You have to love the early church’s aversion to titles and honour. Perhaps it’s Ana approach you are more likely to adopt when persecution is a genuine reality, but I like to think that they had Jesus’ teaching ringing in their ears: XXXXXX……
The descriptions of Deacons (lit. Servants), Pastors (lit. shepherds)…etc denote a church that used descriptors to identify people in varying positions of function and leadership within the church.
Jump forward 2000 years and these descriptors have become titles – not always linked with the original descriptor they were given.
Minister – Servant, Apostle – Sent one, Pastor – Shepherd, Bishop – Overseer, Deacon – Servant
In Ephesians 4 Paul describes the following as gifts given by the risen Christ to equip the saints for works of ministry: Apostles, Teachers, Evangelists, Prophets.
Here’s a difference: Gifts are recognised and received, while Offices are proposed and appointed. This allows Paul to say: I may not be an apostle to everyone, but I am to you! At he same time in Jerusalem, James asks the church to propose those to serve as deacons whom they confirm and appoint with the laying on of hands.
One advantage is this: it frees us put to anticipate people gifts of different shapes and sizes.
Room for people to grow
Room for gifts on every scale
