Paul takes us “behind the curtain” to show us God’s plan to rescue the world through Jesus and His church. Ephesians is about equipping and releasing all members of the community to do the work of ministry, not paid professionals. The point of Ephesians 4 is that it requires five “ingredients” of church being united together to function as “church” in a way that Jesus is glorified. There are five kinds of people mentioned in 4:11- Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers.

We believe that every believer functions “primarily” in one of these ways. Leaders help people to identify their function and then equip and release them to help “build up the body.” Think of these five functions being the ingredients that make “church—”just like making fresh bread.

Apostles are like the flour. They unite the other four ingredients. Apostles are big picture strategists that are constantly looking to build. Not all leaders are apostolic but all people who are apostolic are leaders (Rev. 2:2, Junia in Rom 16).

Prophets are the water. They bring fresh vision and life to the other four ingredients. Prophets see what God is doing and saying and are able to speak that in a way that encourages the body.

Evangelists are the yeast giving growth to the body. Evangelists are constantly thinking about those outside of the body and about how the body can connect to them.

Pastors are like the sugar in bread. Sugar fuels the yeast. Pastors are primarily concerned about the sheep and particularly about relationships. They are protectors and guiders.

Teachers are like salt. In bread salt prevents the yeast from overgrowing. Teachers are primarily concerned with truth. Teachers run everything through the filter of God’s written word. They take complicated truths and make them clear.

Each person in our House Church is not only helpful but a necessary part of our fulfilling our mission. It seems like Paul went overboard in Ephesians to make sure we know that we are equal recipients of God’s grace and that we are all one in Jesus. He must have known that it would be very hard for such a diverse group to get along. As we talk about our differences we free each other to function in the unique way that God designed us.

We know that apostles and evangelists tend to be more “pioneering” and that pastors and teachers tend to be “settlers.” It is so wonderful that God built both tendencies into His church. We not only have the ability to take new ground, but to keep the ground we have!