Daily Bread

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

In this passage, Paul describes what theologians later called 'the fivefold ministry' of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers (APEST).

Apostles or 'sent ones' think about the future, bridge barriers, and establish churches in new contexts.

Prophets are tuned into God, correcting and challenging culture and calling the church to obedience to Christ.

Evangelists are infectious communicators of the gospel, recruiting others, and encouraging the church to engage in mission.

Shepherds are the caregivers, focusing on the protection and spiritual maturity of the church, cultivating relationships, and making disciples.

Teachers are the communicators of God's truth and wisdom, helping the church remain biblically grounded and faithful to Christ's word.

But here's a thing. Many scholars believe ALL Christians are called to be one of the above, and that includes you! And experience has led scholars to assert that all of us have a primary and secondary role.

Personally (if you couldn't tell) I am an Evangelist/Teacher. This is my gifting, and even though I have longed to establish churches in new contexts, it's not my primary gifting. Also, even though I have found myself in the role of a 'Shepherd' (because churches tend to employ Shepherd/Teachers as their pastors) again, it is not my primary gifting.

For the church to thrive — to be built up and equipped to do God's work — we need all five, and it is important to know your own gifting. There are are lots of online tests out there to help you decide, but just by looking at them and knowing yourself (and with a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit), perhaps you can identify which one you are?

Holy God
Thank you that we are all different
and that you have gifted us each
for the purpose of building up your church.
May you continue to reveal to me
my own calling and vocation within your church,
that, together, we might be built up
to do the works you have prepared for us.
Now and forever.