In some ways I feel like Darren from Bewitched.
One of the exciting new frontiers being re-explored in the world of missions and ministry is that of the “five-fold ministry”. In Ephesians, the apostle Paul describes how Christ has given the church a palette of leadership that works to lead a church and the lost into the Kingdom of God. The list of “gifted leadership” Paul writes is, “apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers”. This is not a complete list – but it does set the stage for a foundation of balanced leadership within a family of faith.
I’m very interested to see how God will use this concept in the communities of faith I find myself in. What do apostles and prophets look like? (Katrina does a great job of describing prophets here.)
Pastors are almost never the leaders of a congregation – they are right in the midst of the flock, smelling keenly of sheep, and loving the tar out of anyone within the fold.
Teachers also work within the relationship matrix of the faith community, instilling a groundwork of God’s Word into the lives of the believers.
Prophets are the misunderstood, wild-eyed proclaimers of what they have seen God doing several miles ahead of the flock. They’ve tasted the “grass that is greener on the other side” and want the flock to leave the barren desert they are in and move on to better things.
Apostles are not quite as far off as prophets, but they are atop the next hill, and they usually live for the whole flock, without knowing many of the flocks specific names. They eat, sleep, drink and live missions, constantly reminding everyone of the big picture God has in store for them.
Evangelists are the go-between in some ways between the inner pastors and teachers and the outer prophets and apostles. Evangelists live in the world, mostly away from the flock. However, when a lost sheep is found, it is the evangelist who kindly introduces him the the rest of the sheep.
I think my wife is a prophet. Just a few hours of conversation with her will show you this. It is a challenge and a joy to live with someone who mourns for a church. She views everything from “God’s lenses” and feels that burning in her heart to tell others about what she has heard from the Lord. Her biggest obstacle (as with all prophets) is sharing what she hears from the Lord with others.
