This document discusses the five main offices of vocational ministry: apostle, pastor, teacher, evangelist, and prophet. It seeks to clarify the differences between these roles and dispel common myths. Specifically, it emphasizes that while not all Christians are called to vocational ministry, all are called to participate in the Great Commission through their gifts. Further, it highlights that pastoring involves shepherding and guiding the flock, which differs from the roles of evangelist or teacher. The document encourages discovering one's ministry through prayer, understanding one's calling is ultimately about glorifying God rather than oneself, and using spiritual gifts for the edification of the church.

1. Five Officesof VocationalMinistry:
Apostle-Overseer/Shepherdof Pastors(Romans1:1)
Pastor-Overseer/Shepherdof alocal church (1 Tim 3:1-9, 2 Tim 4:2)
Teacher-Instructorof God'sWord inChurch (2 Tim 2:24)
Evangelist-Proclaimerof the Gospel toa particulararea (Mark 16:15)
Prophet-Edify/ExhortpeopletotrustGod and walkinthe truth (1 Cor 14:2)
Myths aboutMinistry
1. Everyone whofeelscalledinthe ministryshouldbe apastor
2. Onlythose inthe five-foldministryare calledtothe ministry
3. Some pastorsare mainlycalledtoreachthe lostand not disciple theirflock
4. The pastor isthe mainsource of truthfor the believer
5. The church is kingdomfocused,notmeetingthe needsorfeedingthe flock(Itsall aboutusand
the community,notaboutyou)
6. Ministryiseasy,evenacavemancan doit
Truths aboutMinistry
1. EveryChristianiseitheramissionaryoran imposter -Unknown
2. If servingisbeneathyou,leadershipisbeyondyou -Unknown
3. Onlya handful of Christiansare calledtovocational ministry.Godgivesbelieversgiftsandtalents
so theycan edifyone anotherandgoout inthe worldandfulfill the greatcommission.The great
commissionisforeveryone,notjustpastorsandleaders.
4. If you are calledtobe a leaderinthe church,be willingtoequipotherstofulfill the great
comissionasEphesians4:13 states.
5. If you strive tobe a pastorbut onlywantto reach lostpeople andtrainpeople tobe fishersof
men,youmay be calledtobe an evangelist,notapastor.Beingan evangelistisadifferentcalling
and theyare mainlythere inthe church to reachthe lostand equipotherstodothe same.A
pastor accordingto 1 Peter5:1-3 and 2 Timothy4:2 is to guide the flockinfollowingthe Lordas
well asleadingpeople toChrist.EvangelistsandShepherdstendtocompete withone another(I
see itall the time).WhileEvangelistshave someshepherding,theydonotoverseethatparticular
church. Rather,theyhave theirownministrywhere they spreadthe goodnewsandhelppeople
be undera solidpastorthathelpsthemfollow Christandbe underthe greatcomission.
6. Ministryisnot easy.Evencavemencannotdoit lol But itis rewardingsince Godcallseveryoneto
a particularministry.Some are calledtofull time ministrybutthe goal of full time ministryisto
helpequipothersforthe workof the ministry(Eph4:13). Essentially,everyone iscalledtobe a
minister.Some are justnotcalledtobe pastors or do vocational work.
7. Eventhough the local church is notdesignedforourindividualpreferences,itisdesignedtomeet
not onlythe needsof the communitybutalsothe needsof those inthe church.Churchesare to be
a lightinthe communityandwhenpastorsandleaderstake care of people'sspiritual andessential
needs(wheneverappropriate),thentheycanbe a healthychurch.If people are notbeingfedthe
truth (Yes,people are topickupa Bible andreadit daily,butthe pastorstill hasa central role in
feedingthe flock-1Peter5:2),equippedforthe workof the ministry, thentheyare notdoingtheir
job.The church is not meanttobe all aboutone personor group of people (includingleaders) but
to be about Christandobeyinghisword.Whenthisisaccomplished,churchescan be healthy.
Conclusion:Sohowcan people discovertheirministry?
1. Tell themtopray about it.God will reveal tothemthe giftsandtalentstheyhave sotheycan be a
blessinginandoutof the church.

2. 2. If theyfeel calledtobe a pastor or leaderinthe church,talksto themabout itso theycan be sure
theyare inthe right office andinthe rightchurch. God will reveal tothemwhattheyare truly
calledtodo so theycan bringgloryto Christ.
3. Helppeople understanditisnotall aboutthembut aboutgivingChristglory.Thus,people should
be encouragedandexhorted/challengedtodogoodworksby doingitwiththe motivationof
honoringGodand glorifyingGod.Rememberasleaders,itisnotall about youand your ministry.It
isabout servingbothGodand others.A servant'sheart takestime todevelopbutwhenyouserve
well,youcanleadwell.Model thisinyourleadershipandteachthemtodo the same.
4. Helpthemdifferentiate betweenpastoringand teachingaswell aspastoringandevangelizingor
pastoringandbeinga prophet.Some peoplemaybe calledtobe bothpastors and evangelistsor
pastorsand teachersbutsome are mainlyjustcalledtobe evangelistsortosimplyteachgod's
word.Beinga pastor isdifferentthanbeinganevangelistsince pastoringisshepherdingthe flock
and guidingtheminChristsotheycan be effective inministry.Pastoringdoesinvolve teaching
and evangelismbutitismainlytoproclaimGod's wordto the flockand throughthe HolySpirit,
helpguide themintoall truth.Anevangelist'smainconcernisspreadingthe goodnewssothat
people canbe saved.Pastoringisa differentcallingthana missionary/evangelist.EveryChristianis
an evangelist/missionary,butnot everyChristianiscalledtothe office of anEvangelistinthe
church. Therefore,itisessential asapastor or leadertohelpthemfigure outwhattheyare called
to do.Beinga pastor isa verydangerouscallingbutrewardingatthe same time soit is important
to not thinkbeingcalledtoministryisthe same asbeingapastor. It isnot.Every Christianiscalled
to be a lighttothe worldand the great commissionisforeveryChristian,notjustthose infive fold
ministry.Rather,those invocational ministryare there tohelpthose underneathtodothe workof
the ministry(Eph4:13). It takesa lot of character and maturityto be a leaderandit isimportant
for anypastor to observe people'scharacterbefore allowingthemtobecome aleader.
I encourage youto take a spiritual giftstesttosee how youfunctioninthe bodyof Christ.Everyone has
a part to playin the bodyof Christand eachpart needseachotherto function(includingbothleaders
and those inthe congregation) (1Corinthians 12).Inthe OldTestament,people reliedonprophetsand
leadersforguidance butinthe New,people relyonthe HolySpirittohelpleadthemandguide them.A
pastor's role isnotto be the mainsource of truth forpeople (like Moseswasinthe OldTestament) to
helppeople followthe HolySpiritsotheycanbe guidedintoall truth(John16:12). Theyare the
undershepherdthatpointspeople tothe overshepherd,whoisChristhimself.If youare calledto
vocational ministry,Iencourage youtobe the bestleaderthroughservingGodandothers.God can use
youin mightywaysif youtrust and obeyhim.
If youare not calledtovocational ministry,continue touse the giftsandtalentsyouhave togloryGod
and bringpeople toChristandhelpthemfollow Christ.Whenyoumature inthe faith,helpmentor
someone else.Continue tobe a lightinyourarea of employment,inyourcommunityandinyour
church. Continue toallowJesustoshine inyouandGod can use youto change the world.Youdo not
have to be in vocational ministrytochange the world,Godcan use yourightnow.As Morgan Freeman
saidin EvanAlmighty,changingthe worldisone Actof RandomKindnessata time (Itis notabout being
a big shot,butallowingJesustobe biginyou).Justserve Godand serve othersandfulfill your
assignmentonearthandwhenyousee Jesus,he will saywell done mygoodandfaithful servant.