Why Ephesians Four Matters More Than Ever

In 2026, we're offering a new series titled "Activating Ephesians Four," focusing on the "Five-Fold Ministry" gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-13.

Emphasizing that these gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—are given by Christ to equip believers for service and to build up the body of Christ toward spiritual maturity and unity.

Here's a summary of the heart behind the series and conversations that will follow. Watch the video.

• The Foundation: I center the discussion on Ephesians 4:11-13, highlighting that Christ "gave gifts to men" after his ascension to empower the church.

• The Purpose of These Gifts: These specific gifts are not meant to create hierarchical leaders, but are designed to "prepare God's people for works of service" so the body can reach the "fullness of Christ". These gifts serve the body of Christ.

• Discovering Your Role: Posing the question, "Where do you fit in?" I suggest that the first step in discovering your Ephesians 4 gift is evaluating whether you have a deep hunger to serve, equip, and nurture other believers, helping them reach their destiny.

• Looking Ahead: This serves as an introduction to a larger exploration planned for 2026, which we will include guest teachers sharing different perspectives on these biblical giftings.

Discovery Questions

Ephesians 4:11 outlines five specific leadership gifts (often referred to as the "Apostolic Fivefold Ministry") intended to equip and build up the community: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers.

To help you identify which of these aligns with you, here are questions categorized by each gift.

1. The Apostle (The Pioneer)

Focus: Extending the reach and establishing new foundations.

• Do you often feel a "holy discontent" with the status quo and a drive to start something new?

• Do you find yourself thinking about how to expand the organization’s influence into unreached areas or markets?

• When you enter a room, do you naturally look for ways to build a firm foundation or structure where there is currently chaos?

2. The Prophet (The Seer)

Focus: Discernment, alignment, and truth-telling.

• Do you have a strong internal "radar" for when something is out of alignment with the organization's core values or mission?

• Are you often the one to speak up about "the elephant in the room," even if it’s uncomfortable?

• Do you feel a deep burden for the spiritual or ethical health of the group, prioritizing "doing right" over "doing more"?

3. The Evangelist (The Recruiter)

Focus: Storytelling, invitation, and growth.

• Does the thought of meeting new people and sharing the vision of your organization energize you rather than drain you?

• Do you naturally find ways to bridge the gap between "insiders" and "outsiders"?

• Are you often the person people point to when asked, "Who convinced you to join this team?"

4. The Pastor/Shepherd (The Nurturer)

Focus: Protection, care, and community health.

• When a project is finished, is your first concern the well-being and emotional state of the team members who did the work?

• Do you have a natural patience for listening to people’s personal struggles and helping them find healing?

• Do you prioritize the "unity of the flock" over the speed of the mission?

5. The Teacher (The Architect)

Focus: Clarity, wisdom, and systems.

• Do you get excited about taking complex ideas and breaking them down so that everyone can understand and apply them?

• Are you the person people go to when they want to know why a specific policy or belief exists?

• Does it frustrate you when you see people making mistakes because they haven't been adequately trained or shown the "big picture"?

How to use these questions:

1. Rank your "Yes" responses: Usually, a leader will feel a strong "tug" toward two of these. One is often your primary gift, and the other is your secondary "shadow" gift.

2. Look for the "Frustration Point": We often care most about what we feel is missing. If you are frustrated by a lack of order, you might be a teacher. If you are frustrated by a lack of growth, you might be an Evangelist.