THE BODY
Video “Office Space.”
This of course is making fun of the idea of silly requirements businesses use to create uniqueness and a special identity. In fact, the Urban Dictionary actually has a definition of Chotchkie: A small piece of worthless garbage, a decorative knick knack with little or no purpose. The reason I played it is because there’s an underlying theme here. This restaurant called Chotchkies wants to differentiate itself, because people can get a burger anywhere. And this manager thinks that flair, that is, surface displays of enthusiasm, is the thing that makes Chotchkies special.
It made me think about the chotchkies we have in our church, things we consider necessary or unique or attractive to people, and it’s possible some of these things Father thinks are of little or no purpose. I suggest that maybe we ought to rethink the way we do church, or the way we view church, or the way we might value things Father doesn’t value. Are our ideas and programs and idiosyncrasies in line with Father’s ideas? Do we do things because that’s what we do, or because they are actually fitting offerings to the Creator of the universe?
I’m glad David spoke about seasons last week. We didn’t discuss any details about what he would be talking about, but it leads nicely into what I want to share with you. Holy Spirit must have arranged it.
C3 church is entering a new season. Many of you probably have sensed it. Father is in the business of new. He is always creating, forming, invigorating. He is always breathing His life into situations, relationships, churches, and circumstances. He speaks, and life just springs up.
This is the ministry of Holy Spirit, who moves with Father’s breath in refreshing, empowering, life changing ways. A touch of this wind can change hearts, churches, regions, and countries. With but a breath.
Remember when Jesus breathed on the disciples? Jn. 20:22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
We need Him to breathe on us with Holy Spirit infilling. He is the world changing breath of Father. Receive the Holy Spirit! Wherever the Holy Spirit blows, the hopeless, stale, death ridden places receive life, become fruitful, and flow with newness. His creative Spirit, His life, His breath that changes death to life, it changes EVERYTHING! Nothing remains untouched. Even our chotchkies.
If you have called upon the name of Jesus and are saved, you are walking in newness of life, washed clean by the blood, marked with a seal, set apart, and seated in heavenly places with Father. Holy Spirit lives within you.
The Greek word for Spirit is pneuma, which means breath, spirit, wind, or life. Pneuma, as in pneumatic. A pneumatic tool is something that is operated by pressurized air.
Say this with me: I am… an air-powered device.
That’s why Paul tells us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. An air powered device must have enough pressure, enough volume. A tire needs to be filled. Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit is the Change Agent. He transforms people, His Church, even nations. He brings forth the new things Father wants. He is everywhere, but He wants to increase in His people. Sometimes He pours out blessings or brings correction; sometimes He speaks through a person or a circumstance. Sometimes He shakes things.
Holy Spirit always changes things. And, I think we are entering this kind of season of change as a part of His family.
SO, WHAT’S NEW?
I know that many of you are sensing this shift, or shaking, a changing tide, a new wind. The seasons are changing. Holy Spirit is bringing new things, new understandings, new ministries, new ways of doing Kingdom work. Are you hearing what the Spirit is saying to the church in this season?
Da. 2:21 He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
I like this Scripture because it draws a parallel with the natural procession of seasons to human events, the rise and fall of kings. That is, like the natural seasons, which are established by Father, He also establishes and takes down kings. The Creator and Sustainer of the natural processes of the universe rested on the 7th day, but He did not take a permanent vacation. He is heavily involved in the affairs of men.
This scripture also says He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. In this season, are you open to His wisdom? What is your discernment? Will your ears be open? I hope so, because I really believe in this new time our response is important.
We need to discern what is happening in our own lives, so as to keep in step with the Spirit. This is also true as well in our marriages, our business dealings, and our workplaces.
We need to discern the seasons in the Kingdom. You have a place in the Kingdom, which happens to be expressed right here among the brethren. You might think you’re not much, but actually, you’re crucial. This family needs you to operate in your spiritual gifts, we need your anointing, your strength and wisdom, and your service.
Some of you are already stepping up, thank you! Some of you are diving in and saying, “This is my place.” Now is the time take ownership of what Father is calling you to. Stake your claim. Set up the boundary markers. Draw a line in the sand. Are you all in with Father?
Jesus has saved you for a purpose, a destiny, a journey of faith. I think that all this needs to be expressed here at C3, according to the apportionment of grace you have received. Father has put in you an apportionment of grace. Ep. 4:7 …to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
It’s interesting that grace is apportioned. That Greek word is metron, which means “a measure”, something used to determine what is the proper or fair amount. In other words, Christ has given you exactly the correct amount of grace. I define grace as the empowering presence of Holy Spirit to do what you’re called to do and to be what you’re called to be. It’s always enough, it’s always the right amount, it’s always exactly what you need for doing your kingdom job.
If you have a high calling, your apportionment of grace is higher. But of course, what Father considers a high calling is often different than what we might think. I’ve too often judged by human standards. Why does, say, Steve Furtick get a great big ministry, but C3 is smaller? Is our grace apportioned smaller? But wait. Is it possible my apportionment of grace is greater than Steve Furtick for what I am called to do by Father? Maybe we have a greater apportionment of grace for exactly what we are called to do and be in this place.
The kingdom economy is so different. And we are all called to certain positions within it, according to the apportionment of His grace. This may involve a change in the ways we act, the ways our relationships express themselves, even the ways we think about things. Our chotchkies.
These may seem like subtle differences. But actually, we’re talking about a geologic event a seismic shift. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken.
It means in this season that things must be brought into order. Individually, in our families, friendships; these things must be brought into order.
Video “Office Space.”
This of course is making fun of the idea of silly requirements businesses use to create uniqueness and a special identity. In fact, the Urban Dictionary actually has a definition of Chotchkie: A small piece of worthless garbage, a decorative knick knack with little or no purpose. The reason I played it is because there’s an underlying theme here. This restaurant called Chotchkies wants to differentiate itself, because people can get a burger anywhere. And this manager thinks that flair, that is, surface displays of enthusiasm, is the thing that makes Chotchkies special.
It made me think about the chotchkies we have in our church, things we consider necessary or unique or attractive to people, and it’s possible some of these things Father thinks are of little or no purpose. I suggest that maybe we ought to rethink the way we do church, or the way we view church, or the way we might value things Father doesn’t value. Are our ideas and programs and idiosyncrasies in line with Father’s ideas? Do we do things because that’s what we do, or because they are actually fitting offerings to the Creator of the universe?
I’m glad David spoke about seasons last week. We didn’t discuss any details about what he would be talking about, but it leads nicely into what I want to share with you. Holy Spirit must have arranged it.
C3 church is entering a new season. Many of you probably have sensed it. Father is in the business of new. He is always creating, forming, invigorating. He is always breathing His life into situations, relationships, churches, and circumstances. He speaks, and life just springs up.
This is the ministry of Holy Spirit, who moves with Father’s breath in refreshing, empowering, life changing ways. A touch of this wind can change hearts, churches, regions, and countries. With but a breath.
Remember when Jesus breathed on the disciples? Jn. 20:22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
We need Him to breathe on us with Holy Spirit infilling. He is the world changing breath of Father. Receive the Holy Spirit! Wherever the Holy Spirit blows, the hopeless, stale, death ridden places receive life, become fruitful, and flow with newness. His creative Spirit, His life, His breath that changes death to life, it changes EVERYTHING! Nothing remains untouched. Even our chotchkies.
If you have called upon the name of Jesus and are saved, you are walking in newness of life, washed clean by the blood, marked with a seal, set apart, and seated in heavenly places with Father. Holy Spirit lives within you.
The Greek word for Spirit is pneuma, which means breath, spirit, wind, or life. Pneuma, as in pneumatic. A pneumatic tool is something that is operated by pressurized air.
Say this with me: I am… an air-powered device.
That’s why Paul tells us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. An air powered device must have enough pressure, enough volume. A tire needs to be filled. Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit is the Change Agent. He transforms people, His Church, even nations. He brings forth the new things Father wants. He is everywhere, but He wants to increase in His people. Sometimes He pours out blessings or brings correction; sometimes He speaks through a person or a circumstance. Sometimes He shakes things.
Holy Spirit always changes things. And, I think we are entering this kind of season of change as a part of His family.
SO, WHAT’S NEW?
I know that many of you are sensing this shift, or shaking, a changing tide, a new wind. The seasons are changing. Holy Spirit is bringing new things, new understandings, new ministries, new ways of doing Kingdom work. Are you hearing what the Spirit is saying to the church in this season?
Da. 2:21 He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
I like this Scripture because it draws a parallel with the natural procession of seasons to human events, the rise and fall of kings. That is, like the natural seasons, which are established by Father, He also establishes and takes down kings. The Creator and Sustainer of the natural processes of the universe rested on the 7th day, but He did not take a permanent vacation. He is heavily involved in the affairs of men.
This scripture also says He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. In this season, are you open to His wisdom? What is your discernment? Will your ears be open? I hope so, because I really believe in this new time our response is important.
We need to discern what is happening in our own lives, so as to keep in step with the Spirit. This is also true as well in our marriages, our business dealings, and our workplaces.
We need to discern the seasons in the Kingdom. You have a place in the Kingdom, which happens to be expressed right here among the brethren. You might think you’re not much, but actually, you’re crucial. This family needs you to operate in your spiritual gifts, we need your anointing, your strength and wisdom, and your service.
Some of you are already stepping up, thank you! Some of you are diving in and saying, “This is my place.” Now is the time take ownership of what Father is calling you to. Stake your claim. Set up the boundary markers. Draw a line in the sand. Are you all in with Father?
Jesus has saved you for a purpose, a destiny, a journey of faith. I think that all this needs to be expressed here at C3, according to the apportionment of grace you have received. Father has put in you an apportionment of grace. Ep. 4:7 …to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
It’s interesting that grace is apportioned. That Greek word is metron, which means “a measure”, something used to determine what is the proper or fair amount. In other words, Christ has given you exactly the correct amount of grace. I define grace as the empowering presence of Holy Spirit to do what you’re called to do and to be what you’re called to be. It’s always enough, it’s always the right amount, it’s always exactly what you need for doing your kingdom job.
If you have a high calling, your apportionment of grace is higher. But of course, what Father considers a high calling is often different than what we might think. I’ve too often judged by human standards. Why does, say, Steve Furtick get a great big ministry, but C3 is smaller? Is our grace apportioned smaller? But wait. Is it possible my apportionment of grace is greater than Steve Furtick for what I am called to do by Father? Maybe we have a greater apportionment of grace for exactly what we are called to do and be in this place.
The kingdom economy is so different. And we are all called to certain positions within it, according to the apportionment of His grace. This may involve a change in the ways we act, the ways our relationships express themselves, even the ways we think about things. Our chotchkies.
- Before, church was where you went. Now, church is who Father wants you to be.
- Before, worship was what you sang. Now, worship is your life offering.
- Before, serving was something you needed to do. Now, serving speaks of what Father has placed in you.
- Before, you studied your Bible to learn, and prayed to ask for solutions. Now, you study your Bible and pray to apprehend the very heart of Father.
- Before, you shared your faith so people wouldn’t go to hell. Now, you share your faith to fulfill Father’s desire.
These may seem like subtle differences. But actually, we’re talking about a geologic event a seismic shift. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken.
It means in this season that things must be brought into order. Individually, in our families, friendships; these things must be brought into order.
You may be hanging on to some sort of sin and need to repent.
You may have an authority in some area but have been afraid to exercise it.
You may have an authority in some area but have been afraid to exercise it.
You might not have forgiven someone.
Father may have placed a ministry idea in your heart, but you’ve done nothing with it.
You may be waiting for someone to personally ask you to serve.
Say this with me: I think it’s time for me… to get serious about the Kingdom.
It’s not just individual change. C3 needs to change so as to more effectively minister in all the areas it’s called. This may involve simple changes, or it may be macro changes in our paradigms and preconceptions, where we suddenly catch a vision that lights us up. Sometimes seemingly little things turn out to be big.
In addition, we might be persisting in understandings and traditions that are flawed and not Father’s heart. We may be doing our chotchkies simply because that’s the way we’ve always seen them done. We might be resisting change because change is sometimes risky and difficult.
Our vision might be too low! As we lift our vision higher, we will become more fixed on what Father is concerned about. Col. 3:1-2 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
It’s a different way of thinking, this kingdom mindset.
This may represent a level of change in your life that you’ve never experienced before and you might think you’re not ready for it. Let me assure you, however, you cannot be more ready, if Father chooses to bring it. His timing is always perfect.
That’s my setup. Now let’s look at today’s topic, the Body of Christ and the five-fold ministry. Let’s start with the five-fold ministries.
THE FIVE FOLD MINISTRIES
This is a big topic, and I’m only going to manage to scratch the surface. Perhaps sometime we will be able to get deeper into it.
The five-fold ministries is a plurality. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. These five combine and cooperate and operate in concert to raise people up in faith and maturity. They are mature of faith, given to service, they care about the health of the Body of Christ, and they are recognized for their anointing. They are not young in the faith, and they have a track history of Christ-likeness, spiritual fruit, and a stability and trustworthiness that comes from years of humble service. They are the pillars of the church.
They carry a broad authority that even seems to be noticed in a variety of churches or even denominations. Some have suggested that they are authorities over a region, city, or other geographic area, while others believe that the five-fold ministries are itinerant, moving from place to place to help various churches or speak to the spiritual leaders of cities or denominations. Still others believe that these ministries are or ought to be in every church, perhaps resident in the elders.
I would suggest that these all are true. Some manifest in regional or even world-wide authority, some minister place to place, and yes, each local church body ought to have the five-fold ministries in operation in its leadership.
They would be the general spiritual authority over the church family, but not like a board of directors. In my view, there is no such thing as a singular church CEO. The five-fold ministries are not some sort of super believers. I don’t want them to be on a pedestal.
All of them ought to be present in the church. That is, we cannot have a pastor and evangelist and call it good. We should cultivate and embrace all the offices of the five-fold ministry for C3. This is not to say we should be completely autonomous, of course. We all have benefited and should continue to benefit from people and ministries outside our church, whether it be podcasts, the books we read, guest speakers, or going to a conference. That’s all good. What I am saying is that we are digging our own well, and we need it to be deep enough to have sufficient water that all of us might drink. We need to tap into and develop what Father has provided for us right here.
Take a look around. There is a lot of untapped potential right in this room. Some of us might not even know what Father has placed within us. We as a church family need to cultivate and provide space for all the people to pursue what Father has called us to. That’s what Paul is talking about:
Ep. 4: 11-16: It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Clearly Paul is addressing direct ministry to people to prepare God’s people, which suggests local activity. And Paul is not talking about two sides, ministers and learners. The five-fold ministries are working together with each other in the midst of the people, to raise up these very same things in the lives of others. They are training the people to take their place in the Body and embrace their own calling and anointing. Their function is to build up the body into mature and powerful men and women of faith as Father joins us all together into an inseparably connected organism. Notice that Paul writes,
“…so that the body of Christ may be built up…” Who is being built up? “…we will in all things grow up…” Who is growing up? into him who is the Head…” Where are we growing?
We. Everyone. In everything. Nothing and no one excluded. And according to Paul, our spiritual growth takes us deeply into Jesus. This is the Body of Christ, woven into a seamless garment, with everyone called to obedience, blessed with grace, and worshiping the Holy and Awesome God.
“… until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” See anyone excluded here? If the equation is right, the whole body becomes a powerful, mature, insightful, unstoppable entity.
“…to prepare God’s people for works of service… as each part does its work.” If you’ve really been changed, it will show in your behavior.
So the role of the five-fold ministries is to work within the Body to
I’m trying to help you imagine a gathering of people, each contributing to the proceedings according to their gifts, while at the same time being nurtured and encouraged and guided by the five fold ministries. Honestly, I think it would look more like a potluck or a press conference than a college lecture.
Say this with me: I have never been called… to spend my life… being a receiver of ministry.
This may seem like extreme stuff to some of you. Please know, I’m not saying that C3 is needs to leap head first into crazytown. I’m just here to crack open the door and give you a peek into a different way of thinking about church. Are you willing to trust Father to take us where he wants?
Perhaps some of us might not have thought much about this, or maybe we have a flawed understanding of what these ministries are and how they operate. Unfortunately, this has led to some degree of error, abuse, damage, and injury. I certainly won’t claim that I have a perfect understanding myself, but what I do know I want to share with you. I think it’s going to grow in importance over the next months and years.
APOSTLES BUILD
When we think of apostles, we probably think of the original 12. They were hand picked by Jesus, and most all of them were from the lower classes of society. We read of their weaknesses, their struggles to believe and understand, as well as their victories and breakthroughs.
Say this with me: I think it’s time for me… to get serious about the Kingdom.
It’s not just individual change. C3 needs to change so as to more effectively minister in all the areas it’s called. This may involve simple changes, or it may be macro changes in our paradigms and preconceptions, where we suddenly catch a vision that lights us up. Sometimes seemingly little things turn out to be big.
In addition, we might be persisting in understandings and traditions that are flawed and not Father’s heart. We may be doing our chotchkies simply because that’s the way we’ve always seen them done. We might be resisting change because change is sometimes risky and difficult.
Our vision might be too low! As we lift our vision higher, we will become more fixed on what Father is concerned about. Col. 3:1-2 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
It’s a different way of thinking, this kingdom mindset.
- We as individuals must fit into a structure and authority that conforms to Kingdom principles and Father’s heart.
- Our families must fit into a structure and authority that conforms to Kingdom principles and Father’s heart.
- The church must fit into a structure and authority that that conforms to Kingdom principles and Father’s heart.
This may represent a level of change in your life that you’ve never experienced before and you might think you’re not ready for it. Let me assure you, however, you cannot be more ready, if Father chooses to bring it. His timing is always perfect.
That’s my setup. Now let’s look at today’s topic, the Body of Christ and the five-fold ministry. Let’s start with the five-fold ministries.
THE FIVE FOLD MINISTRIES
This is a big topic, and I’m only going to manage to scratch the surface. Perhaps sometime we will be able to get deeper into it.
The five-fold ministries is a plurality. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. These five combine and cooperate and operate in concert to raise people up in faith and maturity. They are mature of faith, given to service, they care about the health of the Body of Christ, and they are recognized for their anointing. They are not young in the faith, and they have a track history of Christ-likeness, spiritual fruit, and a stability and trustworthiness that comes from years of humble service. They are the pillars of the church.
They carry a broad authority that even seems to be noticed in a variety of churches or even denominations. Some have suggested that they are authorities over a region, city, or other geographic area, while others believe that the five-fold ministries are itinerant, moving from place to place to help various churches or speak to the spiritual leaders of cities or denominations. Still others believe that these ministries are or ought to be in every church, perhaps resident in the elders.
I would suggest that these all are true. Some manifest in regional or even world-wide authority, some minister place to place, and yes, each local church body ought to have the five-fold ministries in operation in its leadership.
They would be the general spiritual authority over the church family, but not like a board of directors. In my view, there is no such thing as a singular church CEO. The five-fold ministries are not some sort of super believers. I don’t want them to be on a pedestal.
All of them ought to be present in the church. That is, we cannot have a pastor and evangelist and call it good. We should cultivate and embrace all the offices of the five-fold ministry for C3. This is not to say we should be completely autonomous, of course. We all have benefited and should continue to benefit from people and ministries outside our church, whether it be podcasts, the books we read, guest speakers, or going to a conference. That’s all good. What I am saying is that we are digging our own well, and we need it to be deep enough to have sufficient water that all of us might drink. We need to tap into and develop what Father has provided for us right here.
Take a look around. There is a lot of untapped potential right in this room. Some of us might not even know what Father has placed within us. We as a church family need to cultivate and provide space for all the people to pursue what Father has called us to. That’s what Paul is talking about:
Ep. 4: 11-16: It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Clearly Paul is addressing direct ministry to people to prepare God’s people, which suggests local activity. And Paul is not talking about two sides, ministers and learners. The five-fold ministries are working together with each other in the midst of the people, to raise up these very same things in the lives of others. They are training the people to take their place in the Body and embrace their own calling and anointing. Their function is to build up the body into mature and powerful men and women of faith as Father joins us all together into an inseparably connected organism. Notice that Paul writes,
“…so that the body of Christ may be built up…” Who is being built up? “…we will in all things grow up…” Who is growing up? into him who is the Head…” Where are we growing?
We. Everyone. In everything. Nothing and no one excluded. And according to Paul, our spiritual growth takes us deeply into Jesus. This is the Body of Christ, woven into a seamless garment, with everyone called to obedience, blessed with grace, and worshiping the Holy and Awesome God.
“… until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” See anyone excluded here? If the equation is right, the whole body becomes a powerful, mature, insightful, unstoppable entity.
“…to prepare God’s people for works of service… as each part does its work.” If you’ve really been changed, it will show in your behavior.
So the role of the five-fold ministries is to work within the Body to
- Grow us together
- Grow us in maturity
- Grow us in fullness
- Grow us in service
I’m trying to help you imagine a gathering of people, each contributing to the proceedings according to their gifts, while at the same time being nurtured and encouraged and guided by the five fold ministries. Honestly, I think it would look more like a potluck or a press conference than a college lecture.
Say this with me: I have never been called… to spend my life… being a receiver of ministry.
This may seem like extreme stuff to some of you. Please know, I’m not saying that C3 is needs to leap head first into crazytown. I’m just here to crack open the door and give you a peek into a different way of thinking about church. Are you willing to trust Father to take us where he wants?
Perhaps some of us might not have thought much about this, or maybe we have a flawed understanding of what these ministries are and how they operate. Unfortunately, this has led to some degree of error, abuse, damage, and injury. I certainly won’t claim that I have a perfect understanding myself, but what I do know I want to share with you. I think it’s going to grow in importance over the next months and years.
APOSTLES BUILD
When we think of apostles, we probably think of the original 12. They were hand picked by Jesus, and most all of them were from the lower classes of society. We read of their weaknesses, their struggles to believe and understand, as well as their victories and breakthroughs.
We might reasonably wonder why Jesus picked these losers.
After Jesus was crucified, we find in Acts 1:21-22 that Peter wants the remaining 11 to choose a replacement for Judas the betrayer. They established their search parameters:
to have been with the apostles “…the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us…”
and the candidates must become “…a witness with us of his resurrection.”
This makes total sense. Select someone who you know and trust, someone who has been stable, faithful, and committed. They chose Matthias. But for some reason, he is never mentioned again. He may have been a great apostle, or he may have been the wrong choice. We just don’t know. But he was an apostle, #13.
As I think about it, those apostles were a unique category, since at some point they and their contemporaries would pass on, which would mean no one else could have been with them the whole time. So it makes sense to me that there must be more than one kind of apostle. I think Scripture shows this.
For example, Paul. He was an apostle of the highest order, yet he is clearly another kind of apostle. He was not chosen according to the apostles’ criteria. He was not with the apostles the whole time. Perhaps this is why his apostleship was continually questioned. We read in several places where Paul defends his apostleship, which suggests to me that because he wasn’t chosen by the originals, and because his ministry was to the gentiles, he was not universally accepted.
I guess even the first century church had preconceptions and traditions that caused them problems.
Paul describes himself this way: 1Co. 9:1-2 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
Paul was a different kind of apostle, perhaps even the greatest. In fact, he seems to embody all the offices, apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher, doesn’t he? If you’re counting, Paul is #14.
There were other apostles as well. Three men, Barnabas, Andronicus, and Junias are specifically mentioned as apostles. Others possibly include Stephen, Titus and Timothy, although they aren’t identified as such. And there must have been more as the church grew across Asia and into the Roman world. So if you’re counting, seventeen men are specifically identified as apostles, and several more can be inferred to be apostles.
Are there apostles just like these in the church today, with the same authority and power? There is a stream of thought out there that the apostolic ministry of the first century is being recovered in our time. This could be, I don’t really know. Actually, I don’t think it is necessary that the ministry of today’s apostles be exactly like the originals, since we have already noted biblically that there were other kinds.
And we know from our discussion of Ephesians 4:11-16 that Father has appointed apostles as one of the five-fold ministries, so we would have to have apostles today. What sort of apostle would that be? The word apostle means “sent one.” Apostles are those who are sent out. A good term we would use today is “ambassador.” That is, a person who is specifically chosen and sent forth to represent a government or king.
There are a variety of people who walk into C3, and because of their anointing, faith, hearts of service, and spiritual fruit, come to be recognized as sent ones. They bear Father’s message. They might not even consider themselves apostles. People who have been sent to us by Father are ministering in our midst right now, with a strong faith and mature outlook that is impacting us. They may just be average people. They may be deacons or elders. Some may be on their way here over the next weeks and months. They are part of us.
Say this with me: Father, help us… to see the sent ones.
We might never know if someone is an apostle or other part of the five-fold ministries. They aren’t self-promoters. A humble attitude would certainly be appropriate for anyone who thought himself to be an apostle, or any kind of church leader for that matter. Yet sometimes church leaders, pastors in particular, get caught up in the adoration, hype, and trappings of their position. Please note I am not talking about Pastor Brand or anyone else in our leadership. I am making a general observation about human nature and what can be an all-to-common problem in the church.
We will see later on that this trap exists in part because I think our churches are structured incorrectly.
So I believe we should have apostles today. There are apostles today. In fact, C3 church has or should have apostles. They are “sent ones,” sent to us, called in by Father to help us all to advance in the faith and cause us to mature.
Lastly in the category of apostles is, we are all to some degree apostles. 1Pe. 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
We are commissioned by an authority to bear an authoritative message. That’s a sent one. An ambassador. Do we not go out and operate in the name of one who occupies a high office? That’s a sent one. Father wants us to minister to the orphan and the widow, and to comfort the poor and the afflicted. Father wants the gospel of the Kingdom to be spoken to the ends of the earth. That’s an ambassador.
Are we not all called to build up the people, to be a part of the body of Christ as members of the House of the Lord, to speak edifying words of life? Apostles build. We need apostles.
Say this with me: If I’m sent… I want to know where I’m going.
That’s where the prophetic office enters.
PROPHETS IMPART
The last time I spoke I explained the role of the prophetic gift in the church, so I won’t spend too much time on that today.
Although there are some who would disagree, I believe NT prophecy is different than that of the OT. OT prophets spoke and recorded the direct words of God. They were held to an exacting standard. 100% accuracy. If they failed to do that, they were to be put to death.
The nature of NT prophecy is different. First, the word is judged and discerned by all of us in the congregation. 1Co. 14:29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
Second, we do not put prophets to death when they make a mistake, we ignore them. 1Co. 14:37-38 If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
Third, whereas OT prophecy frequently spoke to kings or nations, revealed secrets, or spoke of the future and about judgment, NT prophecy must to be edifying and encouraging as it operates in the gathering, 1Co. 14:3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
Some prophecy is real, and some is false. 1Jn. 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
False prophets are just as bad as false teachers. 2Pe. 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.
The gift of prophecy is to be sought after: 1Co. 14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
The gift of prophecy in the body is one of encouragement and building up. It’s a ministry of
This is the general prophetic gift in the church, available to everyone in greater or lesser degree. It’s a crucial part of the operation of the local church body.
Say this with me: I like the idea… of being encouraged… and being an encourager.
In my opinion, the prophetic office as part of the five-fold ministries is not the same thing as the gift of prophecy. The prophetic office tends towards deeper, broader, more insightful revelation that can apply to bodies of people as well as individuals. The prophet’s apportionment of grace seems to be greater. It imparts. It speaks destiny and purpose and identity. I would say that it is not specifically a prophetic gifting so much as it is an authority and depth in the prophetic.
Paul hints at the broader scope of this office in 1Co. 14:6: Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
That is, what good is it if Paul enters their midst without ministering to the people in a valuable way? The prophet as part of the five-fold ministry brings that value.
We catch hints of the prophetic office sprinkled around in the Bible:
1Co. 14:32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. The prophetic office operates in oversight to other prophets
Re. 19:10b For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. There is a basic Jesus nature to prophecy, a spiritual nature, and it’s connected to the evangelistic ministry
1Ti. 1:18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight… there is a “feet to the fire” aspect to prophecy that keep younger ones on track
1Ti. 4:14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. there is an impartation aspect to the prophetic office.
We see in these Scriptures the broader scope of the prophetic office. The prophetic office imparts. The prophet speaks the word of Father over people. The prophet speaks of Father’s heart, with words of destiny, purpose, and vision.
We need prophets to impart to the church.
EVANGELISTS GATHER
There are only three mentions of evangelists in the NT, and but a single mention of pastor, while there are dozens of references to apostles, teachers, and prophets. It’s noteworthy that we are able to rightly discern the crucial role that evangelism plays in the church despite its rare mention, yet we seem to get the pastor part, also rarely mentioned, so wrong. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
When we think of evangelists, we probably think of people like Billy Graham, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, Charles Finney, and Dwight Moody. As with all the offices of the five fold ministry, there is a general expression of the gift that operates in the church, and then there is the evangelist office, which seems to be higher in power and anointing. It’s like sharing your faith on steroids.
Evangelists are consumed with gathering. They want to gather the harvest, bring people to faith, and then turn them over to the other offices for discipling, teaching, and fathering. Their words seem to carry Holy Spirit power to speak to hearts. When the evangelist calls for repentance, people repent. When he calls to get saved, people get saved.
Evangelists gather.
Peter spoke the first evangelistic message in Acts chapter two. After the tongues of fire descended upon the 120 in the upper room, Peter came out with boldness. When he preached, Ac. 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Paul evangelized. For example, he made his famous defense before the philosophers in Athens, saying Ac. 17:23 Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
In Acts 8, Philip evangelized. He went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed Christ, and did signs and wonders there. A few verses later, Philip witnessed to an Ethiopian eunuch, then teleported away. I’d like that spiritual gift.
It was Peter and John who were jailed for preaching in Acts 4. This is the ministry of the evangelist, to boldly proclaim the truths of Father to the lost.
As with the other offices, the evangelist seems to have a recognition in various churches and denominations. Those who are doing the heavy lifting in the kingdom seem to be able to transcend denominational and even doctrinal barriers, probably in part because there is no denying that people are getting saved.
And once again, we are all called to evangelism. Isn’t it interesting that each of the offices of the five-fold ministry also play out to some degree in the people?
Our word for this year is “harvest.” Harvest means to reap and gather the crop. There is a crop out there right before your eyes that is ready to harvest. I hope you’re praying in this harvest, that it occupies your thoughts and is in the forefront of your ministry.
Jn. 4:35 I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
Say this with me: I want to be a gatherer... and not a scatterer.
We need evangelists gathering in the church.
PASTORS FATHER
I would suggest that the single office most misunderstood in the church today is the pastor. We have a conception that the pastor is at the top of the food chain in the local church, he’s the leader, the buck stops here, and he’s expected to do all of the things that need to be done in the church.
None of that is true.
I think this misconception is why we so often see pastors fall, why we see them burn out, and why we see their ministries get bogged down or off track. And it’s also why we see uninvolved, ambivalent congregations. In my opinion, it’s not only because we have a wrong view of the pastorate, pastors themselves have a wrong view.
The average pastor lasts 3.6 years in a church. 90% report they are fatigued as a normal state. 57% say they would leave ministry if they had a better opportunity outside the church. 77% percent said their marriage was struggling, and 38% were either divorced or in the process. Only 33% of pastors read the Bible apart from preparing for Sunday sermon. 70% constantly fight depression.
I think this, in part, is the result of decades, if not centuries, of bad doctrine regarding pastors. Thankfully, Brand has been able to get free of much of this, but as you know, he and Josie are on sabbatical right at this moment. They need rest from the obligations and pressures, not only for what they placed on themselves, but from what we’ve placed on them via expectations, complaints, well-intentioned suggestions, and our own inaction.
Do you remember how many times Brand asked for help on behalf of Josie for children’s church? Do you know how hard it is to find people to volunteer for things like the prayer team, the food pantry, or for cleaning the church? Do you know how often just a handful of people show up for projects? And, despite many mentions of our connect groups, they are poorly attended?
I’m not saying any of this to condemn you. Please, don’t misunderstand. It simply means we are part of a system of understanding, our chotchkies, that color our expectations of how church is done. My purpose is to elevate the Body. I want you to see a greater vision of what it means to be the body of Christ. How important you are to the kingdom and to this church. It requires a change in understanding in all of us, and a more accurate discerning of how the body is supposed to work. 1Co. 12:4-6,17 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good... 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
We are all in this together. We all have a job to do, we all have a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. Do you understand that your work in the church, whether it’s playing on the worship team or scrubbing toilets in our five bathrooms, is a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good? He’s called us to a place just as he wanted them to be, but we want to rearrange and reinterpret and revise this to suit our tastes.
So if we want to be right where Father is taking us, we need to change as individuals. And C3 needs to become a fully functioning, leave no one behind, get the job done church. We can only do that by means of Holy Spirit.
We are an elder led church, which means the elders are responsible for the spiritual condition and spiritual direction of the church. Clearly this means that we elders have not done well enough. We need to change as well. We have deacons, and it’s their job to make sure this church functions in its ministries. Their service has to be borne of the Spirit as much as any elder. The deacons need to change. That’s why I say Father is always is doing a new thing. This new thing coming down the pike represents a shift in attitudes, actions, and even our ways of life.
Now let me explain what a pastor really is. A pastor is a shepherd who cares for the flock. In the NT, everything you read about shepherds, overseers, and pastors apply to the elders. That is, the elders are pastors, overseers and shepherds, and the pastors are elders, overseers and shepherds. 1Pe. 5:1-3 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow-elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
They tenderly watch over the flock. They are fathers. Oh how we need fathers! They must be mature, wise, experienced, and have walked the road of faith for a long time. They must love the people under their care, and carefully guard them. And notice that Peter wants them to set themselves as examples.
Say this with me: I want to be… like my elders.
I tremble inside that anyone would want to be like me. It’s sobering, and a little intimidating.
I said there needs to be a plurality of leadership, but I also need to say that among the group of elders, or any leadership group, there are those who seem to rise above, who take on greater responsibility because they provide key leadership and do highly honorable duties. 1Tim. 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
I would call them first among equals. In a church that is properly ordered, we will have gifted people in public visible positions, yet avoid elevating them into super-ministers. Others are perhaps less presentable, but they would be valued as well. But there is always a plurality of leadership. This is not a democracy, a dictatorship, or a commune. It is a body, a family that is aware of how it fits together.
In the NT, we don’t see apostles and assistant apostles, or pastors and assistant pastors, or evangelists and assistant evangelists. Peter was obviously a leader with high authority. And we know the power of Paul’s ministry, yet in Acts 15 he still went to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for them to render a decision about a pressing matter. The decision was made by the council of leaders.
You won’t find any example in the Bible of a church being run by one person over a group of subordinates. That’s not the biblical model. In fact, one could reasonably assert that the entirety of the five-fold ministry ought to be found within the elders in any church. Though it’s entirely possible for one person to possess the characteristics of more than one of the offices, the plurality of leadership taught by the NT almost demands a variety of people, perhaps even several of each, in the church.
This is a different kind of church order. It is a completely different way of thinking. It might turn many of our assumptions about church on their head.
I’ll let you decide if this all is true or not. This whole thing may be completely new to you, or you may already be operating in this understanding. I’ll let you search the Scriptures for yourself. Holy Spirit will lead you to the truth.
C3 church is endeavoring to be the church we are called to be, however that looks, however that’s organized. We are still learning how to do that, and we don’t always get it right. We apologize for our mistakes.
It is our desire to encourage those with various gifts without placing undue burden on a few. Whether elders, deacons, or attendees of C3, we want to honor what Father is doing in you, and we want to see that released here. Yes, it can be extremely difficult to row against the currents of centuries of tradition and understanding. It’s deeply ingrained, but I believe that the battle is worth fighting.
Also, we want Brand and Josie’s ministries to be fruitful for decades. We want them to return to a spiritual environment that is a joy and not a burden. We want them to obtain a vision of the body that allows them to see exactly what their calling and anointing is. This change must connect them into Holy Spirit’s purposes, or we will be seeing burnout. That would be unconscionable.
I also believe that we have a perfect opportunity to press in to discern Father’s heart about what kind of church we should be. I am convinced that when we get on the right track, things will really break loose in C3. All the gifts and talents will come forth in dazzling array. The lost and hurting will come, attracted by our love and care for one another. We all will have revelation of our purpose and position, and when we embrace that revelation, this church will be unstoppable.
Do you believe that?
We need pastors to father in the church.
TEACHERS GROUND
I spent the most time on the pastor office, because it’s an issue that hits close to home.
The last office is the teacher. There are some people, you’ve probably heard them, who are excellent at explaining concepts in a way that you can grab onto. They’re simply gifted communicators. Their words carry power, and those words seem to demand we listen. Ro. 12:6-7 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us… if it is teaching, let him teach…
It’s that apportionment of grace again. Some people just seem to have a remarkable ability to teach. This is the office of teacher at work, it seems to stand above the typical teacher’s teaching. I wouldn’t say that public recognition is a measure of anointing, but somehow we know when we are being taught by a master.
In my opinion, teaching is different than preaching. Teaching is the exposition of the nuts and bolts of the faith. Teaching takes you deep into holy principles and revelatory knowledge. Teaching transports you into understanding. Teaching is developmental. Teaching grounds you, it gives you a place to stand. Teachers ground.
I view preaching to be more to the moment. The preacher discerns what is needed for the situation, responds to the spiritual climate, and speaks to it with power. The preacher targets the need and the context of what’s happening in the room. The words of the preacher usually demand an immediate response from the hearer. The preacher proclaims.
The teaching I most value is the kind that imparts understanding and vision, teaching that motivates people to take hold and run with it. Teaching is more than the impartation of facts, it’s ideas taking root that lead me to do something about what I’ve learned. Some of us have sat though hundreds or even thousands of sermons in our lives. We’ve got quite a repertoire of biblical knowledge. We nod our heads and say amen, but go home unchanged. This too has to change.
Again, I must stress that I am not talking about anyone in particular, nor am I condemning any of you. I am here to obey the writer of Hebrews: I’m trying to spur you on towards love and good deeds. He. 10:24
As with the other offices of the five-fold ministry, we all are teachers in some capacity. Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Say this with me: I have something of value… and I want to share it.
We need teachers to ground us in the church.
(Worship team) I hope you can see some of the overlap between eldership and the five-fold ministries, and also the overlap with the people as a whole. The lines aren’t clearly drawn, and as I have said, I’m offering my opinion.
It’s quite possible that you have a calling to the prophetic office, for example, but at present you are only aware of vague promptings. Or maybe you may be a person destined to speak powerfully to thousands, but right now you have stage fright. Or you’re a single guy who hates kids, but you’re called to be a father and pastor. There’s a difference between being called and being released. Having a ministry planted in you and seeing your destiny come to fruition are two separate things. Being aware of something and being positioned to do something about it are different.
In fact, Father has placed things in you that you might not even know about. If this somehow this creates some soul searching, or questions, or expectation in you, then I’ve done my job. Many of us come here without expectation, because nothing ever happens. Or maybe it’s really that nothing happens because there is no expectation. Again, change is in the air. It’s a new season. Father is going to breathe His Holy Spirit on us, if we’re willing to receive. He’s going to change this people. He’s going to change the very atmosphere. It’s always new, always life giving, always good.
I don’t know when. Or how. Or what it will look like. I know it takes
The point of all of this is that I’m asking you to respond, perhaps in a way you never have before. Ask Father what He wants you to do. Ask Him to show you your destiny. Ask Him to reveal what He has planted in you. Ask Him to move in you and motivate you. Ask for clear sight and open ears.
While you’re asking, ask Him if there is any wicked way in you. Repent if necessary. Ask for breakthrough. Ask for release. Ask for more. More. MORE. He is the good Father, and will give more of Holy Spirit to those who ask.
Also, if you get done praying, be on the lookout around the room. Don’t just sit there waiting for the service to end. See if Holy Spirit is impressing upon you something about someone. Maybe you have the exact right word for them they need to hear. Maybe you have something they never knew they needed.
There will be people up front and to the side who will pray with you, if you like. Take advantage of them.
After Jesus was crucified, we find in Acts 1:21-22 that Peter wants the remaining 11 to choose a replacement for Judas the betrayer. They established their search parameters:
to have been with the apostles “…the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us…”
and the candidates must become “…a witness with us of his resurrection.”
This makes total sense. Select someone who you know and trust, someone who has been stable, faithful, and committed. They chose Matthias. But for some reason, he is never mentioned again. He may have been a great apostle, or he may have been the wrong choice. We just don’t know. But he was an apostle, #13.
As I think about it, those apostles were a unique category, since at some point they and their contemporaries would pass on, which would mean no one else could have been with them the whole time. So it makes sense to me that there must be more than one kind of apostle. I think Scripture shows this.
For example, Paul. He was an apostle of the highest order, yet he is clearly another kind of apostle. He was not chosen according to the apostles’ criteria. He was not with the apostles the whole time. Perhaps this is why his apostleship was continually questioned. We read in several places where Paul defends his apostleship, which suggests to me that because he wasn’t chosen by the originals, and because his ministry was to the gentiles, he was not universally accepted.
I guess even the first century church had preconceptions and traditions that caused them problems.
Paul describes himself this way: 1Co. 9:1-2 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
Paul was a different kind of apostle, perhaps even the greatest. In fact, he seems to embody all the offices, apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher, doesn’t he? If you’re counting, Paul is #14.
There were other apostles as well. Three men, Barnabas, Andronicus, and Junias are specifically mentioned as apostles. Others possibly include Stephen, Titus and Timothy, although they aren’t identified as such. And there must have been more as the church grew across Asia and into the Roman world. So if you’re counting, seventeen men are specifically identified as apostles, and several more can be inferred to be apostles.
Are there apostles just like these in the church today, with the same authority and power? There is a stream of thought out there that the apostolic ministry of the first century is being recovered in our time. This could be, I don’t really know. Actually, I don’t think it is necessary that the ministry of today’s apostles be exactly like the originals, since we have already noted biblically that there were other kinds.
And we know from our discussion of Ephesians 4:11-16 that Father has appointed apostles as one of the five-fold ministries, so we would have to have apostles today. What sort of apostle would that be? The word apostle means “sent one.” Apostles are those who are sent out. A good term we would use today is “ambassador.” That is, a person who is specifically chosen and sent forth to represent a government or king.
There are a variety of people who walk into C3, and because of their anointing, faith, hearts of service, and spiritual fruit, come to be recognized as sent ones. They bear Father’s message. They might not even consider themselves apostles. People who have been sent to us by Father are ministering in our midst right now, with a strong faith and mature outlook that is impacting us. They may just be average people. They may be deacons or elders. Some may be on their way here over the next weeks and months. They are part of us.
Say this with me: Father, help us… to see the sent ones.
We might never know if someone is an apostle or other part of the five-fold ministries. They aren’t self-promoters. A humble attitude would certainly be appropriate for anyone who thought himself to be an apostle, or any kind of church leader for that matter. Yet sometimes church leaders, pastors in particular, get caught up in the adoration, hype, and trappings of their position. Please note I am not talking about Pastor Brand or anyone else in our leadership. I am making a general observation about human nature and what can be an all-to-common problem in the church.
We will see later on that this trap exists in part because I think our churches are structured incorrectly.
So I believe we should have apostles today. There are apostles today. In fact, C3 church has or should have apostles. They are “sent ones,” sent to us, called in by Father to help us all to advance in the faith and cause us to mature.
Lastly in the category of apostles is, we are all to some degree apostles. 1Pe. 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
We are commissioned by an authority to bear an authoritative message. That’s a sent one. An ambassador. Do we not go out and operate in the name of one who occupies a high office? That’s a sent one. Father wants us to minister to the orphan and the widow, and to comfort the poor and the afflicted. Father wants the gospel of the Kingdom to be spoken to the ends of the earth. That’s an ambassador.
Are we not all called to build up the people, to be a part of the body of Christ as members of the House of the Lord, to speak edifying words of life? Apostles build. We need apostles.
Say this with me: If I’m sent… I want to know where I’m going.
That’s where the prophetic office enters.
PROPHETS IMPART
The last time I spoke I explained the role of the prophetic gift in the church, so I won’t spend too much time on that today.
Although there are some who would disagree, I believe NT prophecy is different than that of the OT. OT prophets spoke and recorded the direct words of God. They were held to an exacting standard. 100% accuracy. If they failed to do that, they were to be put to death.
The nature of NT prophecy is different. First, the word is judged and discerned by all of us in the congregation. 1Co. 14:29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
Second, we do not put prophets to death when they make a mistake, we ignore them. 1Co. 14:37-38 If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
Third, whereas OT prophecy frequently spoke to kings or nations, revealed secrets, or spoke of the future and about judgment, NT prophecy must to be edifying and encouraging as it operates in the gathering, 1Co. 14:3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
Some prophecy is real, and some is false. 1Jn. 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
False prophets are just as bad as false teachers. 2Pe. 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.
The gift of prophecy is to be sought after: 1Co. 14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
The gift of prophecy in the body is one of encouragement and building up. It’s a ministry of
- “you can do it!
- You can be free!
- You can be healed!
- You can endure!
- Don’t let this stop you!”
This is the general prophetic gift in the church, available to everyone in greater or lesser degree. It’s a crucial part of the operation of the local church body.
Say this with me: I like the idea… of being encouraged… and being an encourager.
In my opinion, the prophetic office as part of the five-fold ministries is not the same thing as the gift of prophecy. The prophetic office tends towards deeper, broader, more insightful revelation that can apply to bodies of people as well as individuals. The prophet’s apportionment of grace seems to be greater. It imparts. It speaks destiny and purpose and identity. I would say that it is not specifically a prophetic gifting so much as it is an authority and depth in the prophetic.
Paul hints at the broader scope of this office in 1Co. 14:6: Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
That is, what good is it if Paul enters their midst without ministering to the people in a valuable way? The prophet as part of the five-fold ministry brings that value.
We catch hints of the prophetic office sprinkled around in the Bible:
1Co. 14:32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. The prophetic office operates in oversight to other prophets
Re. 19:10b For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. There is a basic Jesus nature to prophecy, a spiritual nature, and it’s connected to the evangelistic ministry
1Ti. 1:18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight… there is a “feet to the fire” aspect to prophecy that keep younger ones on track
1Ti. 4:14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. there is an impartation aspect to the prophetic office.
We see in these Scriptures the broader scope of the prophetic office. The prophetic office imparts. The prophet speaks the word of Father over people. The prophet speaks of Father’s heart, with words of destiny, purpose, and vision.
We need prophets to impart to the church.
EVANGELISTS GATHER
There are only three mentions of evangelists in the NT, and but a single mention of pastor, while there are dozens of references to apostles, teachers, and prophets. It’s noteworthy that we are able to rightly discern the crucial role that evangelism plays in the church despite its rare mention, yet we seem to get the pastor part, also rarely mentioned, so wrong. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
When we think of evangelists, we probably think of people like Billy Graham, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, Charles Finney, and Dwight Moody. As with all the offices of the five fold ministry, there is a general expression of the gift that operates in the church, and then there is the evangelist office, which seems to be higher in power and anointing. It’s like sharing your faith on steroids.
Evangelists are consumed with gathering. They want to gather the harvest, bring people to faith, and then turn them over to the other offices for discipling, teaching, and fathering. Their words seem to carry Holy Spirit power to speak to hearts. When the evangelist calls for repentance, people repent. When he calls to get saved, people get saved.
Evangelists gather.
Peter spoke the first evangelistic message in Acts chapter two. After the tongues of fire descended upon the 120 in the upper room, Peter came out with boldness. When he preached, Ac. 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Paul evangelized. For example, he made his famous defense before the philosophers in Athens, saying Ac. 17:23 Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
In Acts 8, Philip evangelized. He went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed Christ, and did signs and wonders there. A few verses later, Philip witnessed to an Ethiopian eunuch, then teleported away. I’d like that spiritual gift.
It was Peter and John who were jailed for preaching in Acts 4. This is the ministry of the evangelist, to boldly proclaim the truths of Father to the lost.
As with the other offices, the evangelist seems to have a recognition in various churches and denominations. Those who are doing the heavy lifting in the kingdom seem to be able to transcend denominational and even doctrinal barriers, probably in part because there is no denying that people are getting saved.
And once again, we are all called to evangelism. Isn’t it interesting that each of the offices of the five-fold ministry also play out to some degree in the people?
Our word for this year is “harvest.” Harvest means to reap and gather the crop. There is a crop out there right before your eyes that is ready to harvest. I hope you’re praying in this harvest, that it occupies your thoughts and is in the forefront of your ministry.
Jn. 4:35 I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
Say this with me: I want to be a gatherer... and not a scatterer.
We need evangelists gathering in the church.
PASTORS FATHER
I would suggest that the single office most misunderstood in the church today is the pastor. We have a conception that the pastor is at the top of the food chain in the local church, he’s the leader, the buck stops here, and he’s expected to do all of the things that need to be done in the church.
None of that is true.
I think this misconception is why we so often see pastors fall, why we see them burn out, and why we see their ministries get bogged down or off track. And it’s also why we see uninvolved, ambivalent congregations. In my opinion, it’s not only because we have a wrong view of the pastorate, pastors themselves have a wrong view.
The average pastor lasts 3.6 years in a church. 90% report they are fatigued as a normal state. 57% say they would leave ministry if they had a better opportunity outside the church. 77% percent said their marriage was struggling, and 38% were either divorced or in the process. Only 33% of pastors read the Bible apart from preparing for Sunday sermon. 70% constantly fight depression.
I think this, in part, is the result of decades, if not centuries, of bad doctrine regarding pastors. Thankfully, Brand has been able to get free of much of this, but as you know, he and Josie are on sabbatical right at this moment. They need rest from the obligations and pressures, not only for what they placed on themselves, but from what we’ve placed on them via expectations, complaints, well-intentioned suggestions, and our own inaction.
Do you remember how many times Brand asked for help on behalf of Josie for children’s church? Do you know how hard it is to find people to volunteer for things like the prayer team, the food pantry, or for cleaning the church? Do you know how often just a handful of people show up for projects? And, despite many mentions of our connect groups, they are poorly attended?
I’m not saying any of this to condemn you. Please, don’t misunderstand. It simply means we are part of a system of understanding, our chotchkies, that color our expectations of how church is done. My purpose is to elevate the Body. I want you to see a greater vision of what it means to be the body of Christ. How important you are to the kingdom and to this church. It requires a change in understanding in all of us, and a more accurate discerning of how the body is supposed to work. 1Co. 12:4-6,17 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good... 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
We are all in this together. We all have a job to do, we all have a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. Do you understand that your work in the church, whether it’s playing on the worship team or scrubbing toilets in our five bathrooms, is a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good? He’s called us to a place just as he wanted them to be, but we want to rearrange and reinterpret and revise this to suit our tastes.
So if we want to be right where Father is taking us, we need to change as individuals. And C3 needs to become a fully functioning, leave no one behind, get the job done church. We can only do that by means of Holy Spirit.
We are an elder led church, which means the elders are responsible for the spiritual condition and spiritual direction of the church. Clearly this means that we elders have not done well enough. We need to change as well. We have deacons, and it’s their job to make sure this church functions in its ministries. Their service has to be borne of the Spirit as much as any elder. The deacons need to change. That’s why I say Father is always is doing a new thing. This new thing coming down the pike represents a shift in attitudes, actions, and even our ways of life.
Now let me explain what a pastor really is. A pastor is a shepherd who cares for the flock. In the NT, everything you read about shepherds, overseers, and pastors apply to the elders. That is, the elders are pastors, overseers and shepherds, and the pastors are elders, overseers and shepherds. 1Pe. 5:1-3 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow-elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
They tenderly watch over the flock. They are fathers. Oh how we need fathers! They must be mature, wise, experienced, and have walked the road of faith for a long time. They must love the people under their care, and carefully guard them. And notice that Peter wants them to set themselves as examples.
Say this with me: I want to be… like my elders.
I tremble inside that anyone would want to be like me. It’s sobering, and a little intimidating.
I said there needs to be a plurality of leadership, but I also need to say that among the group of elders, or any leadership group, there are those who seem to rise above, who take on greater responsibility because they provide key leadership and do highly honorable duties. 1Tim. 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
I would call them first among equals. In a church that is properly ordered, we will have gifted people in public visible positions, yet avoid elevating them into super-ministers. Others are perhaps less presentable, but they would be valued as well. But there is always a plurality of leadership. This is not a democracy, a dictatorship, or a commune. It is a body, a family that is aware of how it fits together.
In the NT, we don’t see apostles and assistant apostles, or pastors and assistant pastors, or evangelists and assistant evangelists. Peter was obviously a leader with high authority. And we know the power of Paul’s ministry, yet in Acts 15 he still went to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for them to render a decision about a pressing matter. The decision was made by the council of leaders.
You won’t find any example in the Bible of a church being run by one person over a group of subordinates. That’s not the biblical model. In fact, one could reasonably assert that the entirety of the five-fold ministry ought to be found within the elders in any church. Though it’s entirely possible for one person to possess the characteristics of more than one of the offices, the plurality of leadership taught by the NT almost demands a variety of people, perhaps even several of each, in the church.
This is a different kind of church order. It is a completely different way of thinking. It might turn many of our assumptions about church on their head.
- In a church that is properly ordered, we should expect to see every elder teaching.
- In a church that is properly ordered, we should see lots of spiritual fathers.
- In a church that is properly ordered, we should see a valuing of the prophetic.
- In a church that is properly ordered, we should see prayer, the word, and worship flourishing.
- In a church that is properly ordered, we should expect that every person in the congregation is on the lookout for how they can minister according to their gifts.
- In a church that is properly ordered, we should expect that every person in the congregation see themselves as a crucial part of Father’s purpose for this church.
- In a church that is properly ordered, we should expect that from the least to the greatest, the body is functioning according to Father’s desire.
- In a church that is properly ordered, we should expect that people regularly get saved, get healed, get taught, and get released into their destiny.
I’ll let you decide if this all is true or not. This whole thing may be completely new to you, or you may already be operating in this understanding. I’ll let you search the Scriptures for yourself. Holy Spirit will lead you to the truth.
C3 church is endeavoring to be the church we are called to be, however that looks, however that’s organized. We are still learning how to do that, and we don’t always get it right. We apologize for our mistakes.
It is our desire to encourage those with various gifts without placing undue burden on a few. Whether elders, deacons, or attendees of C3, we want to honor what Father is doing in you, and we want to see that released here. Yes, it can be extremely difficult to row against the currents of centuries of tradition and understanding. It’s deeply ingrained, but I believe that the battle is worth fighting.
Also, we want Brand and Josie’s ministries to be fruitful for decades. We want them to return to a spiritual environment that is a joy and not a burden. We want them to obtain a vision of the body that allows them to see exactly what their calling and anointing is. This change must connect them into Holy Spirit’s purposes, or we will be seeing burnout. That would be unconscionable.
I also believe that we have a perfect opportunity to press in to discern Father’s heart about what kind of church we should be. I am convinced that when we get on the right track, things will really break loose in C3. All the gifts and talents will come forth in dazzling array. The lost and hurting will come, attracted by our love and care for one another. We all will have revelation of our purpose and position, and when we embrace that revelation, this church will be unstoppable.
Do you believe that?
We need pastors to father in the church.
TEACHERS GROUND
I spent the most time on the pastor office, because it’s an issue that hits close to home.
The last office is the teacher. There are some people, you’ve probably heard them, who are excellent at explaining concepts in a way that you can grab onto. They’re simply gifted communicators. Their words carry power, and those words seem to demand we listen. Ro. 12:6-7 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us… if it is teaching, let him teach…
It’s that apportionment of grace again. Some people just seem to have a remarkable ability to teach. This is the office of teacher at work, it seems to stand above the typical teacher’s teaching. I wouldn’t say that public recognition is a measure of anointing, but somehow we know when we are being taught by a master.
In my opinion, teaching is different than preaching. Teaching is the exposition of the nuts and bolts of the faith. Teaching takes you deep into holy principles and revelatory knowledge. Teaching transports you into understanding. Teaching is developmental. Teaching grounds you, it gives you a place to stand. Teachers ground.
I view preaching to be more to the moment. The preacher discerns what is needed for the situation, responds to the spiritual climate, and speaks to it with power. The preacher targets the need and the context of what’s happening in the room. The words of the preacher usually demand an immediate response from the hearer. The preacher proclaims.
The teaching I most value is the kind that imparts understanding and vision, teaching that motivates people to take hold and run with it. Teaching is more than the impartation of facts, it’s ideas taking root that lead me to do something about what I’ve learned. Some of us have sat though hundreds or even thousands of sermons in our lives. We’ve got quite a repertoire of biblical knowledge. We nod our heads and say amen, but go home unchanged. This too has to change.
Again, I must stress that I am not talking about anyone in particular, nor am I condemning any of you. I am here to obey the writer of Hebrews: I’m trying to spur you on towards love and good deeds. He. 10:24
As with the other offices of the five-fold ministry, we all are teachers in some capacity. Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Say this with me: I have something of value… and I want to share it.
We need teachers to ground us in the church.
(Worship team) I hope you can see some of the overlap between eldership and the five-fold ministries, and also the overlap with the people as a whole. The lines aren’t clearly drawn, and as I have said, I’m offering my opinion.
It’s quite possible that you have a calling to the prophetic office, for example, but at present you are only aware of vague promptings. Or maybe you may be a person destined to speak powerfully to thousands, but right now you have stage fright. Or you’re a single guy who hates kids, but you’re called to be a father and pastor. There’s a difference between being called and being released. Having a ministry planted in you and seeing your destiny come to fruition are two separate things. Being aware of something and being positioned to do something about it are different.
In fact, Father has placed things in you that you might not even know about. If this somehow this creates some soul searching, or questions, or expectation in you, then I’ve done my job. Many of us come here without expectation, because nothing ever happens. Or maybe it’s really that nothing happens because there is no expectation. Again, change is in the air. It’s a new season. Father is going to breathe His Holy Spirit on us, if we’re willing to receive. He’s going to change this people. He’s going to change the very atmosphere. It’s always new, always life giving, always good.
I don’t know when. Or how. Or what it will look like. I know it takes
- A praying people.
- A repentant people.
- A hungry people.
- A worshiping people.
- An obedient people.
The point of all of this is that I’m asking you to respond, perhaps in a way you never have before. Ask Father what He wants you to do. Ask Him to show you your destiny. Ask Him to reveal what He has planted in you. Ask Him to move in you and motivate you. Ask for clear sight and open ears.
While you’re asking, ask Him if there is any wicked way in you. Repent if necessary. Ask for breakthrough. Ask for release. Ask for more. More. MORE. He is the good Father, and will give more of Holy Spirit to those who ask.
Also, if you get done praying, be on the lookout around the room. Don’t just sit there waiting for the service to end. See if Holy Spirit is impressing upon you something about someone. Maybe you have the exact right word for them they need to hear. Maybe you have something they never knew they needed.
There will be people up front and to the side who will pray with you, if you like. Take advantage of them.
No comments:
Post a Comment