And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
There are a variety of people mentioned in this passage; apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers and saints. I noticed that the previous five were necessary, 'to equip the saints for the work of ministry'.
It seems so easy for us to desire to be an evangelist or teacher and to hold preachers, prophets and shepherds in high esteem, but actually what is being held up here is that these people with these abilities are necessary for the saints. So, if there were no saints, would they be needed? The importance to me seems to be that these people are necessary in order for the saints (that's you and me, the ordinary God-loving folk!) to do what God needs them to do.
This seems a bit backwards. Most people would like to be, or meet an evangelist or an amazing shepherd and we value their gifts. It is good and right to value those with these gifts, but in a culture where everyone wants to be top dog, be the best, this is not what the Bible is seeming to say. It does say that these gifts are important, but it is not saying that that is all there is.
The everyday, normal, ordinary, keep-on-plodding person that believes Jesus has died for their sins, and has put complete trust and faith in God, is a saint. From this section of scripture it seems to be showing that these people, the ones who fill pews, chairs, seating arrangements in churches week after week and faithfully follow Christ as saints are important.
They are the reason that there are; apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers in the first place. Without the saints would the others be needed?
The job of those with the first five roles are important. They are charged; 'to equip the saints for the work of ministry'. They have responsibility to be leading the saints and strengthening them.
Each saint is holy, blameless and virtuous, and all have works of ministry to fulfill.
We all have purpose, yet we can all feel like we are not good enough, or perhaps that we have done something wrong, if we cannot attain to what we can see as the "more important" roles.
God knows you are important, that's why he has surrounded you with people to build you up. He has given each of us teachers, prophets, shepherds, evangelists and apostles to follow, to guide us, to strengthen us and give us opportunities. If your role seems insignificant, think about the people that benefit from it.
If your role is sweeping the hall, setting up equipment, making tea, praying for others, chatting to someone who is sitting next to you, or if you are the one who is always there, You're job is important. YOU ARE IMPORTANT!
God has given those with the aforementioned gifts to you. To equip, help and embolden you as you carry out these works of ministry. You are responsible for 'building up the body of Christ - that's a pretty big responsibility!
As a church, and as a body, we need each of these roles to be filled by the faithful saints. Otherwise we won't be functioning properly. If you are one of those saints, I want to say thank you. We are all blessed by your contribution to the church community and maybe even the wider community. I am grateful to witness your faithful service, it warms my heart and I pray that I can serve God as faithfully as you do.
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