Fivefold Ministry | Apostolic Culture (Part Two)
Attributes of the Fivefold Ministry gifts
A great way to that has helped me is seeing these ministry gifts is using “The Hand of God” example.
Pinky — Teachers
Ring Finger — Pastors
Middle Finger — Evangelists
Index Finger — Prophets
Thumb — Apostles
Apostles (Culture/Visionaries) — Thumb
Apostles are visionaries. They are consistently thinking about how they can cultivate the kingdom of heaven on earth. Apostles cultivate a thriving environment around them where one can feel empowered in their identity and also called to believe and dream for the impossible. They are pioneers or builders whose desire is to build kingdom culture.
Apostles are travelers or sent ones, whose mission is to help shift or cultivate kingdom culture in churches, regions, or influencers. Apostles are known to change atmospheres, empower people, walk in humility, and demonstrate the Spirit's power. Apostles have an incredible gift of faith. Apostles are continually challenging us to renew our minds or change our perspective through their revelatory messages.
Thumb: The thumb is not in opposition to or over the fingers, but it is designed to complete the full function and power of the hand. Apostles function in administration and (together with prophets) lay the foundation with proper doctrinal and spiritual structure.
Prophets (The Spirit Realm) — Index Finger
Prophets awaken the church to the unseen spiritual realm to partner with what heaven is saying and doing. Prophets cultivate an environment of freedom. Prophets celebrate identity, righteousness, purity, and holiness. Prophets call us to excellence and spiritual maturity. They discern the times and the seasons for the local body and members of the body.
God will usually first speak to the prophets before the changing of a season or shift. They have a healthy gift of prophecy, edifying, exhortation, and correction in ways that help transform the way we think and see things.
Index Finger: The forefinger is often called the pointer finger — the prophet functions in revelation and point the way for believers. The office of the prophet is different than the gift of prophecy — it carries a governmental authority with higher responsibility.
Evangelists (The Lost) — Middle Finger
Evangelists are 100% after the lost. They desire to preach the gospel. Nothing is more important than lost souls. To the evangelist, the harvest is crucial because Jesus is worthy of it. In everything they do, Jesus has to be the very center of it all. Evangelists cultivate welcoming environments where people from all walks of life feel loved. They walk in great faith, gifts of miracles, are the best storytellers, and burn with a desire to see the lost found.
One of the roles of an evangelist is to equip the saints in evangelism. Having an evangelist around will make it difficult for a local church to sit inside the four walls of the church. The evangelist is always emphasizing the "Go." You'll rarely find evangelists in churches or conference settings; their mission is outside the church walls.
Middle Finger: The middle finger extends the furthest on the hand — it represents the outreach ministry extended to evangelize the world.
Pastors (The Church) — Ring Finger
Pastors have a great love for the church. They truly value and see the best in people. They are continually encouraging people to do their best, offering a relentless passion for their sheep. Often for apostles and prophets, they can sometimes be too focused on heaven's agenda and evangelists to focus on the lost.
However, for the pastors or shepherds they care for people with a grace that demonstrates the Father's heart. Pastors' environment calls people to be made whole in their marriage, finances, and emotions. The pastor takes the church and makes it feel more like a family.
Ring Finger: The ring finger is the wedding ring finger, symboling the pastor’s commitment to His flock. Prophets and evangelists might come and go, but the pastor is bound to the local saints in a shepherding relationship.
Teachers (The Word of God) — Pinky
Teachers cultivate a revelatory environment. Often, teachers have been misclassified by being called apostles. The critical mistake made is this; Apostles teach revelatory teachings usually inspired by either supernatural encounters such as dreams or visions, whereas teachers teach from being inspired by the Word of God. Both are spiritual revelations; however, they come very differently to apostles and teachers.
Teachers are known to develop discipleship methods where people grow in the Bible and what it says about them. Teachers keep us all rooted. Especially in environments where the supernatural is natural, teachers keep us in line with doctrine and biblical truths.
Pinky: Although it’s the smallest finger, the little finger is essential and provides balance. The teacher grounds the church in truth through instruction in the principles of the Word of God.
What can we learn from this?
1.) It is not for us to categorize people in gifting or callings. God will use whom He pleases, and He isn’t looking for the “right” personality that fits the gifting. Each gifting will manifest differently, but the anointing and attention will be the same.
2.) Belonging to a fivefold church or apostolic environment is crucial for our walk. Fivefold culture revolves around the presence of God first and foremost. That must be our top priority in our walk.
Lord, how can we make your name known today? Lord, how can we see your glory revealed on earth as it is in heaven?
In other words, many have said, “don’t be so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly good.” However, the fivefold culture says, “be so heavenly minded that you are earthly good.” Fivefold perspectives first think of the things of heaven. The same call Paul gave to the Colossians
