The document explores the 'five-fold ministries' outlined in Ephesians 4:11-12, detailing how each type—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—can influence preaching styles and content. It discusses the unique attributes and challenges of each ministry, emphasizing the need for churches to recognize and utilize these diverse gifts in order to enhance preaching effectiveness. Additionally, it encourages self-reflection on personal leadership gifts and their ability to shape one's preaching approach.

1. Liverpool Mission Academy
PP100
Preaching and the ‘Five-Fold Ministry’ Modes
www.preachersforum.org

2. Learning Outcomes
1. Articulate the basic components that
distinguish the so-called ‘fivefold
ministries.’
2. Critically evaluate some of the driving
forces that each of the fivefold ministry
leadership types might bring to their
preaching content and ethos.

3. Agree/Disagree:
Are there various
forces that might
drive the way in
which a person
preaches?

4. Personality & Preaching
For example, might your
preaching styles be impacted if
your personality tends to be…
• More extroverted than
introverted?
• More analytical than emotive?
• More emotive than analytical?
• More sensing than intuitive?
• More perceiving than judging?

5. Leadership & Preaching
Do the ‘fivefold ministries’ identified by Paul
in Ephesians 4.11-12 reflect a variety of
leadership styles?
Do these missional leadership styles have
potential impact upon preaching forms?

6. Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Pastors
Teachers

7. If these
characterizations
fit a wide variety of
missional leadership
styles, how might each
of these categorizations
be driven to package
scriptural messages
in ways that are true to
their gifting?

8. Apostles
• ‘One who is sent’
(αποστελλω), Gal. 2.8
• A strategic planter who
works with teams
• Entrepreneurs and risk-
takers
• Often frustrated with the
‘status quo’ in churches
• This gift may be lacking
in preaching lists in many
mainstream churches

9. Prophets
• OT – ‘messengers of Yahweh’
(‫ נְבִיא‬navi)
• NT – ‘advocate’ (προφήτης
profétés)
• One who questions and challenges
the status quo; at times can be
confrontational
• Seek to convict, equip and
encourage believers with a word
from God
• May be viewed as a threat by
leadership and congregation alike

10. Evangelists
• Those who bring ‘the
good news’ (ευαγγελιον)
• Those who seek to
recruit and build
• Passionate to ‘win
people for Christ’
• Preaching through
lifestyle as well as words
• Can often be frustrated
with the lack of growth by
conversion in churches

11. Pastors
• NT – ‘shepherd’ (ποιµην)
• Often thought of as ‘paid
professionals’ who
maintain the status quo
• Many in churches have
pastoral gifts being un-
utilized or under-utilized
• Those who humanize and
care for the flock
• Preaching can address
pastoral concerns or
issues facing the church

12. Teachers
• Cultivates, organizes and
explains difficult concepts
• Passion for learning and
seeing others learn
• Can systematize complexity
• Helps people to grow in their
understanding of the faith

13. Conclusions
• Can you identify your particular leadership gift as
listed above?
• What sorts of preaching styles might the differing
leadership gifts tend to gravitate toward?
• What types of preaching styles might best
describe your gift set and why?
• Are you free to express your particular gift set in
your current preaching context or is it being
stifled?
• Why might this be and what steps can you take
in order to change the situation?
• How could a church encourage and foster all 5
gift sets?
(Adapted from class notes written by Rev. Dan Yarnell & Rev Dr Andy Hardy, Springdale
College, England)