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. Ephesians 4:11-14
What Paul doesn’t go into is the way people understand if they are called to one of these roles of ‘building up the Body of Christ’. So what Man does is interpret these scriptures via his own understanding. And we get colleges, universities, and seminaries that teach the ‘ways of God’ and the scriptures. But how do they do that without the very ‘move of the Spirit of God’ within them interpreting and guiding them in the meaning of the scriptures? So many, many times it has only become an intellectual exercise of formulas, and traditions of human learning. The Holy Spirit is ‘Ichabod’ in most seminaries and Churches these days. They (degreed learned teachers) have learned to interpret by other methods of research and tools rather than using the Holy Spirit. Yet I believe the Holy Spirit is the One who calls, gifts, and anoints those He has chosen for the Father’s purposes. Schools can’t do any of those things in the spiritual realm, only the human intellectual realm. Yet we know, you can know and memorize all of the scripture and still not really know Him. The enemy knows scripture better than we do. So what really is the difference in a ‘real’ individual called to one of these roles? The Holy Spirit’s life and work in them. You can still get the degree, collar, and position in a Church and still have zero anointing or relationship with the Holy Spirit.
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5
If we don’t have spiritually mature elder types guiding the followers of The Way in the ways of the Holy Spirit .. how will the disciples really grow spiritually? We aren’t called to just get people ‘saved’ but we’re called to go and “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19) and “baptizing them in Name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit”. Who actually is the One who baptizes people in the Holy Spirit? Jesus. (Matthew 3:11 / Luke 3:16) We baptize in His Name, which is basically asking for His approval and work in them. Jesus and the Holy Spirit do the real spiritual work in an individual. We are just the ones who point others to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is God Himself who speaks directly to the individual and gives them the direction they are to go. This can lead to one of these five fold roles in the Body. But it isn’t a career, it is a calling that is from Him. It isn’t about all the trappings that come with the professional role we so much see today, that so many love and are attracted to. Many LOVE the power than comes with the position, but James warns, Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1) There is a much greater price that will be enacted on those who step into the role of a ‘spiritual leader’. And the role of a spiritual elder is so much more than a Sunday sermon. It’s a life lived with a closeness with the Holy Spirit, guiding and directing them in every area of their existence. It’s an intimacy with Jesus and the Holy Spirit that is recognized by those they come into relationship with. Real spiritual elders LOVE to be with the true disciples .. for that IS their life and purpose given to them by God. So if your ‘spiritual leader’ squirrels themselves away from the congregation, and really doesn’t have many real friends .. that should be a ‘sign’ to you. Real spiritual leaders are very welcoming to questions from disciples – for they themselves are constantly working through questions with the Holy Spirit they have personally.
Do you know if God has ‘called’ you to one of these roles? How? What has He said to directly? What is your motivation? Are you willing to take one of these roles that will only cost you for the rest of your life— and add nothing monetarily to you? That role will bring you persecution and possibly martyrdom .. are you still willing? Taking the role will make many your enemy and they will despise you. You will step into the spiritual battle arena and be a massive target for the enemy. Do you still want to go forward?
The Holy Spirit will ask you directly. Be certain of what He says to you. Have you really counted the cost?