Five-fold ministry
Read this if you want to understand the PURPOSE and IMPORTANCE of the five-fold ministry in the church
1. Specialist ministries
A. We can all do basic cooking e.g. boil an egg.
B. But sometimes we may use a specialist e.g. a chef at a restaurant or wedding - to cook a meal which is beyond our capabilities.
A. We can all have a go at basic car / bike maintenance e.g. checking the tyre pressures.
B. But sometimes we need a specialist - a mechanic to keep the car / bike working properly.
It's the same in God's church:
A. We all have our part to play, in the usual activities of the church.
B. But God causes SOME people to SPECIALISE in a particular field:
1 Corinthians 12:28 ~ And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers,
after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps (= helping the needy), governments (= eldership / giving guidance), diversities of tongues.
2. The church is like the different parts of a building
For example - the floor, walls, roof, doors etc.
They’re all needed - but differ from each other.
A building is not made completely of doors: it only needs a few.
In the same way - not everyone in the church is e.g. a prophet: only a few are needed.
Doors are useful, but no good for walking on - a building also needs a floor.
Specialists are good in their role - but to work properly, a church needs the ENTIRE RANGE of ministries.
3. Why is the five-fold ministry important?
Ephesians 4
Verse 11
11And He (= Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
--> The five-fold ministry is like the four fingers & thumb on our hands:
Distinct.
All needed.
Work together.
Verses 12-13
12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying (= building up) of the body of Christ:
13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
--> The role of the five-fold ministry is to:
Extend the Kingdom of God.
Build us up spiritually.
Help us to become more like Jesus.
4. What are the roles of the five ministries?
MINISTRY - PURPOSE (we’ll look at each in more detail later)
Apostle - Pioneer a new work, to extend the Kingdom of God.
Prophet - Deliver a specific word from God, to a specific people.
Evangelist - Help save people.
Pastor - Look after believers, like a shepherd looks after the sheep.
Teacher - Build-up believers, by Bible teaching.
We need exposure to ALL FIVE.
We shouldn’t expect the pastor of our church to do everything - he doesn’t have the specialist knowledge & anointing:
So pastors should occasionally invite an: evangelist, prophet & teacher to the church.
Like we occasionally need to call a specialist (e.g. dentist, plumber, mechanic), to make sure that everything in our body / home / car is working properly.
5. Apostle
Matthew 10
Verse 1
1And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Jesus initially called the twelve disciples - because they’d been learning from Him (disciple = a learner / student / follower / apprentice).
But He then called them apostles:
Verses 2-6
2Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
5These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
--> The Greek word ‘Apostello’ = ‘To send, often for a particular purpose’ (as in verses 5-6 above):
Apostle = a believer sent by God, to PIONEER A NEW WORK.
Like an entrepreneur starts a new business.
Ephesians 2:19-20
19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone.
How do we KNOW that someone’s an apostle?
2 Corinthians 12:12 ~ Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Apostles significantly extend the Kingdom of God - by operating or having influence beyond a single church.
This is obvious to believers who know them / their work.
Illustration
Like in harvest season:
We don’t need a sign in front of an apple tree saying ‘This is an apple tree’.
We can SEE the fruit.
No visible fruit = not an apostle.
Jesus commended the church at Ephesus:
Revelation 2:2 b ~ … and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
--> We shouldn’t accept everyone who says they’re an apostle.
--> We should look for the EVIDENCE:
Successfully pioneering a new church or other Christian ministry.
Significantly extending the Kingdom of God.
Further reading
Joshua 3:7, 4:14
Acts 14:3-4 (at Iconium)
1 Corinthians 9:2 (at Corinth)
2 Corinthians 3:1-3 (at Corinth), 11:12-15 (false apostles)
We can ONLY be an apostle (or an evangelist / pastor / teacher / prophet) IF GOD CALLS US to be one:
Romans 1:1 ~ Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God
--> We can’t appoint ourselves.
--> Only God can do that.
Illustration
Like in a football match:
A substitute can’t send himself / herself onto the pitch.
Only their manager has that authority.
Further reading
Numbers 1:1 then 4-17 & 51; 27:15-19
Deuteronomy 1:38, 10:8, 18:5, 21:5, 31:3
1 Samuel 2:27-28, 12:6
1 Chronicles 14:2
Psalm 105:26
Isaiah 22:20-23
Haggai 2:23
Matthew 9:38
John 1:6, 13:20
Acts 9:15, 20:24
1 Corinthians 1:1
2 Corinthians 1:1
Galatians 1:1
Ephesians 1:1, 3:7
Colossians 1:1
1 Timothy 1:1, 2:7
2 Timothy 1:1 & 11 (Paul multi-tasked - he was a: preacher, apostle & teacher)
Apostles aren’t perfect - they can make mistakes
Galatians 2:11 ~ But when Peter was come to Antioch, I (= Paul) withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
--> The apostle Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentile (= non-Jewish) believers.
--> So Paul corrected him.
--> Apostles today may also need to be corrected: just like the rest of us.
Final point on apostles - they have a tough life!
1 Corinthians 4:9-13
9For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place;
12And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled (= verbally abused) we bless; being persecuted, we suffer (= endure) it:
13Being defamed (= slandered), we intreat (= answer softly & bring comfort): we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring (= rejects) of all things unto this day.
Illustration
Being an apostle / pioneering a new ministry is like:
The first Allied soldiers going ashore on the Normandy D-Day & Pacific island beaches - they took the pain, so that others could follow & fulfil their tasks.
A drill-bit going into a hard wall - the drill-bit is under great pressure until it breaks through.
Further reading
2 Timothy 1:11-12
Other believers may even speak out against the apostle’s work - because they don't like change, and don’t understand that God has called the apostle to start a new ministry.
6. Evangelist
Helps God to save people:
We should all evangelise - but God calls some believers to specialise in this.
For example - God has used: George Whitfield, Billy Graham, Reinhardt Bonnke, Steve Hill, Daniel Kolenda etc. as very successful evangelists.
Illustration
In business terms:
The evangelist is like the salesman - who goes out to gain a new customer.
The pastor is like the after-sales staff - who then look after the customer.
For more detail - see the ‘Evangelism’ message on WholeCounselofGod.com
7. Pastor
Titus 1:5-7
5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting (= missing / unfinished), and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry (= not quick-tempered),
not given to wine, no striker (= not violent), not given to filthy lucre (= not greedy for financial / material gain).
The Bible uses the following words in an interchangeable way:
Bishop
Elder
Overseer
Pastor
Shepherd (The Hebrew word for 'Pastor' is the same word as for 'Shepherd'.)
Further reading
Acts 20:17 & 28
There’s nothing in the Bible to suggest that 'bishops' should oversee / have authority over a group of pastors:
The Authorised / King James Version of the Bible uses ‘bishop’ because it was commissioned by King James (of Scotland & England), who appointed ‘bishops’ over ‘pastors’ - so that he could control the UK church.
But this control by 'bishops' isn’t a Biblical model!
What should a pastor do?
Jeremiah 3:15 ~ And I will give you pastors according to Mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
--> The pastor’s job (as well as leading & guarding 'the sheep') is to FEED the local church with the Word of God:
If this isn’t happening - the ‘sheep will starve’, or look elsewhere for spiritual nourishment.
So pastors shouldn’t let other activities get in the way of their main task.
Further reading
Jeremiah 23:4
Acts 20:28
1 Timothy 5:17
1 Peter 5:1-4
Importance of ‘feeding the sheep’
Ezekiel 34
Verses 1-2
1And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds (= pastors) of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds;
Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
--> God gets ANGRY if shepherds DON'T feed the sheep.
--> It’s like parents not feeding their children.
Verses 3-4
3Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
4The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken,
neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
--> These shepherds / pastors were using people, instead of helping them.
--> That’s the opposite of what should happen.
Verses 5-6
5And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat (= food) to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
6My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, My flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.
--> If the pastor doesn’t look after the sheep: then they’ll be scattered and in danger.
--> Like unprotected chickens when there are: foxes / dogs / cats around.
If sheep are not fed properly --> they’ll be weak.
If believers are not fed properly --> they’ll be spiritually weak and easily led astray.
Remember the ‘Feed the world’ lyric - in the fund-raising song by Band Aid, to help relieve the Ethiopian famine?
The equivalent song for pastors today would be: ‘Feed the sheep’.
Further reading
Jeremiah 10:21, 50:6
8. Teacher
Matthew 11:1 ~ And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding His twelve disciples, He departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
--> Jesus and the early church:
Preached
Taught
What’s the DIFFERENCE between preaching & teaching?
Preaching
Is like a strong cup of coffee - it wakes us up.
Gives us a short-term boost to do the right thing.
Teaching
Is like eating: oats / maize / pasta.
Sustains us for the longer-term.
We need both.
Further reading
Matthew 4:23, 9:35
Luke 20:1
Acts 5:42, 14:21, 15:35, 28:30-31
Q - What does the teacher DO?
Nehemiah 8:8 ~ So they (Ezra & the Levites) read in the Book in the Law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
A - The Teacher:
Understands the passage himself.
Then passes on the meaning to other believers - in a clear, practical & memorable way.
Further reading
Colossians 1:28
What’s the difference between a pastor and a teacher?
The pastor teaches the same group of people regularly - in the local church.
The teacher usually teaches different groups of people:
By visiting different churches.
At Bible schools, camps & conferences.
Via: books / audio / online etc.
Luke 13:22 ~ And He (= Jesus) went through the cities and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem.
--> Jesus taught different groups of people, in different places.
Further reading
Mark 6:6
Luke 23:5
Q - Why do believers NEED the occasional input from a teacher?
A - To cover topics their pastor is less familiar with, or in more depth.
No-one can be an expert in everything - the pastor and teacher have different skills & anointings.
Illustration
It's like the difference between a farmer and a vet:
Both look after the same animals - but at different times and frequencies.
Both are needed - but the farmer & vet have different: training, skills & methods of working.
These are Jesus’ last words before leaving earth:
Matthew 28:19-20
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
--> Someone’s last words are important.
--> Jesus wants us to know how IMPORTANT teaching is!
Further reading
Ezekiel 44:23
Matthew 5:1-2, 21:23, 26:55
Mark 2:13, 6:34, 10:1
Luke 5:17, 19:47, 21:37-38
John 3:2, 6:59, 7:14, 8:1-2 & 20, 18:20
Acts 4:18, 5:28, 18:9-11
1 Timothy 2:7
2 Timothy 2:2
9. Prophet
Q - What does a prophet do?
A - Delivers a specific word from God, to a specific people. Telling us for example:
What’s happening.
What we need to do.
What will happen in the future - so we can get ready.
A prophet:
Is like an actor speaking words written by a playwright / screenwriter.
Must not speak their own: ideas / desires - they should only speak the message which God has given them.
What’s the difference between the MINISTRY of a prophet and the GIFT of prophecy?
Acts 21:8-10
8And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea:
and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
9And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
10And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
--> Many believers - such as Philip’s four daughters - have the gift of prophecy.
--> But some believers - such as Agabus - have the ministry of a prophet.
The difference is one of specialisation:
Believers who have other key duties can have the gift of prophecy.
But if someone has the ministry of a prophet - that’s the main focus of their life, and they should devote themselves to it.
Becoming a prophet
1 Kings 19:15 a & 16 b
15And the LORD said unto him (= to Elijah) …
16… Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room (= as your successor).
--> GOD CALLED Elisha to be a prophet:
It’s the same as with other five-fold ministries - Elisha didn’t appoint himself.
Like we can’t just walk into a job - the organization has to appoint us.
For more detail - see the ‘Prophecy’ message on WholeCounselofGod.com
10. How do we prepare for any ministry?
Let's learn from how Philip became an evangelist
Acts 6:2-3 & 5
2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God, and serve tables.
3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
…
5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,
and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte (= convert) of Antioch.
--> Philip showed:
Good character.
That he was willing to serve.
What happened to Philip?
Acts 8:5 ~ Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
--> He became an evangelist in one city.
Acts 8:40 ~ But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
--> He became an evangelist in many cities.
Philip’s ministry started:
With his good character.
When he showed that he was willing to serve - in the same way that employers often hire staff on a temporary basis (to see how well they work), before offering them a permanent position.
That’s how we should all start.
Further reading
1 Timothy 1:12
11. We should be careful about criticising other Christian ministries
After all - we’re on the same side!
Luke 9:49-50
49And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
50And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
--> It’s tempting to criticize someone who's outside of OUR particular group:
But the body of Jesus is much bigger than any individual church / ministry.
We’re just a ‘few cells’ in a ‘huge body’ - and it's not our job to question why the ‘other cells’ are there, or how God is using them.
Instead - we should ENCOURAGE other churches / ministries:
We shouldn’t criticise them because we don’t like the way they do things.
We should only criticise them if they’re clearly leading people away from the key Christian beliefs.
12. We shouldn't compete with other ministries
Example of Barnabas at Antioch in Acts 11:20-26
20And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
22Then tidings of these things (= news of the church growth at Antioch) came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem:
and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
23Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave (= remain faithful) unto the Lord.
24For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
25Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul (= Paul):
26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people.
And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
--> Barnabas was in Antioch during a time of massive church growth.
--> He COULD have kept what was happening to himself - but he DIDN'T:
Barnabas invited Paul to join him.
He didn’t see Paul as a competitor - but an ally.
Barnabas taught us three lessons:
Work as a team.
Don’t just promote our own church / ministry - that would be like a single army tank going into battle on its own, to take the credit for victory!
Do what’s right for the overall Kingdom of God.
13. The five-fold ministry = God's tool-kit for building His church
If the church does NOT use the five-fold ministries of:
Apostle
Prophet
Evangelist
Pastor
Teacher
… it’s not following God’s plan, and so won’t work properly:
That would be like trying to cook / do car maintenance - but without the proper equipment.
Maybe that’s why the church in Europe is so small & weak - because it’s neglected / rejected many of the five-fold ministries.
14. The church should support all of the five-fold ministries
Many churches only financially support their pastor.
So evangelists etc. feel forced to become pastors:
This doesn’t work - because it’s not what God created them for.
They need to be evangelists - and a church which can afford to, should support evangelists etc. in the same way that it supports their pastor.
Illustration - It’s like paying taxes
Our taxes pay for some services we use regularly e.g. street-lighting & emptying our rubbish bins.
This is like supporting the pastor - because he serves us every week.
But we also pay taxes to fund services we may never use e.g. the fire brigade - but these services are still needed for the 'common good of our community’.
Supporting all of the five-fold ministries helps the 'common good of the church’ - and builds God’s overall Kingdom.
15. So let's guide the church back into God's pattern
By:
Welcoming
Experiencing
Supporting
… ALL FIVE of these ministries.
Amen