Body Builders Use Their Gifts

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. (1 Timothy 3:1 NIV)

Yesterday, we started to look at what it means to be a well-respected leader in God’s Church.  These leaders, in Biblical Days, were referred to as ἐπισκοπή.  Episcope simply means investigation, inspection, or overseer.  They were not only servants of people, and shepherds of flocks.  They were mentors to others leaders.  They were leaders of leaders, which merited them the descriptor “overseer” or “bishop.”  Overseers weren’t the only kind of mature, humble, consistent leaders.  Many types were found throughout God’s Church.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV)

Apostles were “sent ones,” roughly the equivalent of our missionaries and church planters today.  Prophets were “truth say-ers,” bringing revelation (truth) from God to people whether they wanted to listen or not.  Evangelists were “good news sharers,” helping people see the bad news that exists because of their rebellion against God and then helping us see the good news that God provided a way home even when we have been far away.  Pastors are shepherds, staying around to care for a flock long-term.  Teachers are explainers, helping us all have “light bulb” moments where we understand what God wants us to know.  

Each of these people are leaders.  All of them serve, pray, plant, and are humble.  All of them walk with God and help others do the same.  Each of them, however, has different gifts, callings, and roles to fill in Christ’s Body.  They are in unity with God and one another, yet diverse in their ministry styles.  Everything they do is intended to give glory to God and to build up the Body.  They are Body Builders.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. (Ephesians 4:14 NIV)

How about you?  Do you recognize Body Builders around us and throughout the world?  Are you a Body Builder?