We are all called with a purpose. God has created us all to fulfill his will for our individual lives. Just because you are not called to be a preacher does not mean you do not have a purpose in God. Our individual purposes work collectively together to Glorify the Lord. But if you are called to preach the Gospel and Kingdom message of Christ Jesus it will fall in one of these five categories: Apostle, Prophet, Pastor,Evangelist, and Teacher which is called the fivefold ministry.
Ephesians 4:11-12
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” The Lord has appointed us to the fivefold ministry according his will for our lives and He is the one who chooses the office we are chosen for. The fivefold ministry is not something you go into because you want to try it or you think it is prestigious but it is a ministry you must be called to and chosen by God. If you feel that you are called to the fivefold ministry here in America. You must be under a local church Pastor or Leader of that church which could also be an Apostle, Prophet, or Pastor. The Apostle, Prophet, or Pastor you are under and learning from must be ordained. An ordained Apostle, Prophet or Pastor is someone who has passed a testing from clergy and had a commentary service where other church leader have laid hands on them and prayed for them. At the end of the service the Apostle, Prophet or Pastor is ordained given special papers signed by another ordained Apostle, Prophet or Pastor. Apostle, Prophet and Pastors are usually those who lead churches and must be ordained to lead a according to American laws. While Evangelist, Missionaries, Ministers and Teachers are usually church leaders within the governing body of a church. A church is a collective body of believers or gather together regularly to meet and worship religiously. Ministry is simply just defined as service, or meaning to serve, in this case it means to serve the Lord. Now as I have stated previously Ministers, Evangelists, Missionaries, and Teachers usually serve under an Apostle, Prophet, or Pastor that is ordained. However Ministers, Evangelist, Missionaries are issued license, they must undergo training, take a test, and the pay the fee for a Ministers, Evangelist, or Missionary License. Pastors, Apostles, and Prophets can also be licensed in the same manner. Once someone in the fivefold ministry is ordained this only happens once, and stands forever as long as you hold the office. As for teachers, teachers are not license. Teachers usually undergo back discipleship training upon becoming a member of a local church. Now each new member of a church usually goes through a new members class or a discipleship class which details the beliefs and practices of the local church they have joined. Again this is the basic way in which offices are granted in America through the church.
1 Timothy 3:1-13 (Qualifications of Church Leaders and Teachers):
“Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus”.
Prayer:
Father we thank you for this time in your Holy Scriptures, open up the eyes of our understanding, so that we may walk in your ways. We pray that in all our getting we would get an understanding. Continue to Reveal yourself to us Jesus. We ask for more of you, in the name of Jesus. Have your divine way and reveal your will to us. Holy Spirit teach us all things, guide us, we submit to you in Jesus name we pray Amen.
