Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Teachers, pastors, evangelist, prophet and apostle - who are these people?

JR Woodward, from his book Creating a Missional Culture......

"Teachers help the community understand that the scripture was not primarily given for information, but for transformation. They help cultivate a learning environment by encouraging the congregation to inhabit the sacred text. They help the congregation realize that the Bible is not simply a book to be read, but a voice to be heard.

Pastors cultivate a healing environment by creating a space where people can be themselves, where they can freely share their brokenness with others, creating a sense of family within the congregation. This atmosphere of acceptance helps people to work through their past hurts and move toward wholeness and holiness.

Evangelists cultivate a welcoming environment through the ancient art of hospitality, thus making space for God to do his work. They encourage people to engage people on their own turf and help the congregation to proclaim the gospel by being witnesses. 

Cultivating a liberating environment is the work of prophets. They encourage the congregation to embody a holistic gospel, helping people experience liberation from their personal addictions and sins as well as speaking truth to power to bring liberation socially.

Finally, apostles cultivate a thriving environment by creating a holistic discipleship ethos within the congregation so God's people live out their missional nature as followers of Christ and multiply disciples, ministries and churches."


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