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You must have heard of the term evangelist, but have you ever met one?
What images comes to mind when you think of an evangelist? Maybe you are influenced by the Hollywood stereotypes?
Let me take on the task to bring out some clarity and explanation, what the characteristics are of an evangelist.
Historically the church has not been good in adapting the five-fold ministry; Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd/Pastor and Teacher. We read about this ministry in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians chapter 4:11;
“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 fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:11
The Bible talks about the gifts of services, or positions, for the functioning of the body of the church. What we can see in today’s church, is that almost every church, uses only two of them and that is the Shepherd and the Teacher.
When you stretch out your hand, you can see your hand has five fingers. How useful is it if you only use two of your fingers and not all of them?
The gifts of services are five;
1. the apostle, 2. the prophet, 3. the evangelist, 4. the shepherd and 5. the teacher.
Many of us are a mixture of them all, but usually we are stronger in one or two of them. Continue reading “What is an Evangelist?”
