THE NATURE OF MINISTRY GIFTS AND THEIR FUNCTION

While on a walk today the Lord dropped some things in my spirit that I felt led to write about. There is a lot of misunderstanding and some confusion in certain circles of Christianity about "Ministry", "Titles" and "Priviledges" versus functioning in servant hood to the Father. I certainly have learned a lot more about this topic since coming to the Rock Columbus under the teaching of Pastor Dave and Prophet Kevin Leal.

I hope you enjoy this teaching/ article and please feel free to share if you like.

THE NATURE OF MINISTRY GIFTS AND THEIR FUNCTION
By Mary Ann Wray

While on a walk today the Lord dropped some things in my spirit that I felt led to write about. There is a lot of misunderstanding and some confusion in certain circles of Christianity about "Ministry", "Titles" and "Priviledges" versus functioning in servant hood to the Father. I certainly have learned a lot more about this topic since coming to the Rock Columbus under the teaching of Pastor Dave and Prophet Kevin Leal.

I hope you enjoy this teaching/ article and please feel free to share if you like.

MINISTRY NATURES AND DOS AND DON'TS
By Mary Ann Wray

The nature of all fivefold ministry gifts is pastoral. It is pastoral because it involves caring for the flock and people of God (Psalms 100:3). Each gift has unique and distinct differences and functions although their nature is similar in that it is pastoral as mentioned. Fivefold giftings are given by Christ himself to equip the saints of God for acts of service according to Ephesians 4: 11-16.

True ministry gifts empower others and are NOT preoccupied with personal titles. A seasoned ministry gift understands what their function is and a particular title man may use simply identifies that function that has been tested by God, others and ministry. It is their role that is important to God and the Body of Christ, not a title. In an era where there has been much abuse and misuse of authority, titles, functions and ministry gifts, it’s time to get back to what the Word of God shows us regarding the same and their purpose.

God is more concerned with function than He is a title. We see this demonstrated over and over throughout the Pauline Epistles. Paul understood his role and function in the Body of Christ as an apostle, but he identified himself as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus’ own title was nailed to the cross along with him, “King of the Jews”. That will be fulfilled at a later date but he functioned as a scapegoat for the sins of the world on the tree. Therefore, he had no noble title. He was intent on doing the Father’s will-are you?

A well-seasoned and matured ministry gift understands that any related title such as evangelist, pastor, apostle, prophet or teacher simply identifies their function not who they really are i.e., their personal identity. Each of our identity is defined in that we are wonderfully called “The sons/ daughters of God!” (John 1: 12). Yet this is the most powerful and miraculous titles anyone could ever be called that reflects our true nature and the nature of a Heavenly Father who procured us through the shed blood of His own son!  (Acts 2) 28)

People are not offended by what they are dead to. Their ego doesn’t need to be stroked by being addressed by a title although it is respectful of others to address them with it. They are sold out to Christ therefore; their lives are hidden in Him, not in a title or position. Paul, a great Apostle who was prophetic, a wonderful teacher and evangelized the entire Gentile world of his day identified himself as a ‘servant of Jesus Christ’ in almost every one of his letters. I’m sure his co-laborers addressed him in a loving, respectful way but he never demanded it from anyone! His identity was in Christ; not in what he did, his function or title. Although he knew he could take advantage of his stature and influence among the churches, he never used it for his own advantage nor did any of the men he mentored for leadership either. We need more like him in the church today!  See what he wrote in  2 Corinthians  12 :14-18…

Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?”

Other supporting scriptures concerning Paul’s identify as a servant and what we should glean from them is as follows:  Galatians 2: 20; Titus 1: 1; Romans 1: 1;  Colossians 1: 23. Briefly here are a few do’s and don’ts we should be aware of and recognize:

Ministry gifts are NOT for doing the following:
-building a personal name in the Christian community or world
-building wealth, personal comfort or a life of aflluence
-building a personal ministry for one’s own sense of self-worth, ego or prominence
-building a kingdom to exalt one's own gift while using others to accomplish that end

Ministry gifts ARE for doing the following:
-building Jesus' name and fame in the earth
-providing for widows and orphans
-building God's Kingdom consisting of souls needing salvation, healing, deliverance and instruction in righteousness
-building others so that they can discover their unique giftings and ministries
-building the Kingdom of God through multiplication of leadership following the model of discipleship that Jesus used

There are a few characteristics of each ministry gift’s 'function' outlined in Ephesians 4 that I have listed below.  It is noted by the Spirit of the Letter that there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, bond nor free. God chooses those whom He will to equip and lead His church based on the will of the Father through Jesus Christ, who is the Head of His church and empowered by the Holy Spirit; not the will of men by man’s design or plan. (Ephesians 1: 22; Galatians 3: 28; 2 Peter 1:21)

Apostles-the term apostolos means one who is sent. This is someone who God sends and ordains to establish the full gospel in new places and regions. An apostle is a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders; specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ; in a broader sense applied to other eminent Christian teachers. Their ministry is accompanied by signs, wonders, miracles and great faith. They work closely with other prophets. They provide spiritual counsel and oversight to other ministries because of the mantle of authority and leadership they walk in. They are generals in God’s army providing direction and leadership by the Holy Spirit to establish God’s plans in the earth. (2 Corinthians 12: 12)

Prophets-the term prophētēs is one who interprets hidden things and the oracles of God. One who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his/her organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he/she has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation. They are associated with the apostles. They discern and do what is best for the Christian cause, foretelling certain future events. (Acts 11:27) In religious assemblies of Christians, they are moved by the Holy Spirit to speak, having power to instruct, comfort, encourage, rebuke, convict, and stimulate, their hearers. They may preside in a local assembly only or they may be used evangelistically to bring God’s message into other churches, regions etc. They are connected to and well established in a local church and subject themselves to Apostolic oversight as do all ministry gifts-willingly; not by constraint. (1 Peter 5: 2)

Evangelists- the term euaggelistēs means a bringer of good tidings. This was the name given to the NT heralds of salvation through Christ who were/are not apostles. Therefore, their function is very similar to an apostle in that they are sent, but rather than establish new works in regions they will go where God leads them and act as sheep herders calling back to repentance those who have strayed from the fold or bring in those who have not either heard or responded to the gospel message of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Their station or function is not particularly rooted in one local assembly. They go to different places, cities, and/ or congregations calling people to repentance from dead works to serve the living God yet they are well connected to the local church. Otherwise, they will exhibit a vagabond spirit.

Pastors-the term poimen is he/she to whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow. The presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly as an under shepherd of Christ, who is the Head of the church. They are overseers of Christian assemblies. A shepherd in the Near East was responsible for watching out for enemies trying to attack the sheep, defending the sheep from attackers, healing the wounded and sick sheep, finding and saving lost or trapped sheep, loving them, and sharing their lives and to earn their trust.

Teachers- the term didaskalos  in the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man. One who is fitted to teach, or thinks himself/ herself so. Those who by their great power as teachers draw crowds around them i.e. John the Baptist & Jesus. By preeminence used of Jesus by himself, as one who showed men the way of salvation. Of the apostles, and of Paul of those who in the religious assemblies of the Christians, undertook the work of teaching, with the special assistance of the Holy Spirit
We can see from the Biblical description of each function how similar they are in nature and even overlap in some ways.  Yet each one ministers by the power of the Holy Spirit, using the gospel message of Jesus Christ to teach, heal, prophesy, exhort, call back to order and defend the flock of God. This is because they each are pastoral in nature as under shepherds to the Bishop of our souls, the Lord Jesus Christ himself. A man or woman called to fivefold ministry is uniquely designed  and developed by God as everyone is. Therefore, they may have a primary function for example as an Apostle, but have gifts of prophesy, teaching and healing. Their spiritual giftings and talents can vary but their ability to lead and equip the Body of Christ is prominent in some area of function.
It is impossible to pigeon hole any one ministry gift into a ‘one size fits all’ type of description i.e. this is exactly how a prophet looks or an evangelist looks etc. The reason is that the Holy Spirit uses and blends a person’s personality together with their spiritual gifts and natural talents to create a work of craftsmanship designed uniquely to do the work of the Lord. God has also prepared the people to receive the ministry gifts He sends to them. There are definitely certain indications that clue a person in to what a ministry gift function is but each individual is as unique as a snowflake…no two are exactly alike!
“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” Ephesians 2: 19
“Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you that person will certainly not lose their reward." Matthew 10: 36-42