Evangelists: continued
I have witnessed with my own eyes, the butchering of God's evangelists at the hands of a few pastors. Out of jealousy, more than one evangelist has been wounded because they flowed with great power!
Brethren, this should never happen. On the sheer basis of love for our fellow man, this should never happen. For we are one body, and though we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office, yet there should be no schism in the body (refer to Romans 12:4 and 1 Corinthians 12:25).
Evangelists can do it all (witness, preach, lay hands, prophesy, heal, etc.), like a mobile church. But until the Lord tells them to pastor a church, they are constantly on the move.
They are equipped to draw and convert new Christians. But where do the new converts go to learn and grow? They should be directed to the local church! That's where God has set some as pastors to feed the sheep, restore them and protect them. This is how the pastor and evangelist work together. So, there should be no schism in the Body. Why fight the gift that helps your church to grow?
Again, the gift of the evangelist ministers in two ways:
1) Evangelists lead the lost to Christ [and then to the local church] and;
2) Evangelists revive the saints [which should make saints want to do more for
the Lord and for the local church].
(Revive = perk up, revitalize, breathe life into, refresh, stimulate, restore.)
Any dry, lifeless church would do well to receive the gift of the evangelist to revive and refresh the members of healthy churches. If your church is a hotbed of chaos with members fighting and disliking each other; leaders at each other's throats and so forth, don't think bringing in an evangelist is the cure all. (I say this to prevent any abuses of the evangelists.)
A true revival would be in order, but don't look to the evangelist to be able to untangle the webs of chaos. They may be able to discern and offer credible spiritual guidance, however, you will need mature, five-fold prophets to cue in on the root causes, call out sin, and set that kind of chaos in order. They (prophets) are bold, just like Nathan the Prophet who chided King David with the Words of the Lord (2 Samuel 12:1-13). However, it would be wise to bring in more than one prophet, just like they did in the Old Testament. Prophets are anointed to set things in order, especially those things that pertain to living righteously before God, and our treatment of one another.
Ephesians 4:16 (NIV) says,
From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
EVANGELISTS WALK HUMBLY
Just because someone has a soft voice and a quiet spirit, doesn't mean they are a pushover. As the Lord leads people to open their doors to you, enter humbly, not running over them because "you are in charge and know what to do." You are still a guest in “their house” and you must honor the house rules. Find out more about the church and pastor before you accept the invitation. Ask questions that are applicable to your style of ministry, questions like: does your church speak in tongues? Do you allow laying on of hands, prophecy and healing to go forth?
The Lord delights in all who walk humbly and uprightly, whether minister or layman. Humility and integrity (uprightness) are still backbones of the Christian walk and apply to each calling and each Christian. (See footnotes)
Those of us who teach, let us teach young evangelists how to walk in order, not using the strength of their voices to inadvertently offend and/or undermine those in authority or in whose church they are a guest.
A MESSAGE TO ALL
Do not fear the coming of the fully operational five-fold ministry. Fear is not of God. If you fear any of the five-fold ministry offices, I hope this knowledge will release you from that bondage.
Finally, all of the Five-Fold Officers have the ability to teach, preach, evangelize and prophesy, just like all basketball players can dribble and shoot the ball. But each ball player, like each five-fold minister, has a unique set of skills in which they are particularly gifted so they can operate effectively in their positions.
Body of Christ, let us receive the gift of God's evangelists!
Give love, live love...
Apostle Tracey
Footnotes:
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23:12
For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalms 84:11
Source of information: The Holy Spirit to his servant, Apostle Tracey Smith.
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Apostle Tracey Smith is available for speaking engagements and ministry on the five-fold ministry offices. She is pastor of Radiant Light Truth and Learning Center, a home-church in Austell, GA. Send emails to FLMezine@gmail.com. Write us at PO Box 1233, Mableton, GA 30126.
© 2008 First Lady Magazine, LLC. All rights reserved. May not be duplicated without written permission. Click here or send all email requests to FLMezine@gmail.com. Or write: First Lady Magazine at PO Box 1233, Mableton, GA 30126.
Revised 8/7/09 by Apostle Tracey Smith
