
Teaching on the five-fold ministry centers around what the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, where he describes five areas of ministry: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—which might be misleading because these are not separate job positions to be recognized as special appointments. Actually, Paul is describing key areas of ministry in which any one individual, on a given day, might function in any one or more of these areas.
Many, if not most, church leaders miss the importance of these roles as they claim just one of them as a badge of spirituality. If we read Ephesians 4:11 more carefully, we can understand why the ministry label is of little significance. The work done is what’s important, which most people assume is to meet the needs of people. But that’s not what Paul said their purpose was. What was it? To equip believers for ministry—that is, to create more apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.
For better clarity, we might consider The Discussion Bible wording:
We spread the good news according to the means he has given to us as his special messengers, teaching, preaching, traveling the country, or speaking in one place to equip God’s people to do his work and strengthen the family of Christ. — Ephesians 4:11–12
Just as there are good cops and bad cops who all flash the same kind of badge, we have ministries making the same claims—but they function in various degrees of effectiveness. Let’s look at these different areas to learn what their primary focus is and how it serves God’s purpose in growing the body of believers.
What “Church” Means
To understand the ministries God places in the church, we do well contrast a few perspectives of what church is. The English word church can refer to a building, a religious organization, a denomination that shares common beliefs, a local assembly, or a worship service. Some have said, “No, the church is the body of Christ.” That’s a wonderful religious definition, but in respect to the surveys that say 50 percent of those who attend church don’t really know God, we might need to be more specific.
Permit me to be a bit radical and offer my own definition: The church is a community of believers who know Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life. They are disciples who follow him wholeheartedly, seeking to reflect his character and honor him in all they say and do, fulfilling God’s purpose for their lives. Might we simplify that definition? The church is a group of Jesus’ disciples, sent to do his will. If you agree with these definitions, then our perception of “church” may need to change from what we have previously thought.
When I attend a weekend service, I see the room filled with smiling, joyful people standing for worship, many with their hands raised, singing praises to God. I recognize them as my friends, although I don’t really know most of them. I feel like I’m part of a big happy family of Jesus’ disciples. This is “church,” right?
Jesus might say, “Wait. Not so fast. If you’re not willing to give up everything, you can’t be my disciple. In fact, to be my disciple, you must sacrifice your life for my sake—or you’ll lose it.” That’s the message recorded by all four Gospel writers in Matthew 16:24–25; Mark 8:34–35; Luke 9:23–24; 14:26–27, 33; and John 12:24–26. I wonder how many people in a weekend service fit that requirement—willing to die for Christ. God knows. I can only guess.
We need only to look at ourselves to see if we’re part of this elite group of people who “have overcome Satan by the sacrifice of the Lamb, by giving their testimonies, and by complete surrender to God’s will, even unto death” (Revelation 12:11). If that’s true, then we should be seeing God’s presence working in our lives, doing what Jesus said his disciples would be doing, works greater than what he was doing.
And in some way, we should be part of that five-fold ministry.
I guarantee, those who believe in me will do the work I have been doing. They will do even greater work because I go to the Father. — John 14:12
Apostles —Builders and Pioneers
Sometimes, Paul referred to himself as one “called to be an apostle,” which suggests a function directed by the Holy Spirit, not a position obtained. The word apostle (Greek apostolos) means “one who is sent.” Apostles are often regarded as spiritual architects who help establish foundations for new ministries, churches, and movements. In the early Church, they were those sent by Christ to proclaim his kingdom, plant churches, and maintain doctrinal integrity.
Apostles are not limited to the twelve who walked with Jesus. Scripture refers to others. Besides Paul, we have Barnabas (Acts 14:14), James the Lord’s brother (Galatians 1:19), Silas (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:6), Timothy (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:6), Apollos (1 Corinthians 4:6–9), Andronicus (Romans 16:7), Junia (Romans 16:7), Titus (2 Corinthians 8:23), and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25).
Modern apostles often serve as founders of ministries or church networks—visionaries who create new paths for others to follow in their function as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Think of a missionary who goes to unreached nations or a leader who establishes a Bible translation project that equips churches worldwide.
Prophets — The Messengers and Watchmen
Prophets aren’t God-appointed fortune-tellers. They speak God’s truth for the present moment. Historically, those messages are not popular and lead to martyrdom (Matthew 23:37). On the other hand, false prophets tell what people want to hear and are assumed to have a message from God (2 Timothy 4:3–4). Scripture says all may prophesy, that is—reveal God’s heart, expose deception, and call believers back to truth.
Scripture refers to many people who were “prophets,” although they don’t fit the modern perception of someone predicting the future. These were people like Abraham (Genesis 20:7), Moses (Deuteronomy 34:10), and Aaron (Exodus 7:1). Women were called prophets—such as Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4–5), and Philip’s four daughters (Acts 21:8–9).
Sometimes people will say, “God told me …” as if saying that will validate the message. Actually, that practice has the opposite effect, because anybody can say that, no matter whether it’s true or not. If what we’re saying is from the Lord, the truth doesn’t need that validation.
We might sense when a ministry is drifting from God’s purpose and share that insight or bring words of encouragement during seasons of doubt. We don’t have to say, “God told me.”
If apostles lay the foundation, prophets ensure the building stays plumb and level. They hold up the spiritual “blueprint,” making sure the Church doesn’t drift from God’s design.
Evangelists — The Harvesters and Heralds
Timothy is included in the names of “we apostles” (1 Thessalonians 1:1), yet Paul encourages him to do the work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5). Philip and Steven are among the seven evangelists who are listed in Acts 21:8. These are people who take the Great Commission to heart, sharing the Gospel with clarity and conviction, reaching hearts that others might overlook. Their focus is outward, calling lost sheep into the fold. They are not confined to crusades or pulpits but often thrive in everyday encounters, workplaces, and communities, making Christ known through love and boldness.
Go to all nations and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey all that I have commanded you. Remember, I will always be with you, even until the end of the world. — Matthew 28:19–20
If apostles build and prophets warn, evangelists are the ones who gather. We are the “fishers of men,” who cast wide nets, celebrating each person who is caught in God’s grace. With your email, blog, or shared personal story, you should be doing the work of the evangelist, helping others to encounter Christ personally.
Pastors — The Caregivers and Guides
Pastors are likened to shepherds who were considered the lowest among the workers because even a child can do it. The requirement is to be somebody who cares for others and isn’t a hireling, doing the work for money (John 10:11–13). The Greek word for pastor is poimēn, meaning “shepherd.”
Churches have been known to liken their members to “sheep.” That concept might be inadequate, missing one of the five-fold ministry purposes for the church. In essence, church leadership should seek to transform sheep into shepherds. Any Christian can qualify. That’s right, even a child can do it. We begin by caring for others in need, and then we prayerfully follow God’s direction in providing help.
We may not have a global audience, but we faithfully tend to individual needs—visiting the sick, counseling the broken, teaching the Word, and modeling Christlike love. In doing that work, we may never stand before a congregation, preaching.
If evangelists bring the sheep into the fold, pastors make sure they stay healthy and safe. They are the caretakers who mend wounds and help believers grow strong.
Teachers — The Grounders and Explainers of Truth
Since teachers occupy last place in the list of ministries, we might assume it’s the easiest and least significant. Anybody can teach, right? No, that’s entirely wrong. Every one of the five-fold ministries owes its effectiveness to the work of the Holy Spirit. For teaching, this is especially true. Not only is the Spirit our guide into truth (John 16:13), but he is the enabler giving us the right words to say (Matthew 10:19–20).
We should remember that many of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law had studied Scripture all their lives, yet they misidentified Jesus as a servant of the devil (Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15; John 5:39–40). What does this history tell us? As godly teachers, we cannot be like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, who merely repeated what they had been taught. We must be led of the Spirit to be real and relevant, not only knowing the truth but able to share it in a way that people can hear and understand.
Writers, small group leaders, and Bible study hosts seek to help others comprehend truth. The power of teaching is not how much one knows, but how effectively one helps others grow.
The Unified Purpose — Building Up the Body
The five-fold ministry is about function and maturity, not titles or hierarchy. Each work of the Holy Spirit seeks to bring people to a greater surrender to God’s will—so they can know the truth that sets them free. The title and position aren’t important. But allowing God’s presence to work in our lives is crucial.
Jesus said we were made to bear fruit. If we don’t, we’re worthless, to be thrown into the trash or burned in the fire (Matthew 3:10; 7:19; Luke 13:6–9; John 15:2, 6). So this is serious stuff. We should actively seek to be part of this five-fold ministry, because without that, we have no place in the Kingdom of God.
Be generous in giving of what you have received, as good servants who demonstrate the abundance of God’s grace. Let your words reflect God’s message, and serve others with whatever abilities and resources you have. In all you say and do, may Jesus Christ be glorified, for all honor and praise belong to him forever. Let it be so. — 1 Peter 4:10–11 The Discussion Bible
For many more open-ended discussion questions for almost every verse in the Bible, check out The Discussion Bible
$9.95 Ebook
$19.95
New Testament
$26.95
Old Testament
Volume 1
