The further I walk with the Lord, the less inclined I am to offer an opinion. Indeed, everyone has an opinion, and I doubt that mine smells any better than anyone else’s. The scripture encourages us to live by every word that comes from the mouth of God, and so I try to remain focused on the things He’s speaking at the present time. Because of this, I’ve never really written much about the “five-fold ministry”. Though I’ve heard and seen a lot of teaching on the subject, the Lord hasn’t spoken directly to me about it until very recently. To that end, I wanted to share the things I felt like He showed me. This is in no way intended to be a comprehensive overview, in fact, it may actually spur more questions than it answers. But I feel as though there are some strong words of caution within, and so I offer them for your consideration.
Part of what makes this subject contentious is the issue of authority. Western ethos in general, and American culture in particular, seems to have a love / hate relationship with authority. Within Americanized “Christianity”, it is not uncommon to see either strong rebellion against any sort of limitation or boundary, or to have people exalting those in leadership into positions God has reserved for Himself. Some will get up and walk out of the room, while others will likely bow down and worship a mere man (or woman). Without a doubt, neither of those responses is appropriate.
Despite the tremendous freedom we have in Christ, it is difficult to argue that there should never be titles, ordered structure, or positional authority. The scripture clearly states that He has called some to be apostles, and prophets, and teachers…, and He sets about an order within marriage, the family and the church. The fear of all these things is rooted in what men have historically done with these positions and with this authority. The current landscape of “Apostolic” and/or “Prophetic” ministry” hasn’t done much to dispel those concerns. Too much personality, too little character. Lots of networking, not much community. Way too much sensation, and way too little transformation.
Jesus made the Father’s intentions clear when He told us that He is the vine and we are the branches. No more bloody sacrifices, no more annual visits from the high priest, and no more middle men. After attempting to walk with them in the garden, and trying to speak to them from the mountain, and wanting to be their King from afar, He would finally have the direct connection that He always desired. With the perfect sacrifice of His Son, who was both King and Priest, He tore the veil that separated them, and made them a temple of His Holy Spirit. Now His sheep would know His voice, they would listen, and they would follow. And He would give them an anointing that would teach them all things.
This priesthood of the believer is what Paul envisioned as he spoke of Christ being the head, and of a whole body, made up of many parts, which is supported by every ligament. As each one stepped into their fullness in Christ, they would come to maturity as the body of Christ upon the earth.
It was with these points as a backdrop that I felt like the Lord began to speak to me.
Paul clearly states that the purpose of the five-fold ministry is to help equip members for service, and ultimately to build up the body of Christ (Eph.4:11-12). It is meant to undergird and support the priesthood of the believer. These ministries are in no way meant to replace, or diminish the headship of Christ, or the leading of the Holy Spirit for each individual believer.
Ministry that infringes upon this relationship has overstepped the bounds of its authority. Indeed, “The friend of the Bridegroom never steps between Him and His Bride”.
Much of the confusion related to apostolic ministry is gathered around the notion that apostles are intended to become something like CEOs of the church, and that is a distortion of the truth. While the Lord has given apostles an important role, it is a very specific role, and not intended to give them limitless authority.
He has not ordained them to become brokers between Him and His children (1Tim.2:5). The body of Christ will only become fully functional when every member is directly connected to the head (Christ Jesus), and empowered and led by His Spirit.
The hallmark of a genuine apostolic grace is humility. It is only when knowledge encounters humility that it can become wisdom. Without humility, knowledge simply puffs up a man. Paul spoke of how this calling will “expose the motives of the heart” (1 Cor. 4). In that same vein, I sensed the weightiness of these issues, the stricter judgment that comes with this role (Matt.18:6), and the resistance God feels toward the proud (James 4:6).
Even those who are called, and have a pure heart will have to resist the people’s penchant for wanting an earthly king, and be diligent in ensuring that none of His glory is found buried beneath their tent. Functioning in this role will demand more than just wisdom and experience, it will require a supernatural grace.
I was also reminded of Paul’s warnings about “deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ” (2 Cor.11) and sensed that there are many who have simply placed this mantle upon themselves. Some have become notable for their extensive “networks”, but the Lord says that they are drawing people to themselves instead of to Him. I felt like the Lord showed me that in the infancy of this move He is being patient, but that there is a coming age of accountability.
Finally, I sensed the Lord say that the first century church is not the model for where He wants to take His Church. While we romanticize the concepts of folks being devoted to the teaching of the Apostles (Acts 2:42) and placing money at their feet (Acts 4:35), they never actually walked in the fullness of the things He ordained for them.
As in all things, Christ is our model, as He walked in perfect fellowship with both the Father and the Spirit. If we do not have the mind of Christ, and the heart of the Father, we cannot be trusted with the power of His Spirit. It is His desire to do abundantly more than we could ever ask for, or imagine, but that will only happen if He builds His church (Matt.16:18, Psalm 127:1).
Bjcorbin's Blog 
The Most Pressing Issue Facing the Church
Posted in Commentaries, Word Pictures, tagged 7 Cultural Mountains, apostolic, church, conference, dysfunction, Ecclesia, Five-Fold Ministry on November 16, 2023| Leave a Comment »
As the various ministry leaders filed into the room, they smiled warily at one another. Exchanging tepid pleasantries as they moved to their assigned seats at the head table. This session was intended to create a panel discussion on “The Most Pressing Issue Facing the Church”, and the audience seemed enthusiastic to hear from this esteemed panel. Some of the speakers were better known than others, but all had come with something to say.
One by one, they spoke out their concerns. One spoke of the rampant sexual sin, that had engulfed so many in leadership; calling for the corporate repentance of all believers. Another pointed to a failure to properly discern “The Body or Ecclesia”, pleading for greater unity among the brethren. Still another reasoned it was the lack of a functioning “Five-Fold Ministry” structure, chiding the attendees to step under the umbrella of Apostolic leadership. Each presenter was met with a chorus of amens, and generally polite applause, until one particularly boisterous speaker set the spectators aflame with his diatribe on the loss of the churches influence within western society, and his “7 Cultural Mountains” strategy to bring her back to her former glory. The people rose to their feet as this man made his way around the room, laying his hands on them, and “imparting a spirit of boldness!”
Conference organizers considered ending the session on this high note, but there was still one more panelist who hadn’t spoken, so despite their better instincts, they asked that folks move back to their seats and give him their attention. The energy of the room dropped significantly, as this final speaker made his way to the podium. Some looked through their program, searching for the credential that qualified him to be included amongst this illustrious group. He spoke in a relatively low voice, and in measured tones, but he seemed to make eye contact with just about everyone in the room. He did not introduce himself, or give his resume, as the other speakers had. He simply began to speak.
“The most pressing issue facing the church of Jesus Christ is that we do not look anything like Him. We do not think like Him, we do not speak like Him, we do not share His value system, and we do not reflect His character. We are called to be the physical manifestation of His Body on the earth. A living, breathing representation of who He is, so that He might draw men unto Himself through us. But instead, we have created an industry called, “The Church”, and we’ve slapped His name on our letterheads, and buildings, much like a corporate sponsor does on a stadium.
He said that people would know us by the way we love each other, but that is not how they know us. If we’re honest, we ourselves struggle to gather in the same room without all manner of envy and strife. Who should accept the invitation to join in such dysfunction.
The Apostle Paul warned that we could gain all knowledge, and know all prophecy, and give to the poor, but if we failed to love, as He loves, we would have nothing. We are rich in the things of the world. We have beautiful facilities, and state of the art sound systems, and church vans, and coffee bars… But we are impoverished in the currency of the Kingdom.
I would suggest to you that it is not “boldness” that we lack, for we have boldly gone our own way. It is humility that we ought to pray for, because without the mind of Christ, or the Father’s heart, we cannot be trusted with the power of His Spirit.”
The room was completely quiet, and everyone sat still, as the man shuffled back to his seat. After an uncomfortable pause, it was announced that the session was over, and lunch was served. Both the speakers and the audience rose to their feet, and intently moved toward the door. No one acknowledged the final speaker, or addressed the words he’d said.
But as the conference ended, the singular point of agreement amongst the attendees was that this man should not be invited to next year’s gathering.
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