So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. (Eph. 4:11-12)
Since the body of Christ is still being built up, it is safe to say that the gifts Christ gave for this purpose are still in full operations today. Exercising some of the gifts and neglecting others is detrimental to the health of the body. A local church that recognizes only the ministry of the pastor and fails to recognize the roles of other equippers in their midst and allow them to function, will never mature fully.
Besides your pastor who preaches, manages the affairs of the church, there is the need for apostles who take the gospel outside the four walls of the church. There is the need for prophets who declare God’s revealed will to the congregation. There is the need for evangelists who proclaim the salvation message like no one else can do. There is the need for teachers who gently instruct and make plain the teachings of the Scripture to different age groups, gender, and even to those with learning disabilities. It takes a team of saints with the equipping gifts, working together to bring a saint to maturity.
No supper pastor, supper apostle, supper teacher, etc. can do it alone. The mystery here is that even the equippers need other equippers to equip them. We need each other to build up and grow together. Are you doing your part?
Author: Rev. Sunday Bwanhot
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is a missionary with EMS/SIM. He pastor’s ECWA Chicago, serves as ECWA USA DCC Chairman and Team leader of SIM Culture Connexions.
