I was reading a book by Danny Silk called the 'Culture of Honor'. Yes, it is by an American, but I would implore you not to make any unnecessary assumptions based on their culture! I say this because i've met a few people who have been quite anti-American for some reason. As for me, I think we can learn things from other cultures and I appreciate the enthusiasm that American culture seems to have. Tangent! Anyway, I was reading this book and came to a section that was talking about the 'fivefold ministries'.
I had heard this mentioned a few days before at a wedding and didn't think much of it, as i just hadn't really heard the phrase much as i recall. The church family that i'm currently part of is part of a group of churches that talk a lot about 'apostolic spheres' and so there was an element of familiarity in the term relating to apostles. But apart from that i'm not sure i was familiar with 'fivefold ministries'.
The chapter in 'Culture of Honor' included this verse from the historical document written by a guy called Paul to the church at Ephesus. It reads as follows:
Ephesians 4 verse 11 "Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers."
I was particularly struck by how Danny went into and explained the different roles people in leadership of churches have. It was interesting to explore and think about what a diverse team encompassing all these roles would look like and how it would affect a church family.
Today it has got me thinking about diversity. I have heard much teaching on how important diversity is and how imperative it is to spend quality time with people who are not like me. Whilst i believe this is true in the sense that I must be loving all people and stepping out of my comfort zone, i don't think that diversity in and of itself is something to be pursued. I mean, I believe that diversity is a a byproduct of radical love, rather than a pursuit in and of itself. If I am loving like Jesus, then the outworking of that will not just be me loving people who i like, who are interested in the same things as me etc. But that divine overflow of knowing Gods love and thus being able to love everyone as God does will have a natural diverse nature. I believe our first focus should be God, as Jesus is recorded saying "love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. Love your neighbour as yourself."
Anyways, I highly recommend this book. Culture of Honor, by Danny Silk. Buy it, borrow it, read it. It may change how you think about dealing with confrontation, conflict, leadership and Americans. ;) Jokes aside, I think this is a great book for any person; spiritual, religious or not at all. It does have some church stuff in there, but it's way more to it than that and I reckon it could impact you, whoever you are.
{The same sun shines on us all, we can bask in it, we can feel it's prescence. If we could touch it we would die. If we look at it straight on, it could blind us. Because of the sun, things continue to grow and it awakens nature with each new day. Just as the sun does this, so there are parallels with God. Or rather, God is the truest 'sun' and the sun is but a creative shadow of the One who made it. God keeps me going through His son Jesus.}
[Sacramento River, California, USA]
[Dinton Lake, Wokingham, UK]
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