”And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-12)
Within the church, there are many areas of ministry that individuals can choose to take part in according to their interests. The core framework of ministry, however, is what we refer to as the Fivefold Ministry. Each one of these five is not only a calling, but an office filled by those selected by God Himself. These offices come with much responsibility, and should also be given appropriate respect. No one of the fivefold ministries is more important than the others. The Apostle Paul lists them in his letter to the church at Ephesus. They are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Let’s unpack each one.
THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY
1. APOSTLES OVERSEE
Jesus’ original 12 disciples became apostles after His ascension into Heaven. (Judas Iscariot was replaced by Matthias after Judas betrayed Jesus, and subsequently hung himself.) As such, they were overseers of the new Christian churches and works. An apostle may start a church in an area, but will most likely establish a local pastor over the work when it is stable enough to do so. He might travel to the churches under his oversight on a regular basis, as Paul did. In modern times, an apostle is likely to stay connected to the pastors of the churches under his covering via avenues of technology such as phone calls, text messages, emails, FaceTime or Zoom calls. When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth, he listed many of his trials, tribulations and hardships including “the care of all the churches.” A true apostle thrives on seeing churches established, and the pastors and congregations under their spiritual covering working together to build the Kingdom.
“Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:28)
SIDE NOTE
My husband and I have traveled to Malaysia twice on missions trips. It was there that we met Pastor Clement. He pastored the local church, but had also started over 40 churches in other areas. Even though he pastored, he was also an apostle, overseeing all of these works. When my husband came to preach, he would fly all of his pastors in to attend the services. He was a true modern day apostle, and has since gone to be with the Lord. Those 40+ churches still thrive today because of his apostleship.
2. PROPHETS FORETELL
In the Old Testament prophets were often called “Seers” because God showed them information via dreams and visions. This remains true today. Just as in the Old Testament, prophets today reveal information that God has shown them to those it is intended for. This information could be to encourage, inform, redirect, confirm, prepare or warn. A true prophet thrives on knowing the people whose lives he speaks into are taking the information to heart and acting on it while seeking God’s Will in the process
”And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” (Numbers 12:6)
SIDE NOTE
I remember 35+ years ago when my husband first began having visions. One day he asked me, “Do you see things? “ I asked, “What kind of things?” He immediately replied, “Never mind.” He didn’t have a mentor who could instruct him in this matter, so he wrestled alone with the Lord for a few years. The Lord took him though a season of schooling where He would show him something, or reveal a bit of information, and then my husband would have to learn how to process it, and what to do with the knowledge. One day we were driving down the road. When he glanced over at the car beside us, and the Lord gave him a name. My husband followed the lady to a gas station, got out, and asked her if her name was what the Lord had given him. She affirmed that it was. He told her God loved her, and to have a nice day. In this same manner over a period of years, he learned how to trust the process, and step into the prophetic calling.
3. EVANGELISTS DECLARE
Evangelists are called to proclaim the gospel wherever they go for the purpose of seeing people born again. While this should be the focus of every minister, an evangelist will have a special anointing for this purpose. While they have a home church that they base out of, evangelists are known to travel wherever there is an open door of opportunity to preach the gospel message. Some evangelists minister predominantly within specific people groups such as children’s evangelists. A true evangelist thrives on seeing people respond to the gospel message, be born again according to Acts 2:38 and remain faithful under a pastor’s care.
”But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5)
4. PASTORS SHEPHERD
A pastor is over a local assembly of believers. Not as a dictator, but as a loving shepherd watching over his flock. Other than a parent or spouse, a pastor is the next level of spiritual authority in a person’s life. It is the pastor’s responsibility to oversee the spiritual care of each person in his assembly. He or she will feed them the Word of God regularly so they may grow in knowledge. He is called to be aware of and assist in their spiritual maturity at all times, always watching for any danger that would come upon them. A true pastor thrives by seeing the members of his flock learning and applying the Word of God in their lives, showing evidence of spiritual maturity and being content in working together to bring others into the fold.
“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.“ (Jeremiah 3:15)
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.“ (Hebrews 13:17)
5. TEACHERS INSTRUCT
Believers who are called by God to be teachers cannot get enough of His Word. They are consumed by it. A teacher will look for opportunities to explain the scriptures. A seasoned teacher has often spent time teaching all age groups. There is an unspoken respect given to preachers, but not always teachers. While both are necessary, a teacher is one of the fivefold ministries; a preacher is not. A true teacher thrives on moments when their students’ eyes light up with understanding of God’s Word.
”These things command and teach.” (1 Timothy 4:12)
PURPOSE OF THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY
1. For The Perfecting of the Saints
Our walk with God is like a journey, and we are all at different points in our pilgrimage. The fivefold ministry is in place to assist individuals in the Body of Christ to be born again, learn, grow, mature and be firmly established as productive saints in God’s Kingdom. This process is ongoing throughout our lives.
2. For the Work of the Ministry
The fivefold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers provide the foundation, structure and guidelines for all other ministries.
3. For the Edifying of the Body of Christ
The word “edify” here means to “Build Up.” Through the fivefold ministry, God has established the means whereby individuals in the Body of Christ are continually instructed, encouraged, nurtured and guided consistently.
IN SUMMARY
Much attention and acknowledgement is given to evangelists, pastors and teachers in our modern church culture. Sadly, hardly any acknowledgement is given to modern day apostles and prophets. It is often either ignored or discouraged when ministers who fill either of these two offices actually proclaim themselves to be such. This is especially true of modern day prophets.
If it is encouraged, and even applauded, when an evangelist, pastor or teacher declares their calling to these offices, it should be the same for an apostle or prophet. It is God who established these offices within the church, and He did so for the specific purposes listed above. Without all five of these offices functioning properly, the Body of Christ cannot be fully perfected, have effective ministries or be edified. We must begin to normalize the acceptance and promotion of ALL FIVE of the fivefold ministry…
“Till 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 fulness of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:13)
Warm Regards,
~Pat~