The 5-Fold Ministry

Recently Mike and I went hiking at the state park across the lake from our town. It was a beautiful Saturday morning which was already beginning to heat up, but thankfully we were under the cooling canopy of the trees. As we walked along, we noticed many parts of God’s creation - so many different trees (newer, tender ones and older, stronger ones), ferns, weeds, flowers, etc. The birds were singing and calling to each other. It was my kind of day!

But near the end of the trail, I happened to look at (God turned my eyes toward!) a group of trees. There were 5 trees about 10 inches in diameter forming a semi-circle, and a young sapling positioned at the head of the semi-circle. Can you see that below?

2 trees on the left and 3 trees on the right with the sapling near the 2 trees on the left

Yes, it was a God moment, and I was mesmerized by what God was telling me. He said that this was the 5-fold ministry surrounding one of his newest disciples. It looked as if the trees were teaching and protecting this disciple and mentoring it. Wow!

Let’s look at the scripture for the 5-fold ministry:

Verse 11 - Isn’t it just like God to surround us with those who can mentor us and teach us about His Word and take us deeper into the meaning of his truth - the real truths of the scriptures? We each have different learning styles, but God ensures that he will send those who can teach us in just the right way for the “style” God gave us.

But why did he do this? Look at verses 12 & 13. The work of these mentors will be for the:

1. perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

WHICH WILL RESULT IN: bringing all of us into the unity of the faith. Building and uniting the body of Christ into one unit!

Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Our God is a giving God because he gave us the ones to teach us and mentor us; to bring us into unity with one another. Now we must continue to learn and unite in His love!

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel