When we look at Ephesians 4:11-12, we can see that the very job description of the five fold gifts is to ‘equip the saints for the work of ministry’. Pretty clearly, they exist to train people to ‘do the stuff’ of ministry themselves. Authentic and mature fivefold ministers should passionately care about discipleship, coaching, mentoring, equipping and investing in others. This means that the biblical understanding of the five fold gifts is the very antithesis of much of what can be seen today. Contrary to what some may portray, it’s not actually about superstars, titles or one-man ministry models. They are hardly ministry models that are foremost about equipping. So what does healthy fivefold equipping look like?
Five Fold Gifts Reset, Reboot, Restore
The Greek word for ‘equip’ here, katartismos, (from the verb katartizo) has two meanings. Firstly, it can mean ‘to adjust, put in order or restore.’ Secondly, it can mean ‘to prepare or equip.’ Outside of scripture, the word was used as a medical term to set a fractured or dislocated bone back into place – joining two broken pieces together. Matthew uses the word in his gospel in Matthew 4:21 to describe James and John mending (katartizō) their nets. Paul uses the same word in 2 Corinthians 13:11 when encouraging the church to aim for restoration (katartizō). It was also used outside of scripture to describe a ship, or an army, being fitted for a mission or journey.
In that sense, we see that ‘equipping’ in Ephesians 4 means restoring, adjusting and realigning what has been broken or isn’t working. It is preparing and resourcing for tasks. In effect, ‘putting into right working order’. So five fold gifts will bring this ‘realignment’ in several ways, some of which could look like:
- adjusting foundational thinking
- correcting doctrine
- admonishing and rebuking individuals
- challenging sin
- discipling believers
Serving, or the Stage?
Each of the five fold gifts will have its own unique angle and slant on these things, as well as other ways of bringing katartismos to the church. But, in essence, the five fold gifts exist to help the people of God do what they are meant to. Simply put:
- Apostles equip the church to be apostolic in the world.
- Prophets equip the church to be prophetic in the world.
- Evangelists equip the church to be evangelistic in the world.
- Pastors equip the church to be pastoral in the world.
- Teachers equip the church to be able to teach in the world.
A church culture that embraces the five fold gifts will therefore model leadership equipping on the ground, instead of primarily through the stage or pulpit. Healthy fivefold cultures, innately because of what they are, have a lot of coaching and discipleship running through them because the healthy fivefold ministers seek to equip and replicate.
Secure leaders will understand that they don’t have to be the most gifted or anointed apostle/prophet/evangelist/pastor/teacher in the church, so they can release and empower others into their ministries. Insecure leaders will be threatened by anyone else more knowledgeable, gifted, or anointed than themselves, and will move towards control. So I’m convinced the church needs the culture created by healthy five fold gifts. The keyword there is healthy, of course. And how do you know if they are healthy?
Do they serve others by equipping, or do they want to be front and centre. That’s the test!
I’ve developed a FREE five fold gift assessment to discover your divine design and see which of the five fold expressions you are strongest in. You can find out more HERE.
