Evangelistic Preaching Helps for the Ninth Sunday After Pentecost, Year B (August 6, 2006):

by Safiyah Fosua and Kwasi Kena

The fourth chapter of Ephesians contains Paul's oft quoted list of ministry gifts, sometimes referred to as the "five-fold ministry gifts": Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers. You may have heard this list recited so often that it invites a yawn. But Safiyah Fosua's comment in the August 6, 2006 Lectionary Preaching pageshould cause us to take a fresh look at this list of "five-fold ministry gifts." Regarding this list, Fosua notes:

1. 1 They are given to benefit the entire group (verse 12).
2. Some of the gifts listed are normally exercised outside the congregation (apostle, evangelist, and prophet), while others are normally exercised within the congregation (pastor and teacher).

A Fresh Look at "The List" Ministry gifts — Who needs them?
Early Christianity, like early Methodism, grew because of a strong apostolic ministry focus. The energy that propelled "the church" was its unceasing quest to share the good news that was urgent, compelling, and transformative. Fosua's comments provoke us to think about where and to whom we direct our ministry efforts. Notice about these gifts:

• The Apostle was known for establishing new faith communities.
• The Evangelist was known for raising Christ-awareness and creating an environment where people could find God.
• The Prophet, both in Old Testament times and New Testament times was known for unflinchingly speaking the counsel of God.
  
  All these normally exercised their gifts among people who were not long-time members of any congregation.
• Pastors and Teachers were needed to strengthen believers.

Consider how a Christian community composedof the "five-fold ministry gifts would function.

Does your local congregation know the collection of ministry gifts available for ministry? And, equally as important, does each person in the congregation know where his or her ministry gifts should be exercised? (Links to several helpful resources are provided below.)

Provoke Your Audience

When preaching this passage, raise provocative questions such as:

• Have you discovered the gifts that God has given you for ministry?
• Do you need some encouragement to reach out to others in ministry?
• We have an opportunity to be God's hands in this community. Are we ready to be more than church attendees?
• Has God given you a gift for hospitality, for service, or for teaching? How much are we willing to be God's answer to someone else's prayer?

Most conversations about spiritual gifts focus on what we can do to help within the local church. Paul's discussion of ministry gifts in Ephesians 4 raises relevant questions for present-day worshipers.

Key Questions for Worshipers

• Have I discovered what my ministry gifts are? Who needs them?
• Are my ministry gifts primarily for use within the congregation or with the community?
• Am I willing to be "on-call" as a conduit of God's grace?

As a faith response to the questions you raise in preaching, give members the opportunity to discover their ministry gifts, begin to exercise their gifts, and make definite commitments to use their gifts outside the church facility.

Resources

• The Church of Irresistible Influenceby Robert Lewis with Rob Wilkins.
  
• Urban Churches — Vital Signs: Beyond Charity Toward Justiceby Nile Harper
  
• 101 Ways to Reach Your Communityby Steve Sjogren
  
• 101 Ways to Help People in Needby Steve Sjogren
  
• Going Public with Your Faith: Becoming a Spiritual Influence at Workby William Carr Peel and Walt Larimore, M.D.

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Evangelistic Preaching Helps. Copyright © 2006 Discipleship Ministries, PO Box 340003, Nashville TN 37203-0003. Evangelism website: www.umcevangelism.org.