God - Gathering - Government

In our fellowship this year, we are focusing on raising ministers rather than simply increasing membership. Today’s discussion centered on identifying different categories of ministers in the body of Christ. We categorized them into three distinct groups, each with unique roles and reporting structures.



1. Ministers on Behalf of God.

These are the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, as outlined in Ephesians 4:11. According to Paul, these offices are appointed by Christ Himself, often in a private encounter between the appointee and God. This pattern is seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments.  


Their primary role is to equip the saints for ministry in their respective spheres of influence (Ephesians 4:12). Unlike other ministerial positions, those holding these offices are accountable directly to God and not to human institutions.  


2. Ministers on Behalf of the Gathering.

This category includes bishops, elders, and deacons, roles that are appointed by men within the fellowship. These positions are not personal callings but corporate responsibilities assigned by the church community.  


- Deacons handle administrative matters (Acts 6:1-6).  

- Elders provide spiritual oversight (Titus 1:5-9).  

- Bishops offer general leadership within the congregation (1 Timothy 3:1-7).  


Unlike ministers appointed by God, these leaders are accountable to the congregation that elects them. The letters to Timothy and Titus provide clear qualifications for selecting men for these offices.  


3. Ministers on Behalf of the Government/Institutions.

This group includes reverends, chaplains, and other officially recognized titles not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. They are often employed by institutions such as denominations, schools, hospitals, or the government.  


Their responsibilities frequently include conducting weddings, burials and other institutional related events, which are government-regulated activities. The official certificates issued for these ceremonies bear the seal of state authority, distinguishing their work from that of the other two categories.  


In our discussion, we noted that if a hierarchy were to be established, the most valuable offices would be those appointed by God, followed by those appointed by the church, with government-recognized ministers ranking last.


Our key takeaway:  

“It is better to be recognized by Christ than by civil system.”


This insight challenged us to prioritize divine calling over human recognition as we seek to raise true ministers in the body of Christ.



What's your thoughts on this? Are we on track or we've missed something somewhere? 

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