Leadership Model of Ephesians 4:11-12

Have you noticed the switch from traditional spoke or solid wheel rims to five-spoke models made with super alloys? They provide needed strength while reducing the amount of material. They are engineered so that the minimum number of spokes provides the maximum strength needed to fulfill the function of the wheel – to facilitate motion.

Grind or torch off one or more of the new alloy spokes and the integrity of both the wheel and its usefulness is compromised (if not altogether destroyed). Only an idiot would do such a thing, right?

One can successfully argue that there are many models for congregational leadership in the Christian Testament. Most models call for teams of peer colleagues and one in particular was apparently a model Paul respected. Ephesians 4:11-12 refers to a five-spoke missional leadership wheel that included an apostle, a prophet, an evangelist, a shepherd, and a teacher.

Apostles are all about expanding the reach of the gospel.

Prophets advocate for God’s will to be known and carried out.

Evangelists look for potential disciples of Jesus and invite commitment.

Shepherds are all about the care and protection of local disciples.

Teachers make divine mystery more accessible and encourage wisdom.

Together, they make a formidable, balanced team. The current North American Protestant congregation in the rural Midwest, however, tends to favor a model which asks of its hireling clergy a balance of all five gifts. Larger churches are expected to have a staff with all five gifts. Many congregations have sawn off evangelism and prophecy and most apostolic work in favor of more self-serving teaching and shepherding.

In the Spring, 2008 edition of the Leadership Journal, Alan Hirsch suggests that the five-fold leadership team might be best understood as a team of leaders of five teams; apostolic, prophetic, evangelism, shepherding, and teaching.

Do read the article. It offers insight and hope at a time when current congregational leadership models are limping along.

None of us are so naïve as to believe that an ideal leadership model will descend from “on high.” What will work in the years to come will have to be prayerfully discerned locally, vigorously tried, ruthlessly evaluated and modified and attempted again and often. Additionally, new or re-visited models will have to have integrity with the biblical witness.

What models of leadership are proving helpful where you serve?