Understanding and Embracing the Fivefold Ministry
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the concept of the fivefold ministry as outlined in Ephesians 4:11-16. This passage describes the gifts Christ gave to the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These roles are designed to equip God's people for works of service, so the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in faith and maturity, attaining the full measure of Christ. The fivefold ministry is essential for a balanced and healthy church, preventing us from becoming spiritually lazy and immature.
We explored how each role contributes uniquely to the body of Christ. For instance, the apostle acts like a thumb, holding everything together and discerning times and seasons. The prophet teaches us to hear God's voice, the evangelist focuses on reaching the lost, the pastor cares for the community, and the teacher instills a love for the Scriptures. Each role brings a different perspective and strength, creating a dynamic tension that, when balanced, leads to a mature and effective church.
We also discussed the importance of honor and humility in maintaining this balance. Without these virtues, the church can become fragmented and ineffective. The fivefold ministry is not about creating a hierarchy but about serving the body of Christ to help it grow in unity and maturity. We must recognize and honor each gift, understanding that our personal preferences often indicate areas where we need to grow.
Finally, we debunked several myths about the fivefold ministry, such as the idea that apostles and prophets no longer exist today or that every church must have all five roles present. The goal is not to create a rigid structure but to recognize and cultivate these gifts within the church, allowing each member to grow and contribute to the body of Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Purpose of the Fivefold Ministry: The fivefold ministry exists to equip the saints for works of service, leading to the unity and maturity of the body of Christ. Each role—apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher—brings a unique strength that, when combined, helps the church grow into the full measure of Christ. [04:14]
2. Balancing Tension with Honor and Humility: The dynamic tension created by the different roles in the fivefold ministry can only be managed through honor and humility. Recognizing and valuing each gift prevents fragmentation and promotes a healthy, balanced church. [06:10]
3. Recognizing Personal Orientation and Growth Areas: Our personal preferences often indicate our primary orientation within the fivefold ministry. However, these preferences can also highlight areas where we need to grow. Leaning into the aspects that make us uncomfortable can lead to greater spiritual maturity. [12:41]
4. Debunking Myths About the Fivefold Ministry: Common misconceptions include the belief that apostles and prophets no longer exist or that every church must have all five roles present. Understanding the true purpose and function of the fivefold ministry helps us avoid these pitfalls and fosters a more effective church. [37:15]
5. The Role of the Fivefold in Adjusting and Equipping the Church: The fivefold ministry acts like a spiritual chiropractor, adjusting and aligning the body of Christ. This involves correcting false doctrines, actions, and sins, ensuring that the church remains healthy and balanced. [24:23]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:59] - Understanding the Fivefold Ministry
[02:03] - MMA Analogy and Church Models
[04:14] - Ephesians 4:11-16 Explained
[05:18] - Tug-of-War Rope Example
[06:10] - Honor and Humility in the Fivefold
[07:17] - Misunderstandings and Frustrations
[09:02] - Different Orientations in the Church
[10:35] - The Role of the Apostle
[12:41] - Recognizing Personal Orientation
[14:53] - Corporate vs. Personal Worship
[16:33] - Purpose of the Fivefold Ministry
[18:26] - Fivefold at a Car Accident
[22:36] - Raising Up Others in Ministry
[24:23] - Adjusting the Bones of the Body
[29:05] - Role of the Teacher
[32:08] - Reproducing After Their Kind
[33:38] - Model Christians
[35:33] - Debunking Myths
[37:15] - Apostles and Prophets Today
[38:51] - Qualifications of an Apostle
[40:25] - Paul's Apostleship
[41:56] - Age and Experience in Apostleship
[43:36] - Necessity of All Five Roles
[45:06] - Multiple Roles in One Environment
[46:32] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 4:11-16
2. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
3. 1 Timothy 1:20
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 4:11-16, what are the roles Christ gave to the church, and what is their purpose?
2. How does the analogy of the fivefold ministry as different parts of a hand help us understand their functions? ([10:35])
3. What are some of the myths about the fivefold ministry that were debunked in the sermon? ([35:33])
4. How does the fivefold ministry act like a spiritual chiropractor, according to the sermon? ([24:23])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for the church to have a balance of all five roles mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-16? How does this balance contribute to the maturity of the church?
2. How do honor and humility help manage the dynamic tension created by the different roles in the fivefold ministry? ([06:10])
3. What does it mean when the sermon says that our personal preferences can indicate areas where we need to grow? How can this understanding lead to greater spiritual maturity? ([12:41])
4. How does the fivefold ministry help in correcting false doctrines, actions, and sins within the church? ([30:35])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual gifts and preferences. Which of the fivefold ministry roles do you feel most aligned with, and why? How can you use this understanding to serve your church community better? ([12:41])
2. Think about a time when you felt tension or frustration in your church environment. How might this have been related to the different orientations within the fivefold ministry? How can you approach such situations with honor and humility? ([06:10])
3. The sermon mentioned that our aversions might indicate areas where we need to grow. Identify one area in your spiritual life where you feel uncomfortable. How can you lean into this discomfort to achieve greater spiritual maturity? ([12:41])
4. How can you actively honor and recognize the different gifts within your church community? Share a specific example of how you can show appreciation for someone else's gift this week. ([06:10])
5. The fivefold ministry aims to equip the saints for works of service. What specific actions can you take this week to contribute to the unity and maturity of your church? ([04:14])
6. How can you help debunk common myths about the fivefold ministry within your church or small group? What steps can you take to educate others about the true purpose and function of these roles? ([35:33])
7. Reflect on the analogy of the fivefold ministry as a spiritual chiropractor. Is there an area in your church that you feel needs adjustment or alignment? How can you contribute to this process in a constructive and loving manner? ([24:23])
Devotional
### Day 1: Equipping the Saints for Service
The fivefold ministry exists to equip the saints for works of service, leading to the unity and maturity of the body of Christ. Each role—apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher—brings a unique strength that, when combined, helps the church grow into the full measure of Christ. [04:14]
The fivefold ministry is a divine strategy for building up the church. Each role has a specific function that contributes to the overall health and growth of the body of Christ. Apostles provide foundational leadership and vision, prophets offer guidance and revelation, evangelists focus on outreach and spreading the gospel, pastors care for the spiritual and emotional needs of the congregation, and teachers impart biblical knowledge and wisdom. Together, these roles ensure that the church is well-rounded and equipped to fulfill its mission.
The ultimate goal of the fivefold ministry is to bring the church to a place of unity and maturity. This means that every believer is equipped to serve and contribute to the body of Christ. When each member is functioning in their God-given role, the church becomes a powerful force for good in the world, reflecting the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4:12-13 (ESV): "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you use your unique gifts to serve and build up the body of Christ today?
### Day 2: Balancing Tension with Honor and Humility
The dynamic tension created by the different roles in the fivefold ministry can only be managed through honor and humility. Recognizing and valuing each gift prevents fragmentation and promotes a healthy, balanced church. [06:10]
The fivefold ministry creates a dynamic tension within the church, as each role brings a different perspective and emphasis. This tension is not a negative thing; rather, it is a source of strength and balance. However, for this balance to be maintained, it is crucial that each role is honored and valued. Without honor and humility, the church can become fragmented and ineffective.
Honor involves recognizing the value of each role and the unique contributions they bring to the body of Christ. Humility means being willing to learn from others and acknowledging that no single role is more important than the others. When honor and humility are present, the church can function as a unified and mature body, reflecting the character of Christ.
Romans 12:10 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."
Reflection: How can you show honor and humility towards others in your church community, especially those who serve in different roles?
### Day 3: Recognizing Personal Orientation and Growth Areas
Our personal preferences often indicate our primary orientation within the fivefold ministry. However, these preferences can also highlight areas where we need to grow. Leaning into the aspects that make us uncomfortable can lead to greater spiritual maturity. [12:41]
Each of us has a natural inclination towards one of the fivefold ministry roles. This orientation often aligns with our personal preferences and strengths. However, it is important to recognize that these preferences can also reveal areas where we need to grow. For example, someone who is naturally inclined towards teaching may need to develop their pastoral or evangelistic skills.
Leaning into the aspects of ministry that make us uncomfortable can lead to greater spiritual maturity. It challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and rely more on God's strength and guidance. By embracing the full spectrum of the fivefold ministry, we can become more well-rounded and effective in our service to the body of Christ.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV): "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Reflection: What is one area of the fivefold ministry that makes you uncomfortable? How can you take a step towards growth in that area today?
### Day 4: Debunking Myths About the Fivefold Ministry
Common misconceptions include the belief that apostles and prophets no longer exist or that every church must have all five roles present. Understanding the true purpose and function of the fivefold ministry helps us avoid these pitfalls and fosters a more effective church. [37:15]
There are several myths and misconceptions about the fivefold ministry that can hinder its effectiveness. One common myth is that apostles and prophets no longer exist today. However, the Bible does not support this view. Apostles and prophets are still needed to provide foundational leadership and guidance to the church.
Another misconception is that every church must have all five roles present. While it is ideal for a church to have a balanced representation of the fivefold ministry, it is not always possible. The key is to recognize and cultivate these gifts within the church, allowing each member to grow and contribute to the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:28 (ESV): "And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues."
Reflection: Are there any misconceptions you have held about the fivefold ministry? How can you seek a deeper understanding of its purpose and function?
### Day 5: The Role of the Fivefold in Adjusting and Equipping the Church
The fivefold ministry acts like a spiritual chiropractor, adjusting and aligning the body of Christ. This involves correcting false doctrines, actions, and sins, ensuring that the church remains healthy and balanced. [24:23]
The fivefold ministry plays a crucial role in adjusting and aligning the body of Christ. Just as a chiropractor adjusts the spine to ensure proper alignment and function, the fivefold ministry corrects false doctrines, actions, and sins within the church. This ensures that the church remains healthy and balanced, able to fulfill its mission effectively.
Each role within the fivefold ministry contributes to this process of adjustment and alignment. Apostles provide foundational leadership and vision, prophets offer guidance and correction, evangelists focus on outreach and spreading the gospel, pastors care for the spiritual and emotional needs of the congregation, and teachers impart biblical knowledge and wisdom. Together, these roles ensure that the church remains on the right path and continues to grow in unity and maturity.
Titus 1:9 (ESV): "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the health and alignment of your church community? How can you help correct false doctrines, actions, or sins in a loving and humble manner?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Western culture, what is church? What's the goal of church? It's a place that's going to meet my needs. Maybe I get some community out of it. Hopefully, it's a really good service. Hopefully, the music. It was just really good. That just, you know, even at one point, just even a tear showed up. And that was, wow, right? And the message, oh, touch my heart. You know, you were speaking to me, Pastor, you know. But you get what I'm saying, right? I'm not diminishing any of that. But what we end up with sometimes is a bunch of fat, lazy Christians. So that's not what the church was supposed to be." [02:03](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We love, you know, in our own environment, in our own home, in our car, whatever. We love to worship, right? And there'll be a song that'll come on, and it will minister to us, right? It's like, oh, that's exactly the place I'm at in my life, and we relate to it. And in that place, that place of joy, that place of pain, the place of frustration, whatever it is, we're listening to that. And I so relate, and it's the place that I'm drawing on him. It's drawing me closer to him, right? But I would say that's our personal worship. One of the main differences in corporate worship is our worship is directed to him. It is for him and to him, not about us." [14:53](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You and I were created to do his work, to be his ambassadors in this earth. And God has placed every one of us in positions, in spheres, if you will, to bring the kingdom of heaven. It's going to look different through all of us. But the one thing I can say is that because of the work of the fivefold in the church, we all grow into maturity. We all grow into gifting and an ability to see and to hear and to move and to act and to bring the kingdom of heaven wherever we go. What an incredible privilege that is when we understand that." [22:36](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The goal is not to become one. The goal is to become Jesus, like Jesus, right? Growing in all that he is and, and loving and ministering the way that he did. It's just that he's given us the Holy Spirit, every one of us, right? To help us be, be more like Jesus. And he's placed some gifts and graces within the church to help as well. That's the big thing. It isn't to create some sort of hierarchy, some sort of structure. And so I think with that, when we understand that we can all just relax a little and start to recognize some things." [48:15](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Sometimes you actually need to lean into that. The thing that makes you uncomfortable, the thing that you may not like the most, you're going to have to surrender that part a little bit to say, you know what? I should probably lean into that. Maybe I need to spend some time in the quiet place, growing in that intimate relationship. Maybe sometimes I need to close the book and just be still and quiet. Doesn't mean one's better than the other, right? Maybe if, maybe if the thing that makes you the most comfortable is reaching people, maybe you need to get around some people that carry that passion so that you get part of that." [49:36](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So we need to understand what's happening so that we can learn to grow and why Jesus put it there. Last week, we were talking a little bit about MMA. And a lot of us, we don't know what that is, but we know boxing. But MMA is this style of fighting. It's quite brutal, quite honestly. But it's a mixture of a lot of different arts, if you will. And there's boxing, there's wrestling, there's judo. Judo, jiu-jitsu, all these other things I probably don't even know how to pronounce. But if you were naturally, these guys probably came from a certain fighting style. And so you have guys that used to be a boxer, and they'll come into that. And if they only know how to box, they're going to be really good at this part. But if they're fighting a guy that's really strong in something else, they're susceptible, right? And so they start to train in all the different ones. And boxing may still be their strong suit, but they've learned how to fight with the others." [00:59](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What we did is we put it into a circle, and we had five people representing the five ministries. And if one feels that they are the most important, they're going to pull the church their direction, and the church might grow that direction, and that might be a good thing, but it's going to be missing some of these other things. And so what does it look like when all five are doing their work in helping the body to grow and mature? The church becomes healthy. It's healthy and balanced and growing and mature. Each one doing its part. Now, I would say that that's been tried. It sometimes maybe takes a little more work. There's a tension. What's the thing that holds it all together in that tension? It's, I think, honor and humility." [05:18](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And so each one of these, I think, address an essential part of our identity and our purpose in the church, and they have their own focus and motivation. But without all five represented, we become a little bit unbalanced. And so Danny Silk, in his book, The Culture of Honor, he has this little demonstration. He says, here's what it would look like if the fivefold were to show up on a car accident. Here's what happens. So they show up to this scene of a car accident. The pastor is the first one out of the car. He scrambles to assess the situation. Say that three times. To assess the situation. And begins a triage, approaching, in applying first aid to injured victims. He gathers blankets, jackets, water, and anything else he can find to try to comfort them. He surveys the situation to see if anything is threatening the safety, both of those who are receiving care, and those who are receiving care. And those who have been drawn to the scene of the accident. He talks with each person to find out his or her name, their marital status, whether they have children. He gathers vital sign information and any available emergency contact information in order to help the emergency response team. He brings a sense of calm to the situation, and each person there feels a genuine feeling of care and connection to the pastor. He wonders whether he should have been a doctor." [18:26](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So what we have sometimes, again, in the body of Christ is a little bit of this tension. So we either see none of this manifest or some, but rarely, I think, do we see all of this manifest. But can you see how each part doing its work is not there just to do the work, it's raising up others to do the work of ministry. And we talk about the work of ministry, it's not just within the church. You and I were created to do his work, to be his ambassadors in this earth. And God has placed every one of us in positions, in spheres, if you will, to bring the kingdom of heaven. It's going to look different through all of us. But the one thing I can say is that because of the work of the fivefold in the church, we all grow into maturity. We all grow into gifting and an ability to see and to hear and to move and to act and to bring the kingdom of heaven wherever we go. What an incredible privilege that is when we understand that." [22:36](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The goal is not to become one. The goal is to become Jesus, like Jesus, right? Growing in all that he is and, and loving and ministering the way that he did. It's just that he's given us the Holy Spirit, every one of us, right? To help us be, be more like Jesus. And he's placed some gifts and graces within the church to help as well. That's the big thing. It isn't to create some sort of hierarchy, some sort of structure. And so I think with that, when we understand that we can all just relax a little and start to recognize some things. When you're around people and you start to see their tension and their frustration, it might help you go, oh, I know where that's coming from. It's not even coming from a bad, unhealthy place, right? And, and there, their perspective might actually be right. But just understand we, we hold all of this in attention, that there's a place and a need for all of it. And in some seasons, maybe more of one thing is needed and required. Maybe in another, it's something else, but, but hopefully you're witnessing and you're experiencing and growing from all of them over time." [48:15](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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