Dear Brother,
We teach what we know; we reproduce what we are.
While pastoring a new fellowship, I received a phone call from an evangelist I had known for many years. He was traveling through our area. “Yes,” I told him, “we need the ministry of an evangelist, come and preach a series of meetings.” He came and ministered for four days. We rejoiced as six people came, making commitments to the Lord. Weeks after the evangelist was gone, four of the converts were gone also and the other two were the most independent, unteachable people we had.
How I prayed about what had happened! Here is what the Lord showed me: The ministry did not flow out of relationship. He did not come to edify the church, he came to win the lost, heal the sick, and have good meetings. The evangelist is an independent man, without any relationship giving him accountability in the Body of Christ. When I attempted to share with him about the apostolic ministry, he was unteachable. He reproduced what he was; independent, unteachable believers who were seemingly impossible to disciple.
In this letter, brother, I want to encourage you to work at building relationships with men in all of the five-fold ministries. I commend you for your efforts in cultivating your relationship with your apostolic oversight. I’m sure he will be glad to give his assistance as you will develop ties with prophets, evangelists, and teachers. Be discerning as you welcome other ministries to minister within your sphere. Invite men who will edify the church, not men who are out to build their own ministries.
I believe, if we are to know the full ministry of Jesus, we must have all the five-fold ministries. According to the Scriptures, Jesus is the perfect apostle (Heb. 3:1), Jesus is the perfect prophet (Luke 24:19), Jesus is the perfect evangelist (Mark 1:14), Jesus is the perfect pastor (Heb. 13:20), and Jesus is the perfect teacher (John 3:2). As we discover how to walk in relationship with Jesus, we will find ourselves walking in relationship with each of these ministries.
Seek the Lord, brother, and look forward to having all of the five-fold ministries sharing within your fellowship from time to time. May His life flow and the church be edified!
Bruce
