Gifts Not Titles

Jesus Christ has given these as gifts to the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.

"Now these are the gifts

Christ gave to the church:

the apostles,

the prophets,

the evangelists,

and the pastors

and teachers."

Ephesians 4:11 (NLT)

Is any one of these gifts more important than the others? Of course not! Just as our bodies have many parts, and each part has a special function, so it is with the body of Christ — His church.

Even though the thumb is small, is it not vital?

There are many parts to the body of Christ, but we all belong to each other. No one member is more important than another, and we are not to esteem some members over others.

"Just as our bodies have many parts

and each part has a special function,

so it is with Christ's body.

We are many parts of one body,

and we all belong to each other."

Romans 12:4-5 (NLT)

Why then do we take the one gift — those who are pastors, and give them titles? We even confer the title "Pastor" on people in the church who do not fulfil the role of pastor as described in the Scriptures. Each year we come up with new prefixes for the title "Pastor." It's gotten so ridiculous, it's embarrassing. It seems as if every paid or educated worker in the church aspires to this honorary title that man bestows — a title that distinguishes him/her from the rest. However, it was never God's intention for some members of the body of Christ to elevate themselves above other members of the body of Christ. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are all gifts of God. Not one of these gifts is to be used as a distinguishing title.