In The Eye of the Storm

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                                  Part II                       printer friendly     
The Second Phase of the Church
Corporate Relationship Concept

Chapter 7

God Gives Leadership Gifts
to Equip the Saints

     God has called every believer in the Body of Christ to be a participator, not merely a spectator. Everyone has a vital place and job to do as we serve each other. God has given spiritual gifts to each person (you) to be used for the glory of God and the growth of the church. If we are not utilizing and flowing in the anointing of our giftings, the body of Christ becomes sickly and unhealthy.

     Like the talent in Matthew 25, some Christians' spiritual gifts are still buried in the ground. We must discover what our gifts are and use them. The degree to which we discover and use our gifts will determine how well the task will be accomplished.

     The New Testament provides a listing of twenty-one of the many functions and ministries necessary for the growth and expression of the Body of Christ. Some of these gifts include prophesying, serving, teaching, exhorting, giving, leading and showing mercy (Romans 12:6-8).

      Other gifts are the gifts of the Spirit-word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, distinguishing of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues (I Corinthians 12:8-10).

Ministry Gifts

     In this chapter, we are going to take a look at leadership responsibilities (often called ministry gifts) God has given to equip and edify the Body of Christ. We will not only include the five listed in Ephesians 4:11—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. In addition, we will discuss three more important offices recognizable in the church— bishops, deacons, and helps.

     All of these responsibilities require that the person has the appropriate spiritual gift to perform this responsibility. I am not inclined to call them positions, instead, they are job descriptions to describe the functions a person performs. Once a leader bears fruit, he will be recognized and given a title for the work he does in the corporate church.

     For example, the apostle needs to have the gift of apostle, the pastor must have the gift of pastor, and so forth. When the body of Christ is functioning according to recognized spiritual gifts, there is an incredible anointing and power in the body, and the church can grow and move "full steam ahead!"

   But how does a leader get to be a leader? How are his gifts recognized? It starts in the trenches. In a small group setting, a person simply serves in some place of ministry. He allows God to shape his character. As he bears spiritual fruit in his life, his gifts and anointings become apparent. He then is given greater responsibility.

  While he ministers within his job description and calling, he is able to train others to do the work of ministry and everyone working with him begins to function in their God-given giftings. Soon, it is apparent to all that this person is an apostle or teacher, or prophet or has the potential to oversee a group of people as a bishop, and so on.

Accountability to God and Others

   The goal is for the body of Christ to move forward in love and Holy Spirit power "until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13). This can only happen when believers serve one another in love and are built together with others so that we are all functioning together as one body. Everyone in the body of Christ needs to be interconnected and give an account to God and others regarding how they live their Christian lives.

     A leader must also give an account to the Lord and his spiritual advisor for those under his spiritual oversight. For each ministry gift below, you will notice a pattern of interconnectedness as accountability flows throughout the body. If a leadership gift of the church becomes "out of joint" with the rest of the body of Christ, they are spiritually dislocated. That is why it is so important for each gift to remain connected or accountable to God and other believers.

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