House Church Talk - Re: Look who Jesus Chose

[Ross J Purdy]

Hi Glenn,

You Wrote:

> Does anyone think maybe that the gifts mentioned in Eph 4, while they
might
> very well speak of church leaders, might also speak of the Body in
general?
>
> For instance... There might very well be those gifted as evangelists... or
> Pastors... But they might not necessarily be elders or official leaders of
> the church.
>
> Just because one is gifted in a way like that and is called to equip the
> body for service does not necessarily mean they are also a 'governing
elder'
> or anything like that.
>
> I think part of the church has ignored this section of Ephesians because
> they think it is only talking to the 'clergy' and is not relevant to
> 'laity'.

I think you are right that Eph 4 is written off as a clergy only passage.
But I think gifts were already passing away by then. 1 Cor 12-14 and Rom 12
envisions all members as being gifted. The 4 ministry gifts of Eph 4 were
inherently leadership positions by their very nature and also because they
were intended for edifying other members in order that they might engage in
ministry too. But for me this seems all moot since I understand all the
ministry gifts to have passed away with the first century. (I think we can
consider many things as gifts from God today, just not those ministry gifts
of Rom 12, 1 Cor 12-14, and Eph 4.) Leadership is a matter of maturity,
faithfulness, training by example and mutual love and respect. Authority
(other than Christ) and gifts and/or talents, abilites, skills, seminary
training has nothing to do with leadership. Such leadership is fruitful and
the dross is left behind because they won't follow. (Discipline is not even
an issue then.)

For what its worth.

In Christ,
Ross Purdy