Apostles extend the gospel.
Apostles ensure that the body of Christ continues to move through the transformational cycle and build the Kingdom, helping believers work through the obstacles that the enemy throws in their way. [Note the highlighted arrows]
As the “sent ones,” they ensure that the faith is transmitted from one context to another and from one generation to the next. They are always thinking about the future, bridging barriers, establishing the church in new contexts, developing leaders, and networking trans-locally.
Prophets know God’s will.
Prophets make sure that people understand what it means to know God, discern his will, obey him, tell their stories and learn through reflection. [Note the highlighted words.]
They are particularly attuned to God and his truth for today. They bring correction by challenging dominant assumptions we inherit from the surrounding culture. They insist that the community obey what God has commanded and question the status quo in both the church and in the broader culture.
Evangelists recruit.
Evangelists make sure that everyone is welcome into any stage in the cycle of transformation. [Note the open boxes.]
These infectious communicators of the gospel message recruit others to Jesus and his cause. They call for a personal response to God’s redemption in Christ, and draw believers to engage the wider mission—growing the church and its transforming influence.
Shepherds nurture and protect.
Shepherds walk alongside people particularly in the crises of hearing, faith, trust and belief, pastoring them as they walk through the transformational cycle. [Note the highlighted crises.]
As caregivers of the community, they focus on the protection and spiritual maturity of God’s flock, cultivating a loving and spiritually mature network of relationship.
Teachers understand and explain.
Teachers support disciples as they navigate the reflection portion of the transformational cycle, helping them use faith stories and Scripture to learn and grow. [Note the arrows of reflection and learning.]
Teachers are communicators of God’s truth and wisdom. They help others remain biblically grounded to better discern God’s will, guide them toward wisdom, helping the community remain faithful to Christ’s word, and constructing a transferable doctrine of faith and practice.
The Five-Fold Giftings in People & Leadership
As members of the body engage in spiritual ministry, particularly through exercising these five gifts, leadership emerges as another spiritual gift. Leadership in this sense should not be confused with organizational leadership and the exercise of corporate power, but rather with example and modeling. A leader should never stop being a disciple who is committed to knowing Jesus, hearing from him, obeying, sharing, and learning.
Inbuilt Tension in the Five-fold Ministry
Apostles
As the “sent ones,” they ensure that the faith is transmitted from one context to another and from one generation to the next. They are always thinking about the future, bridging barriers, establishing the church in new contexts, developing leaders, and networking trans-locally.
If you focus solely on initiating new ideas and rapid expansion, you can leave people and organizations wounded. The shepherding and teaching functions are needed to ensure people are cared for and developed rather than simply used.
Prophets
They are particularly attuned to God and his truth for today. They bring correction and challenge the dominant assumptions we inherit from the surrounding culture. They insist that the community obey what God has commanded. They question the status quo.
Without the other types of leaders in place, prophets can become belligerent activists or, paradoxically, disengage from the imperfection of reality and become other-worldly.
Evangelists
These infectious communicators of the gospel message recruit others to Jesus and his cause. They call for a personal response to God’s redemption in Christ, and also draw believers to engage the wider mission, growing the church and it transforming influence.
Evangelists can be so focused on reaching those outside the church that maturing and strengthening those already inside is neglected.
Shepherds
Caregivers of the community, they focus on the protection and spiritual maturity of God’s flock, cultivating a loving and spiritually mature network of relationships.
Shepherds can value stability to the detriment of the mission. They may also foster an unhealthy dependence between the church and themselves.
Teachers
Communicators of God’s truth and wisdom, they help others remain biblically grounded to better discern God’s will, guiding others toward wisdom, helping the community remain faithful to Christ’s word, and constructing a transferable doctrine of faith and practice.
Without the input of the other functions, teachers can fall into dogmatism, dry intellectualism or even heresy. They may fail to see the personal or missional aspects of the church’s ministry.
