Exploring the Ministerial Calling: An In-Depth Evaluation of Principles and Applications

The foundation for evaluating ministerial calling can be found in the list of spiritual gifts outlined in Ephesians 4:11-13. This list, according to various scholars, serves as a catalyst for other similar lists (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 15) (Hirsch, 2017).

Paul writes that Christ has equipped His body with individuals designed to function in distinct roles:

“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: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13, KJV).

This passage emphasizes that every believer has a calling and a role to play in building the church. As Alan Hirsch (2015) argues, all the roles identified in Ephesians 4 must be active for a true movement of multiplication to flourish. Hirsch notes that while individuals may exhibit aspects of all these roles, they tend to gravitate toward one or two. These roles—referred to as APEST (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, Teachers)—equip believers for works of service, enabling the body of Christ to reach maturity.

1. Understanding the Fivefold Ministry (APEST)

The five roles presented in Ephesians 4:11-13 are central to the church's function and growth. Each role contributes uniquely to the development of the body of Christ.

1.1 Apostle

• Primary Focus: Initiating new ministries, turning moments into movements, and safeguarding the church's missional DNA.

• Characteristics: Apostles emphasize expansion, think multiplication over addition, and seek to establish foundational frameworks for growth.

• Biblical Examples: Beyond the Twelve, the New Testament refers to individuals like Barnabas (Acts 14:4-14) and Andronicus and Junia (Romans 16:7) as apostles.

1.2 Prophet

• Primary Focus: Challenging the status quo and calling the church back to covenant faithfulness.

• Characteristics: Prophets are reformers who provoke change and inspire deeper alignment with God’s will. They often highlight injustices and envision a better way forward.

• Biblical Examples: Agabus (Acts 11:28; 21:10) serves as an example of a New Testament prophet.

1.3 Evangelist

• Primary Focus: Persuading people to follow Jesus and recruiting individuals into the faith community.

• Characteristics: Evangelists naturally share the gospel and spend significant time with non-believers, building relationships and fostering decisions for Christ.

• Biblical Examples: Philip (Acts 8:26-40) exemplifies the role of an evangelist.

1.4 Pastor

• Primary Focus: Nurturing relationships and providing spiritual care within the faith community.

• Characteristics: Pastors create safe, transformative spaces for discipleship and fellowship, emphasizing love and relational health.

• Biblical Examples: Shepherds like Timothy demonstrate pastoral care (1 Timothy 4:6-16).

1.5 Teacher

• Primary Focus: Clarifying biblical truths and training others to obey God’s commands.

• Characteristics: Teachers possess deep understanding and communication skills, equipping the church with sound doctrine and practical application.

• Biblical Examples: Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus model the teaching role (1 Timothy 1:3-7; Titus 2:1-10).

2. Challenges in Applying APEST in Churches

Despite the biblical emphasis on all five roles, contemporary churches often neglect apostles, prophets, and evangelists, prioritizing pastors and teachers instead. This imbalance leads to several issues:

• Overemphasis on Internal Activities: Churches focus on teaching and fellowship at the expense of outreach.

• Missional Stagnation: Without apostolic, prophetic, and evangelistic roles, churches struggle to expand and fulfill their external mission.

• Cultural Limitations: Northern Hemisphere churches often lack these missional roles, while Southern Hemisphere churches, though more evangelistic, still face challenges in fostering apostolic and prophetic leadership.

This disparity impacts the Adventist movement’s momentum, resulting in internal-focused programs, resource allocation, and a restrictive understanding of mission.

3. Practical Applications of APEST for Ministerial Evaluation

3.1 Identifying the Primary Calling

Understanding one’s primary APEST role is essential for effective ministry. By identifying these gifts, leaders can align their strengths with the church’s mission and build balanced ministry teams.

3.2 Balancing the Fivefold Ministry

Church planting teams must intentionally integrate all five roles to foster maturity and mission effectiveness. A team that neglects any of these roles risks internal imbalance and external ineffectiveness.

3.3 Cultivating a Missional DNA

Restoring the missional focus of apostles, prophets, and evangelists can transform churches into movements that emphasize multiplication over maintenance. This approach prioritizes outreach, discipleship, and the priesthood of all believers.

4. Rebuilding the Adventist Movement’s Momentum

To regain its missional DNA, the Adventist Church must address internal-focused tendencies by:

• Reducing over-reliance on internal programs and hierarchical structures.

• Encouraging external engagement and contextualized theology.

• Empowering lay members to participate in all five roles.

Church planting provides a fertile ground for this shift, creating spaces where APEST roles can thrive and fostering a culture of multiplication.

Conclusion

The evaluation of ministerial calling, as outlined in Ephesians 4:11-13, provides a robust framework for building effective and balanced church leadership. By embracing the full spectrum of APEST roles, churches can move beyond maintenance-focused models toward vibrant, missional movements. Integrating this biblical vision equips the body of Christ to reach maturity and fulfill its calling in the world.

References

1. Champlin, R. N. New Testament Commentary: A Verse-by-Verse Explanation. São Paulo: Hagnos, 2014.

2. Costas, Orlando E. Evangelización Contextual: Fundamentos Teológicos y Pastorales. San José: Sebila, 1986.

3. Hirsch, Alan. 5Q: Reactivating the Original Intelligence and Capacity of the Body of Christ. Columbia, MA: 100Movements, 2017.

4. Hirsch, Alan. Disciplism: Reimagining Evangelism Through the Lens of Discipleship. Exponential, 2014.

5. Sanches, Regina F. Teologia da Missão Integral: História e Método da Teologia Evangélica Latino-Americana. São Paulo: Reflexão, 2009.