what it means to lead the local church - part three: getting to know the leaders

8/9/2019 What It Means to Lead the Local Church - Part Three: Getting to Know the Leaders

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What it Means to LEAD the Local Church, Part 3:

Getting to Know the Leaders

The Five-Fold Leadership

Team of the Church


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Apostles Prophets

Evangelists

Pastors

Teachers


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According to Ephesians 2:20, apostles and prophets lay thefoundation for the church, much like Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:10.

And either before (e.g. Acts 8:5) or after(2 Tim. 4:5), evangelistswork in team with apostles to preach the gospel and gather.

Then, when the foundation is laid,pastors and teachers are appointedand/or raised up within each localchurch to continue building.


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Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers will

operate within a local church as a team of leaders, and are

considered to be part of a plurality of elders in a church.

However, not every elder in a team of

elders will necessarily be an apostle,

prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher.


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Its easy to conclude that because they are listed in a particular

order that there must be some special significance to each office

which makes each one more special than the ones following it.

This has led many to conclude that they are special offices, and

therefore subordination among the offices.

But the order seems to be based more on

the flow of the building process of a local

church, rather than importance.


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Since the foundation-building process of the local church is

where it all starts, and since this part of the process starts with

the apostolic and prophetic, the other three leadership roles evangelist, pastor, & teacher work together in a team that is led

by apostles and prophets, and apostles in particular.

In other words, since the foundation

determines the rest of the structure, andsince the apostolic primarily focuses on the

foundation, the five-fold team of church

leaders is therefore led by those who are

apostolically gifted.


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And his gifts were [varied; He himself appointed and gave men

to us,] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets

(inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists(preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors

(shepherds ofHis flock) and teachers.

His intention was the perfecting andthe full

equipping of the saints (His consecratedpeople), [that they should do] the work of

ministering toward building up Christs body

(the church),


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[That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith

and in the comprehension of the full and accurate knowledge of

the Son of God; that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the

standard height of Christs own perfection -

the measure of the stature of the fullness of

Christ, andthe completeness found in Him.


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So then, may we no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and

fro between chance gusts of teaching, andwavering with every

changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning andcleverness of unscrupulous men, (gamblers engaged) in every

shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead.

Ephesians 4:11-16The Amplified Bible


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The Ministry of

the APOSTLE


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giving amessage...

to ateam...

for anobjective...

and to reportback to...

the senderwho is...

Apostell

ETSWXIPP[


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There were originally Twelve Apostles

whom Jesus chose first to preach the gospelduring His earthly ministry.

In Matthew 10:1 ff., Mark 3:14 and 6:30, and in Luke6:13 and 9:1 ff., Jesus commissioned the Twelve to

preach the gospel among the villages during the earlyyears of His public ministry.

Just before He ascended, Jesus again gave them another

mission, this one life-long: to make disciples of all nations(Matthew), to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins tothe nations (Luke), to preach the gospel to every creature(Mark), and to be witnesses of Jesus to the nations (Acts).


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The concept of "apostolic" was widened, however, toinclude others who believed the same gospel about thesame Jesus, and therefore took up the same mission.Examples would include:

Junias and Adronicus in Romans 16:7.

Barnabas in Acts 14:14 and Galatians 2:1, 9, 13

Titus and Epaphroditus in 2 Corinthians 8:23 and Philippians 2:25

Apollos, by inference, in 1 Corinthians 4:6, 9.

James, possibly, in 1 Corinthians 15:7

Silvanus and Timothy, by inference, in comparing 1Thessalonians 1:1 with 2:6.

Other unknown brothers as apostles of the churches and theglory of Christ in 2 Corinthians 8:23.

Further, the fact that Paul had to denounce certain persons asfalse apostles, deceitful workers in 2 Corinthians 11:13 showsthat the early church didnt think of apostleship as limited to theoriginal Twelve.


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Apostleship outside the original Twelve, therefore, was

not and is not an ecclesiastical office, but a functional gift.

Apostles today do not hold offices, though they do have a positionof authority in the church. They are a larger group of men, intimatelyconnected personally to a local church, who discharge the authorityof Jesus Christ in the gospel to the lost in order to build them into alocal assembly of their own. This would then be followed by

establishing it with leaders, and strengthening it as necessary.

The relationship of an apostle to a local church then is one of a father. Theyfather people in the faith, father a local church, and then relate to that localchurch much as a father would an adult child. Once local leadership isestablished, they do not interfere with the ordinary day-to-day business andadministration of the local church.

They re-entered the scene of a local church, as we see in Paul's life, whenthere is a request to do so, a special need that cannot be resolved within thelocal assembly, a doctrinal error threatens to undermine the gospel, or whenthere is rampant sin.


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An Important Issue to Address Regarding the

Apostolic Role and Function Today

It was interesting to me to find in my studies such adissonance between the theological dictionaries, lexicons,and encyclopedias versus the commentaries on Ephesians.The reference works considered the role of apostles to beunarguably unlimited to the original Twelve apostles, andtherefore unlimited in its timeframe.

The common misconception, based on Ephesians 2:20, is that sincethe foundation of the church is already laid, we have no need for

apostles and prophets any longer. However, the assumption that thefoundation of the church was already laid when the first apostles diedis something one must read into Ephesians 2:20.


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An Important Issue to AddressRegarding the Apostolic Role

and Function Today

The Apostle Paul clearly did notunderstand the meaning of foundation inthis way. In Romans 15:20, we see that thefocus of his entire life was his ambition to

preach the gospel where Christ was notknown, so that I would not be building onesomeone elses foundation.


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From this verse (Romans 15:20) two things are clearlyevident:

First, that there are multiple builders. Paul said that he didnt want to buildon someone elses foundation. This implies that there are other builders outthere planting churches. The Great Commission implies that we must alwaysbe out there making disciples and planting churches. Therefore, thiscontinuing work means continued foundation laying laborershence, apostlestoday.

Second, there must be multiple foundations. Each ministry effort in whichPaul preached the gospel and planted a church was focused on a city. Each citywhere he planted a church, then, would have been considered a part of hisfoundation. The Great Commission doesnt stop until Jesus comes back.Therefore, this continuing work means continued foundations.


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In Summary: If the missionary work of church planting isconsidered foundation-building, and if that work is to beongoing until Jesus comes back, per the Great Commission, thenthis is not a process that is complete! There are still churches tobe planted. There are still foundations to be laid. And there arestill men who need to plant those churches and build thosefoundations.

The past tense usage of the word built in Ephesians 2:20 is simply a

reference, then, to the fact that the Ephesian church had already beenbuilt on the foundation of apostles and prophets. But since therewere other churches being planted, there were other foundationsbeing laid there too. Whats clear then is that each apostlesfoundation-building efforts simply represent a part of the greaterfoundation of the universal church.


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giving themessage ofChrist in the

gospel

to a team offaithful &

gifted men

to labor inplantingchurches

and to report

back to...

The SendingLocal

Church(es)

Biblical

Apostleship

101

0

Preaching the gospel (1 Cor.9:16; 2 Cor. 4:5)

Ambassadors ofJesus Christ(2 Cor. 5:11-21)

Planters of Local Churches (1Cor. 3:6)

Servants of Christ to Local

Churches (1 Cor. 3:5; 4:1)

Laying Foundations for Local

Churches (1 Cor. 3:10)

Spiritual Fathers to Local

Churches (1 Cor. 4:15)

Examples for Local Churches(1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1).

Driving Unity in Local

Churches (1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:13).

Guardians of sound doctrine

in local churches (1 Cor. 15;Galatians)

Ministers of the NewCovenant (2 Cor. 3:6)

Suffering for the Gospel (2 Cor.4:1-18; 11:16-12:10).

Facilitating Collections for

Other Churches (2 Cor. 8-9)

Waging Spiritual Warfare for

Local Churches (2 Cor. 10)

Functions of an

Apostolic Team


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giving the

message ofChrist in the

gospel

to a team offaithful &

gifted men

to labor inplantingchurches

and to reportback to...

The sendinglocalchurch(es)

Biblical

Apostleship

101

The completion of the

objective becomes a sign

and seal of apostleship

publicly visible in missionary

labors and fruit.(1 Cor. 9:2; 2 Cor. 12:12; Gal. 2:8)


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The Ministry of

the PROPHET




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Prophts

4VSJLXL:

The NT prophet in the church is one person who would both

receive and communicate a divinely received word from God,contrary to the Greco-Roman world where the promantis

would get the word and the prophetis would communicate it.

They are somehow overcome with an ability to see or hear

things they would not be able to otherwise, coupled with a

compulsion to speak it to a person or group of persons in

particular. This comes through dreams, visions, or spontaneous

revelation and/or understanding of something God desires His

people to know for their exhortation, comfort, or edification.


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The receiving of the revelation, however, was not such

that their own consciousness or individuality or personality

were suppressed, unlike pagan prophecy where a personwent into a trance when receiving a word.

With regard to their own consciousness, self-controlis the key here.

The Holy Spirit will bring both the prophecy andthe self-control to

communicate it and use it properly. The NT Christian prophet can give a

full account of the revelation and how it was received, because he is

conscious of the entire occurrence.

With regard to individuality and personality, the revelation will be experienced in

a shape or manner (colors, numbers, people, etc.) in which each individual person

will understand. Subsequently, they will also communicate the prophetic word

with their own vocabulary and in their own personal effort to simply communicate

what they heard, saw, or understood. "All the more, the form in which the

prophet gives expression to his word of God is determined by his personal talents

and gifts as also by his experiences" (ISBE, 2:2460).


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Working inteam with

apostles andteachers

(1 Cor. 12:28;Eph. 4:11)

receives amessage from

God

while in completecontrol of his mind &spirit (1 Cor. 14:32)

which he submits toGod's rule of peace &order (1 Cor. 14:33)

then to othersfor weighing &examination(1 Cor. 14:29;

1 Thess. 5:20-22)

to becommunicatedto a person or

persons

(1 Cor. 14:31)

according to hismeasure of faith

(Rom. 12:4)

in a comprehensible& rational manner

(1 Cor. 14:15)

for their exhortation,comfort, and edification

(1 Cor. 14:3)

to betterminister in thelocal church &

mature it(Eph. 4:12-13)

Biblical

Prophets101

The constant,

guiding principle

behind all

prophetic activity

& efforts.


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The Ministry of

the EVANGELIST




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Euangelists

)YEKKIPMWXI:

This is the term which refers to someone who proclaims

the gospel or announces the good news of Christ.

Jesus Christ was an evangelist, because He preached the

gospel, according to Luke 20:1.

Paul was an evangelist as well as an apostle, according to

Romans 1:15.

Philip the deacon was an evangelist, in Acts 8:5 and 21:8. Timothy the pastor was an evangelist, in 2 Timothy 4:5.

And all the early disciples after being forced to flee from

Jerusalem because of persecution, went everywhere

preaching the Word, as we see in Acts 8:4.


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The Function of

the Evangelist Since we only have three references to the evangelist in

the NT, and the reference in Ephesians 4:11 is the one we are

looking at, that leaves us with only two other passages to

help us understand the role of this leader in the local church.But these two references are veryhelpful and make a solid

case for one important feature about this leader.

He works in direct relationship with the apostle(s).

In the case of Philip, his missionary work had to be ratified by the

Apostles Peter and John (Acts 8:14 ff.). In the case of Timothy,

he was directly commissioned and set in local church leadership

by the Apostle Paul.


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BiblicalEvangelists

101

Apostles

Prophets

Local

Churches


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BiblicalEvangelists

101

Evangelists

Preach the

Gospel

Gather theLost

TravelIntinerantly

Lead LocalChurches


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The Function of

the EvangelistThe term euangelists is thus clearly intended to refer to

people who carry on the work of the apostlesThese

evangelists may have been engaged in missionary work

(Acts 21:8), or church leadership (2 Tim. 4:5)

- NewInternational Dictionaryof New Testament Theology, Volume 2, Page 114, Gospel

He collaborates with the apostles and continues their

mission, spreading their preaching without having their

authorityHis ministry is especially itinerant, but can also

be fixed, and the evangelist like Timothy...is stationedin

the community where he carries out other

responsibilities

- Theological Lexicon of the New Testament, Volume 2, Pages 91-92, IYEKKIPM^SQEM


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The Function of

the EvangelistEvangelists are not primarily missionaries, but instead serve

the Church through the proclamation of the gospel. A clearly

demarcated church office is not apparent.

- Exegetical Dictionaryof the New Testament, Volume 2, Page 70, IYEKKIPM^[

The evangelist has no fixed place of residence, but moves

abut in different localities, preaching the gospel to those

ignorant of it before. As these are converted and united toJesus Christ by faith, the work of the pastor and teacher

begins, to instruct them further in the things of Christ

- InternationalStandardBible Encyclopedia, Volume 2, Page 1040, Evangelist


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The Ministry of

the PASTORS




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Poimn

TSMQLR The Greek word for pastor means shepherd.

It doesnt refer to an ecclesiastical office or title. Rather it is a

figurative term which describes the obligation of the pastor interms of his relationship to the local church. He is to shepherd

them, feed them, care for them, and protect themjust as a

literal shepherd would for a flock of literal sheep.

This becomes a command Paul gives to the Ephesians elders inActs 20:28, where he writes, Be on guard for yourselves and for

all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you

overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased

with His own blood.


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The Identity and Function

of the Pastor Because the Greek word poimen is only a description of

ones function, it is helpful to locate other roles which have

the same or similar descriptions in order to understand who

the pastor in a local church is.

In Acts 20:28, Paul uses the Greek word for shepherd together with

another Greek word, episkopos, which is translated overseer.

Therefore, a pastor is also an overseer.

In Titus 1:5 and 7, Paul is writing to Titus regarding the qualificationsof church leaders. In 1:7, Paul uses the Greek word episkopos, but first

introduces the section with another Greek word,presbuteros, which

means elder. Therefore, a pastor is also an elder in a local church.


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of the Pastor

Pastor

OverseerElder


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of the Pastor In 1 Timothy 5:17, the pastor is called an elder, and his

function is translated as laboring in exhaustion in word and

teaching. This means he preaches and teaches the Word of

God.

Able to teach is a qualification given to the elder, in 1 Timothy 3:2.

A better translation is skilled to teach. Therefore, the pastor must be

skilled in teaching the Scriptures.

In Titus 1:9, Paul says that an elder must be, holding fast the faithfulword which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both

to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

Therefore, a pastor must also have a firm grasp on the gospel, as well as a

skilled ability to exhort in sound doctrine, and refute those who are in

doctrinal error.


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of the PastorIn Summary

The word elder (presbuteros) emphasizes the attitude and

character of this leader.

The word overseer (episkopos) speaks of his role in the local

church..

The word pastor (poimen) deals with his function and

responsibility.


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The Ministry of

the TEACHERS




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Didaskalous

HMHEWOSPSY: The Greek word for teacher means to instruct.

It doesnt refer to an ecclesiastical office or title. Rather it is a

figurative term which describes the obligation of the pastor interms of his relationship to the local church. He is to shepherd

them, feed them, care for them, and protect themjust as a

literal shepherd would for a flock of literal sheep.

This becomes a command Paul gives to the Ephesians elders inActs 20:28, where he writes, Be on guard for yourselves and for

all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you

overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased

with His own blood.


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The Function of

a Teacher He teaches the gospel. In the book of Acts, teaching is almost

exclusively used to refer to evangelistic labors by apostolic

teams. So with the introduction of this role of teachers, it

becomes quickly evident that it is an extremely flexible andversatile role of leadership in the church. Teachers, therefore,

can be itinerant, traveling with and supporting the apostolic,

missionary labor of evangelism and church planting.

He teaches the Scriptures. In Pauls letters, teaching is almostexclusively used to refer to the pastoral labors of elders and church

leaders. Teachers, therefore, can be stationary, maintaining a

presence in one location to continue to build and guide.


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The Function of

a TeacherThe office of teacher is fundamentally related to the

creation of a missionary atmosphere (Acts 13:1)

The teaching function of Christianity in the 2nd cent.became strictly official, therefore losing much of its

elasticity.

-InternationalStandardBible Encyclopedia, Volume 4, Page 2923 Teach, Teacher, Teaching

In summary, all pastors are required to be teachers, but not allteachers are pastors. Some teachers are apostolic, or evangelistic,

or even prophetic. Therefore, the lines cannot be clearly drawn

between these five roles.


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The Overlap of the

Leadership Functions In Acts the missionary proclamation of the apostles or of

Paul is frequently described in terms of teaching (4:2; 5:21,

25: in the temple; 11:26).

In Acts the apostolic teaching is even described in terms of

evangelism, as the content of the teaching was the proclamation

about Christ (5:42; 15:35; 18:11, 25; 28:31; cf. 4:18; 5:28:

teaching in Jesus name).

In Pauls letters, teaching is generally for the church (Eph. 4:21; Col.

2:7; 3:15; 2 Thess. 2:15; 1 Tim. 2:12), which puts it squarely in the

lap of the pastors, or elders.


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Prophesying

Building

Evangelizing

Teaching

Prophesying

Building

Teaching

Pastoring

Teaching

Building

Prophesying

Evangelizing

Pastoring

Teaching

Apostles Prophets

Pastors &Teachers

Evangelists


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The Overlap of the

Leadership Functions Again, to summarize, these five ministries of the church are

flexible, elastic, and overlapping, which is what we would

expect from a Holy Spirit who gives gifts and abilities and

skills to people as He so determines (1 Cor. 12:11).

For this reason, there can be no clearly defined offices and

therefore no titles for these men who work in the church today.

Consequently, this is why there is the absolute necessity of these

five leaders working in a team with each other. The Holy Spiritmoves in and out of each leader enabling him to do what the Spirit

best sees fit for Jesus church at that particular time. The more

men you have on a team, therefore, the greater impact and benefit

will be had on the church.


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Stay tuned next week as Carl Herrington,

an Ephesians 4:11 apostolic leader

with New Frontiers USAgiving oversight to ourlocal church,

further describes the necessity and nature

of the relationship of working in team

especially as it relates to leading a local church.


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Questions &

Discussion



what it means to lead the local church - part three: getting to know the leaders

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