You have heard it said (or at least practiced) that there is an elect sub-group of the body called the “ministers” composed of the “ministry offices” of apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd and teacher. But let’s reconsider Eph. 4:1-6 and see if a different truth emerges.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit–just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call–
one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
There are many depths to this passage, but for the purposes of this post we will only consider this point: To whom grace was given. What we see clearly is that grace was given to each one of us. Not to a select few, or a ministerial class composed of “the called,” but to every believer! Brethren this is tremendous, for it reveals that every believer is meant to walk in some measure of the apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic, shepherding or teaching grace of Christ. As well, it is through the administration of that grace that the body is built as each one minsters their respective grace to one another.
Can you see then how devestating it is when a singular grace is allowed to dominate a fellowship of believers? Can you see how it is impossible to experience corporate maturity when manifestations of the grace of Christ have been morphed into positions or “offices” of ministry that are held by the select few? Indeed, the status quo has stifled most believers in the ability to express their respective grace and the consequent corporate expression is grossly malformed.
So then how did we get into the current, erroneous paradigm? Actually, this error finds its roots in the earliest days of the faith, primarily trumpeted through Ignatius of Antioch as seen here.
The more, therefore, you see the bishop silent, the more do you reverence him. For we ought to receive every one whom the Master of the house sends to be over His household, as we would do Him that sent him. It is manifest, therefore, that we should look upon the bishop even as we would look upon the Lord Himself, standing, as he does, before the Lord. Epistle to the Ephesians 6:1
See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate a love-feast; but whatsoever he shall approve of, that is also pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be secure and valid. Epistle to the Smyrnaeans 8:1-2
This viral mentality found a perfect breeding ground in the soil of Romanism when the church entered the Constantinian Captivity, and has become the prevailant paradigm for the body of Christ. But this is a new season brethren. One in which the Father is moving us to a new corporate level wherein we begin to learn how to function with Jesus as the solitary head, and the older saints as a college of leaders who each function in a mature expression of their grace giftings as overseers and examples. It is time to take a bold step in our corporate walk and establish a new paradigm that activates and brings to maturity the grace in each one allowing Christ Jesus – the true Shepherd and Bishop of our souls (1 Pet. 2:25)- to reign as king in our midst!
“It is time to take a bold step in our corporate walk and establish a new paradigm that activates and brings to maturity the grace in each one allowing Christ Jesus — the true Shepherd and Bishop of our souls (1 Pet. 2:25)- to reign as king in our midst!”
First, a hearty “Amen!”
Second, the practical in me begins to stir. As one who has one foot in the traditional, mostly-pastor-driven church and another foot in the non-traditional everyone-ministers gathering (I use the term advisedly), I wonder how we do this. In the non-traditional gathering of which I am a part, we have done this from the beginning, so there is no paradigm shift. But in the traditional church, there is a huge paradigm shift.
Can a traditional church be transformed? If so, how? If it cannot be transformed, what then?
Laura,
Thanks for your comments and welcome!
This is difficult – migrating from one paradigm to another. There are a few schools of thought on this but I will share my personal position – which is admittedly challenging.
I believe there are two specific passages of scripture that provide a clear direction. The first being Gal. 4:30 -
Now Paul here is speaking of the Galatian believers’ return to the Law but the parallel is clear: that which is born out of a religious context will not inherit – only that which is born out of the promise. As Jesus said in John 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.”
Second is the parable of the wineskins.
We see here that Jesus is concerned for both the new and the old, both the wine and the skin. But the key is to avoid mixture, for mixture causes damage and a lack of ability to sustain or hold the new. We are in a season of reformation and a new understanding of the corporate man is emerging. I firmly believe we must seek the Lord for courge so that we will put on new garments and desire new wine – even if we must throw out our old garments and wineskins to recieve it.
I have seen several traditional churches attempt to migrate but none that have done so successfully. Ultimately it is realized that we must seek after a better country, willingly leaving behind the old with no though to return.
I hope that helps.
The traditional churches are currently being aided in their admixture of Law and Grace. The Messianic Jews, and even Messianic Gentiles, are very busy. It seems that the Church is losing her Christianity and looking back to her “Jewish Roots.” And you’re right… it is because of these “doctrines” that separate the laity from the “royalty,” that the Church is left weak and gasping for the breath of life. If they would ALLOW even the gift of prophecy (which is given to understand the Pauline mysteries) to flourish, they would HAVE sound doctrine.
Douglas,
Your response is wisdom. As a member of a both a traditional church and an alternative gathering (not sure what to call us just yet), I live betwixt the tension. At this moment, I am certain that God has called me to this particular traditional church to (frankly) help stir up some cognitive dissonance. I am also certain that God is moving me toward this new thing (whatever it may turn out to be). The paradigm shift is palpable.
Your words in this post are welcome encouragement on the journey.
[...] You have heard it said #7: The fivefold ministry: Douglas contrasts the fivefold ministry of Eph 4 with the solo senior pastorate and ponders the transition from senior pastor to plurality. [...]
Hi brother. WordPress does not seem to like your RSS, but I try to keep up.
I get the 5-fold ministry deal, but I am not seeing the connection to Ignatius’ quote. Yes, he was promoting the Bishop, but that is not the 5-fold office. So maybe you can help me fill in the blanks?
Regarding the American emphasis on the 5-fold ministry, I think the most direct historical connection would be through the Scottish minister Edward Irving. He promoted a revival of the 5-fold ministry that moved through the early American revival movements (late 1800′s), and into the Pentecostal theology of the early 1900′s through Charles Parham. I discuss some of this history in my book, “Promise Of The Father: Healing The Christian Legacy Of Segregation And Denominationalism”
http://www.morethancake.org/my-books
Anyway, I am interested to read your thoughts.