Okay, that title is even worse than usual, but it was too good to pass up.
Related to my long-running question of whether I would become a pastor or teacher following seminary, I am fascinated by Ephesians 4:11-12.
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (ESV)
I love the combination of shepherd and teacher in verse 11 (and the likelihood -- but not certainty -- that the two words are meant to be taken together). Plus, I want to learn more about how the gifts mentioned in this verse operate in the life of the church.
One goal of this "Pastor Teacher" blog will be to explore verse 11 in detail. I'll file the posts under the category 'Ephesians 4:11-12' if you're interested in following along. Significant research exists on the passage, not to mention the resurgent interest in APEST gifts among church and leadership blogs.
The goals for our research will be:
Compilation of what various commentators and authors have concluded about the gifts in verse 11
Detailed study of each term in verse 11
Discussion of whether the terms represent (1) past roles, (2) current church leadership offices, (3) general church-wide functions, or (4) some combination of these
List of resources devoted to study of APEST gifts
Application of the research to local church life
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