Leadership Development

⁷But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸Therefore it is said, ¹¹The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹²to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. Ephesians 4:7;11-13

Leadership in the church is essential to the future of God’s work in the world. Effective leadership is needed for local churches, denominations, and world-wide ministries. This is true today and it was true when the church was being established. In the letter to the Ephesians, we see a model of leadership that involves different leadership gifts and styles all working together.

The letter states that “each of us” was given grace according the measure of Christ’s gift. In other words, we have all been given something and effective leadership requires utilizing each person’s gift. The five-fold gifts in Ephesians are: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors (or shepherds), and teachers. The church needs leaders with all of these varied gifts which means a church needs more than one leader. A church will not realize its potential if it relies solely on a pastor. Rather, a combination of leaders both clergy and lay is required to develop a robust five-fold leadership team. A quick description of the five-fold leadership model may help exemplify these differences.

Apostles, like the original twelve, are those who have gifts to start new faith communities. This could entail a mission start congregation or creating a Christian movement. The key is that these leaders can build something from nothing. Prophets are those who speak God’s truth to God’s people. They comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Their ministry is often needed for renewal and repentance. Evangelists are gifted at personal conversion. They are able to share the gospel in compelling ways that help individuals take a step forward in faith. Pastors are those with gifts for caring for God’s people. They are attentive to the needs of the people and, like a shepherd, are on the lookout for those who are straying. Teachers are leaders who effectively share the content of the faith and can pass it on. They help others learn the nature of the Christian faith and encourage people to live it out.

Each of these gifts are very important for the church today and are all very different. As an ordained pastor, I know I have strengths in some of these areas and deficiencies on others. The key is to recognize that one person cannot do and be all things. I need to surround myself with a team that has complimentary gifts so that all areas are addressed. Those leaders need to be encouraged and empowered to use their gifts in meaningful and impactful ways.

A church that does not have all of these gifts present among their leadership will struggle to reach God’s potential for its work. It is evident that many congregations and denominations have favored some gifts and denigrated others. In my own tradition, there is very little discussion of leadership gifts for an apostle or evangelist. In my seminary training I was encouraged to preach well, administer the sacraments, visit my parishioners, and speak to justice issues. To the extent that evangelism was discussed at all, it was usually cast in a negative light. It does not take too much imagination to connect this attitude and the training pastors receive to the continual decline in mainline protestant denominations.

In the end, the goal of leadership in the church is to: “equip the saints for the work of ministry.” Leaders equip others to use their gifts to minister in the world. Leaders are not to be the doers of ministry but the empowerers of ministry. When leaders equip their people to do God’s work in the world the Body of Christ is built up and can be a stronger presence in the world. In order to reach this potential we need strong leaders with a variety of gifts, building people up to be God’s people in the world.

May God continue to bless the church and the work we do together!