Chapter: Tools, Not Titles – Equipping the Saints to Become Like Christ

- Article by Michael Sitko

The church today is buzzing with conversations about roles, titles, and callings. People are eager to discover their place in the grand tapestry of God’s kingdom, often asking, “What is God’s will for my life?” or “Am I called to be an apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, or teacher?” These questions, while well-intentioned, can sometimes miss the heart of what God desires for His people. As Bill Johnson so poignantly stated, “People often come to me and ask me to pray for them, that they would discover God’s will for their life. I already know God’s will for their life – heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, cleanse lepers. They say, ‘Yes, but I need to know if I should be a schoolteacher or a missionary.’ I say, ‘Well, just pick one, and then heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, cleanse lepers.’” This perspective cuts through the clutter of our modern obsession with titles and redirects us to the mission of every believer: to live like Jesus, to embody His ministry, and to reflect His character.

In Ephesians 4:11-15, the Apostle Paul provides a framework that helps us understand the purpose of the five-fold ministry gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers. These roles, often referred to as the APEST gifts, are not the end goal but tools in the hands of God to shape His people into the likeness of Christ. Paul writes, “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, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…” (Ephesians 4:11-15, ESV).

This passage is a clarion call, not to chase after titles or to define ourselves by a specific role, but to understand that these gifts exist to serve a greater purpose: equipping the saints, building up the body, fostering unity, and bringing every believer into maturity so that they reflect “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” The focus is clear—God’s ultimate desire is for His people to grow up into Christ, to become like Him in thought, word, and deed. The five-fold ministry gifts are not badges of honor or positions of prestige; they are tools to help the church become a living, breathing expression of Jesus in the world.

The Purpose of the Five-Fold Gifts

Let’s break down the four key roles Paul assigns to these gifts in Ephesians 4:12-13:

To Equip the Saints for the Work of Ministry
The primary function of apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers is to prepare and empower every believer to do the work of ministry. This is not about creating a hierarchy where only the “gifted” do the work of God. Instead, it’s about equipping every member of the body to step into their calling as ministers of the gospel. In Matthew 10:8, Jesus commissions His disciples with a clear mandate: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.” This was not an instruction reserved for the elite; it was the mission given to all who follow Him. The five-fold gifts exist to teach, train, and model this kind of ministry so that every believer can walk in the supernatural power and love of Christ.
For Building Up the Body of Christ
The church is not a collection of individuals chasing personal callings; it is a body, interconnected and interdependent, designed to grow together. The five-fold gifts work in harmony to strengthen and edify the church, ensuring that every member is built up in their faith and equipped to contribute to the whole. In 1 Corinthians 12:7, Paul reminds us, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” The gifts of the Spirit, including the five-fold roles, are given not for personal glory but for the collective strength and growth of the body.
To Bring Unity of Faith and Knowledge
Unity is a hallmark of the mature church. The five-fold gifts work to align the church in faith and in the knowledge of Jesus, ensuring that believers are not divided by competing doctrines or personal agendas. Jesus prayed for this unity in John 17:21, saying, “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” The apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, and teacher each bring unique perspectives that, when woven together, create a unified understanding of who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him.
To Bring Maturity to the Church
The ultimate goal of the five-fold ministry is to bring the church to maturity, to the point where every believer reflects “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” This is not about achieving perfection in our own strength but about growing into the likeness of Jesus through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 4:19, Paul expresses his longing for the church, saying, “My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” The five-fold gifts are midwives, laboring to see Christ fully formed in every believer.

Becoming Like Jesus, Not Chasing Titles

When we read Paul’s words in Ephesians, we see a clear parallel to Jesus’ own commission to His disciples. In John 20:21, Jesus declares, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” Jesus was sent to reveal the Father, to demonstrate His kingdom through signs and wonders, and to make disciples who would do the same. The five-fold gifts are given to the church to ensure that every believer can step into this same mission. The goal is not to become an apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, or teacher, but to become like Jesus. These roles are simply tools—gifts from Christ to His church—to teach, instruct, and model what it means to live as He lived.

Consider the life of Jesus as described in the Gospels. He healed the sick (Mark 1:34), raised the dead (John 11:43-44), cast out demons (Matthew 8:16), and cleansed lepers (Luke 17:12-14). He taught with authority (Matthew 7:29), made disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), and revealed the heart of the Father (John 14:9). This is the ministry that every believer is called to, regardless of their specific role or gifting. The five-fold ministry exists to train and empower the church to walk in this same anointing, to live as Jesus lived, and to represent Him to a world in need.

Too often, we get caught up in the pursuit of titles. We want to know, “Am I an apostle? A prophet? A teacher?” But this misses the point. God’s goal is not to create a church full of professional ministers with impressive titles. His desire is to raise up sons and daughters who reflect the character, power, and love of Jesus. The five-fold gifts are not the destination; they are the scaffolding that supports the construction of Christlikeness in every believer. As Paul writes in Colossians 1:28, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” The measure of success for an apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, or teacher is not how many people recognize their title, but how many believers they have equipped to live like Jesus.

The Role of the Five-Fold in Forming Christ in Us

Each of the five-fold gifts brings a unique contribution to the process of forming Christ in the church. Apostles lay foundations, pioneering new works and establishing kingdom principles (1 Corinthians 3:10). Prophets bring revelation, speaking God’s heart and calling the church to alignment with His purposes (Amos 3:7). Evangelists proclaim the gospel, drawing people into an encounter with Jesus (Acts 8:5-6). Shepherds nurture and care for the flock, fostering community and spiritual growth (1 Peter 5:2-3). Teachers ground the church in truth, equipping believers with the knowledge of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Together, these gifts create an environment where every believer can grow into the fullness of Christ.

Imagine a church where these gifts are operating in harmony. The apostle breaks new ground, calling the church to step into uncharted territory for the kingdom. The prophet hears from God, offering direction and correction to keep the body aligned with His will. The evangelist reaches out to the lost, bringing new believers into the fold. The shepherd cares for the spiritual and emotional needs of the community, ensuring no one is left behind. The teacher provides sound doctrine, grounding the church in truth so that they are not swayed by false teachings. In this environment, every believer is equipped, empowered, and encouraged to live out the ministry of Jesus.

Practical Steps to Grow in Christlikeness

So how do we, as believers, position ourselves to grow into the fullness of Christ under the guidance of the five-fold ministry? Here are some practical steps:

Seek God Daily
Take time each day—even if it’s just five minutes—to ask God what He wants to teach you. In John 16:13, Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. As you seek God, trust that He will lead you to the people and resources that will help you grow.
Engage with the Five-Fold Gifts
If your local church doesn’t have all five gifts actively operating, be proactive in seeking out resources. Listen to podcasts, watch sermons on YouTube, or read books by trusted apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers. Attend conferences where these gifts are represented, and allow their ministry to shape and equip you.
Connect with a Local Church
Community is essential for growth. Find a local church where you can be in fellowship with other believers, practice what God is teaching you, and serve others. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.”
Practice the Ministry of Jesus
Step out in faith to do the works Jesus did. Pray for the sick, share the gospel, show compassion to the broken, and disciple others. As you step out, the Holy Spirit will empower you, and the five-fold gifts will provide the guidance and training you need to grow in effectiveness.

Conclusion: Encountering Jesus Through His People

God’s ultimate goal for His church is not to produce a hierarchy of titled ministers but to raise up sons and daughters who reflect the fullness of Christ. The five-fold gifts are tools in His hands, given to equip, build up, unify, and mature the church until every believer looks like Jesus. When someone encounters you, they should encounter Jesus—His love, His power, His truth. As you position yourself under the instruction of faithful men and women carrying these gifts, you will grow each day to be more like Him, both in thought and in deed.

Let’s move beyond the pursuit of titles and embrace the call to become like Jesus. Let’s allow the apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers to equip us, not so we can claim a role, but so we can live out the ministry of Christ. And let’s commit to living in such a way that when the world meets us, they meet Jesus—both in us and through us.