Thoughts from Pastor Toney

There is a battle happening all around us. It is not fought with weapons or armies, but is a spiritual struggle that affects every marriage, family, church, and individual. The real question is not if the battle exists, but if we are ready to stand when it comes to us.

And it will come.

The Enemy Has a Strategy

It is risky for believers to assume the enemy has no plan. In reality, he is careful, patient, and exact. While we often react to the latest crisis, the enemy is already planning his next steps.

Consider the family. If the enemy can break up a marriage, he can influence the next generation. Children raised in the wreckage of a broken home carry wounds that, left unaddressed, become doorways for further destruction. This is not an accident. It is strategy. The enemy understands that divided families lead to divided children, and divided children lead to a divided church.

A divided church cannot stand strong against anything.

This may be the enemy’s most powerful tool against the church. When believers argue over small things like offenses, misunderstandings, or even carpet colors and Bible translations, the enemy hardly needs to do anything. The church starts to fall apart on its own. Divorce rates inside the church are now similar to those outside. Churches split over minor issues, and people watching from the outside decide they do not want what Christians have.

We Do Not Wrestle Against Flesh and Blood

Ephesians 6 makes this clear. The people who have hurt, betrayed, or left you are not your real enemy. They are people made in God’s image, either following the Spirit or being influenced by the one who wants to steal, kill, and destroy. When we start seeing people as the enemy, we lose focus and give the real enemy a win.

This truth calls for action. It means praying for those who insult you. It means reaching out to someone who left your group in anger. It means not letting a broken relationship become a lasting barrier. The enemy wins when we give up on people, but he loses when we choose to love them anyway.

When the Evil Day Comes, Stand

Ephesians 6 does not say if the evil day will come, but when. This difference is important. A church caught off guard by trouble, persecution, or cultural pressure was not ready. Preparation is active. It means spending time with Scripture and prayer every day, and honestly checking the state of your own heart.

We are living in times that past generations never imagined. The meaning of truth is changing in schools, courts, and even churches. For example, a bishop in a large city recently said from the pulpit that Jesus was transgender. Some schools ask children to join in spiritual practices from Eastern religions and punish those who do not. In 2020, pastors were arrested just for keeping their churches open. These are not distant possibilities—they are happening right now.

The church cannot respond to these times by staying silent and calling it politeness. It cannot hide behind fear of losing nonprofit status. The church must stand up and speak the truth, even when it is unpopular or comes with real costs.

The Belt of Truth

The armor of God in Ephesians 6 starts with truth, and that order matters. The belt of truth holds everything together. Without a strong hold on what is true, believers are open to every new cultural idea or religious trend.

Absolute truths do not change with popular opinion. Gravity does not change, and biology is not decided by a vote. God made one human race, not the divided groups the enemy has built over centuries. He made one church, not the many denominations we see today.

When Jesus said in John 14 that he is the way, the truth, and the life, he set the foundation for everything. Knowing the truth means knowing him. Without him, we have no anchor and can end up believing anything.

The Breastplate of Righteousness

If truth is our foundation, righteousness is our protection. The breastplate covers the chest, where the heart is. The enemy knows this and targets the heart, because a wounded heart weakens our witness.

Righteousness does not mean being perfect. It means being willing to repent. It means staying honest with God and not letting sin build up in secret. Everything hidden will eventually come to light. This is not a threat, but a mercy. Hidden sin is a weak spot in our armor, and the enemy will find it. When that happens, the harm spreads beyond just one person—it can affect children, grandchildren, neighbors, and anyone watching to see if following Jesus really changes someone.

Repenting every day is not weakness. It is the habit of someone who will not let the enemy gain ground. Repent quickly. Forgive quickly. Keep your armor strong.

The Call to Stand

The church was never promised comfort, but it was promised God’s presence. The same God who called Jeremiah to speak to people who would not listen is calling the church today to stand firm, even when the culture does not want to hear it.

This means standing for truth at home, at school board meetings, at work, and in your community. It means not backing down when it gets hard. It means joining with other believers, letting go of small disagreements, and remembering that we are one family of God, one body, one bride.

The evil day is not just coming—it is already here. The only question is whether you are ready for it.

Have you ever had a week when everything goes wrong at once? Maybe your car breaks down, bills keep coming, and something in your house stops working. Just when you think things can’t get worse, they do. If you’ve been through this, you know the feeling. In those moments, the same question always comes up: What do I do now?

The answer is actually simpler than we think. It may not be easy, but it is simple: stand.

Know Where Your Strength Comes From

Before you do anything else, before you put on armor or face any battle, you need to settle one important truth in your heart. Your strength doesn’t come from yourself. It doesn’t come from other people, things, routines, or habits. In Ephesians 6:10, Paul makes this clear by urging believers to find their strength in God and his great power.

This is not a minor detail. It’s where everything begins.

Think back to times when your life seemed to fall apart—when you lost someone you loved, got bad news from the doctor, or watched a relationship end. At first, people came by with food and kind words, but eventually, they went home. The calls slowed down, and you were left alone with your pain. What helped you get through?

If you’re honest, it wasn’t just willpower or positive thinking. It was something that came to you in the quiet, in the dark, in those early hours when you were alone. It was God.

Paul wants us to remember that this shouldn’t surprise us. God is the only one who never changes. Proverbs 18:24 says he sticks closer than a brother. He is always there, even in the middle of the night. Before you put on any armor, you need to know where your strength comes from. If you go into battle weak, the enemy will notice.

The Armor Is Not Optional

Once you have that foundation, Paul talks about one of the most famous passages in the Bible. Ephesians 6:11 tells believers to put on the full armor of God—not just the parts that feel easy or comfortable, but all of it.

The reason is so you can stand strong against the devil’s schemes.

Notice that the armor isn’t for attacking. It’s so you can stand firm. That difference matters. Many believers feel anxious and tired because they think they have to fix everything and fight every battle. But Paul makes it clear: your job is to stand. God will handle the rest.

The enemy isn’t passive. He plans carefully. He deceives, like in the Garden of Eden, by planting just enough doubt to change everything. He distracts us from what matters, accuses us where it hurts most, and tries to divide us because it’s easier to attack a group that’s not united. He can even use people we trust to discourage us. Sometimes, he doesn’t need to do anything—life just gets busy, and we drift away from God ourselves.

Do any of these tactics sound familiar to you?

The Real Enemy Is Not Who You Think

One of the most important lessons in this passage is easy to miss when you’re hurting and someone seems to be the cause. Ephesians 6:12 is clear: our struggle isn’t against other people, but against rulers, authorities, dark powers, and evil spiritual forces.

So, the person who hurt you isn’t your enemy. The coworker who made things hard, the family member who left, the neighbor who complained, the friend who betrayed you, or even a stranger who wronged you—none of them are your real enemy.

This isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a real strategy. When we spend our energy fighting people, we miss the real battle. The enemy doesn’t have to do much. He just watches as we argue, and the people who need to hear the gospel never do because we’re too busy fighting the wrong fight.

People aren’t the enemy. They’re the reason we’re here.

When Everything Else Fails, Stand

In the Old Testament, four priests carried the Ark of the Covenant into the Jordan River. God promised to stop the water, but it didn’t happen until they stepped in. Even then, they had to stand in the riverbed while the whole nation crossed. They stood there until the job was done.

That’s what we’re called to do. Not to have every answer, not to know how things will turn out, and not to always feel strong or brave. We’re called to stand firm, trusting that God hasn’t forgotten us.

Life will get overwhelming sometimes. Some weeks, everything happens at once. The enemy will look for your weak spots and try every trick. But if you know where your strength comes from, put on God’s full armor, and remember who the real enemy is, you can do what you’ve been told to do.

Stand.

Part 5: Bishop, Elder, Overseer, and Deacon: What Does the Bible Actually Say?

Ministry, Honor, and Status in the Church

Walk into different churches, and the leadership structure can look completely different.

One church has a pastor.

Another has a senior pastor and a board of elders.

Another has bishops overseeing pastors.

Another has apostles overseeing bishops.

Another has elders who govern while pastors preach.

Another has pastors, elders, overseers, trustees, and deacons, all occupying different levels of authority.

That raises an important question:

How much of this structure actually comes from the New Testament?

Churches need organization. As ministries grow, organizational structures can be useful and even necessary. Scripture tells us:

“But everything is to be done decently and in order.”

— 1 Corinthians 14:40 CSB

So having an organizational structure is not a bad thing.

But we need to distinguish between:

what Scripture actually establishes

and

what church tradition has developed.

Tradition isn’t automatically wrong.

But tradition should never be presented as a biblical command when Scripture doesn’t actually command it.

So let’s examine four important New Testament words:

Elder.

Overseer/Bishop.

Pastor/Shepherd.

Deacon.

The relationships between them may surprise us.

Elder: Presbyteros

The Greek word translated as elder is presbyteros.

The term already had a long history.

Jewish communities recognized elders as mature leaders within the community.

When the New Testament Church developed, elders became recognized leaders within local congregations.

We see this early in Acts:

“When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

— Acts 14:23 CSB

Notice:

Elders in every church.

Eldership wasn’t merely an honorary title given to someone because they had attended church for a long time.

Elders carried real spiritual responsibility.

Paul later told Titus:

“The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town.”

— Titus 1:5 CSB

Then Paul begins describing their qualifications.

Character.

Faithfulness.

Self-control.

Hospitality.

Sound doctrine.

Again, Scripture focuses far more heavily on who the leader is than on what title appears before the leader’s name.

Overseer: Episkopos

Another important word is episkopos.

Depending upon the English translation and church tradition, this word may appear as:

overseer

or

bishop.

The word carries the idea of someone who watches over, supervises, or exercises responsible oversight.

Paul writes:

“This saying is trustworthy: ‘If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.’”

— 1 Timothy 3:1 CSB

Notice something interesting.

Paul doesn’t say:

“He desires a noble title.”

He says:

“He desires a noble work.”

This difference matters.

Biblical leadership is work.

Responsibility.

Service.

Accountability.

An overseer is not someone who has worked their way up just to get a special title.

An overseer is someone entrusted with responsibility for God’s people.

Are Elders and Overseers Different Offices?

This is where the New Testament evidence becomes especially interesting.

Return to Titus 1.

Paul tells Titus:

“appoint elders in every town.”

— Titus 1:5 CSB

Then while describing those elders, Paul says:

“As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless.”

— Titus 1:7 CSB

Within the same discussion, Paul moves from elder to overseer.

This suggests these are not always two totally separate positions of authority.

The same thing happens in Acts 20.

Paul calls for:

“the elders of the church.”

— Acts 20:17 CSB

Then he tells those same men:

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God.”

— Acts 20:28 CSB

There it is again.

They are called:

elders.

They function as:

overseers.

And they are commanded to:

shepherd.

That gives us three concepts surrounding the same group of leaders.

Elder, Overseer, and Shepherd

This pattern helps us understand New Testament leadership.

Elder —presbyteros

emphasizes mature spiritual leadership.

Overseer —episkopos

emphasizes responsibility and oversight.

Shepherd/Pastor —poimēn

emphasizes care for God’s flock.

Rather than seeing three separate levels on a chart, we might be looking at three aspects of the same kind of church leadership.

Peter gives us another example.

He writes:

“I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder… Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly.”

— 1 Peter 5:1–2 CSB

Again:

Elders.

Shepherd.

Oversee.

The vocabulary overlaps repeatedly.

So Is a Bishop Above a Pastor?

Biblically, we should be careful about making that claim.

In many later church traditions, bishop became a formal office overseeing multiple congregations and clergy.

That structure developed historically and continues in several Christian traditions today.

A denomination or church network may decide that such a structure helps provide accountability, doctrine, organization, and leadership.

Choosing that kind of structure does not automatically go against the Bible.

But saying:

“The New Testament clearly teaches that every bishop is spiritually above every pastor”

is much harder to demonstrate.

Why?

Because the New Testament word translated bishop is the same basic word translated overseer, and the New Testament repeatedly connects overseers with elders and shepherding.

The complex hierarchy developed later on.

Again:

Just because something came later does not mean it is wrong.

But if it came later, we should not claim that the Bible describes the structure exactly as we use it now.

Titles Can Change While Functions Remain

Imagine three churches.

Church A calls its leaders elders.

Church B calls them pastors.

Church C calls them overseers.

All three groups can perform nearly identical biblical functions while using different terminology.

This is why arguing a lot about titles can miss what really matters.

The better questions are:

Are they biblically qualified?

Are they teaching sound doctrine?

Are they shepherding people?

Are they accountable?

Are they protecting the flock?

Are they equipping believers?

Are they modeling Christlike character?

You might have the right title but still miss what true ministry is about.

What About Deacons?

Now we come to another important New Testament term.

The Greek word is diakonos.

Its basic meaning is connected with:

service.

Depending on context, it can mean servant, minister, or deacon.

Paul opens Philippians by writing:

“To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.”

— Philippians 1:1 CSB

This appears to identify two recognized leadership/service categories within the congregation:

overseers

and

deacons.

Paul also gives qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3.

Again, character dominates the list.

They must be worthy of respect.

Not hypocritical.

Not greedy.

Holding the mystery of faith with a clear conscience.

Tested.

Faithful.

A biblical deacon was not just someone who got a title after being in church for many years.

Deacons served.

Acts 6 and the Pattern of Service

Acts 6 is frequently connected with the development of the diaconate, although the seven men selected there aren’t explicitly called deacons in the passage.

A practical problem had developed concerning the daily distribution to widows.

The apostles said:

“It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables.”

— Acts 6:2 CSB

So the church selected seven qualified men to handle the responsibility.

Notice their qualifications:

“select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom.”

— Acts 6:3 CSB

Even practical ministry required spiritual character.

Serving tables was not seen as unimportant spiritually.

That is Kingdom thinking.

No ministry is “little ministry” when it is done for Jesus.

Deacon Doesn’t Mean Second-Class Christian

Churches sometimes unintentionally create a strange hierarchy:

Member.

Deacon.

Elder.

Pastor.

Bishop.

Apostle.

It can seem like each step is a spiritual promotion.

But that isn’t how the Body of Christ works.

Paul says:

“There are different ministries, but the same Lord.”

— 1 Corinthians 12:5 CSB

Different assignments don’t mean different value.

The person who preaches is not more important than the person who serves food.

God doesn’t love the elder more than the deacon.

A pastor is not closer to Jesus just because of their title.

A bishop does not get a better version of the Holy Spirit.

There is one Body.

One Spirit.

One Lord.

Leadership Does Carry Authority

We should also avoid another extreme.

Saying leaders aren’t spiritually superior doesn’t mean biblical leadership has no authority.

Scripture clearly speaks about leaders leading.

Paul tells Timothy:

“The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”

— 1 Timothy 5:17 CSB

Hebrews says:

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.”

— Hebrews 13:17 CSB

Biblical authority is real.

But notice something in Hebrews:

Leaders give an account.

Authority and accountability belong together.

The leader has responsibility for the flock.

But the leader also answers to God for how he exercises that authority.

Biblical authority does not mean having the right to control others.

It means being responsible to serve others faithfully under Christ.

Peter Specifically Warned Leaders About This

Peter told elders:

“Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

— 1 Peter 5:2–3 CSB

That may be one of Scripture’s clearest descriptions of healthy church authority.

Not controlling.

Not greedy.

Not dominating.

Examples.

A shepherd leads by going ahead in a way the sheep can follow.

Titles Should Describe Responsibility, Not Rank

This brings us back to the larger question of this series.

Can someone be called Bishop?

Certainly, churches have used that title for centuries.

Can someone be called Elder?

Absolutely.

Overseer?

Biblical word.

Pastor?

Biblical ministry.

Deacon?

Clearly biblical.

The problem is not always the words we use.

The real danger is when these words turn into a way of ranking spiritual importance.

The New Testament always points us away from seeking status and toward taking responsibility.

The more responsibility someone has, the more accountability they have too.

Jesus said:

“Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant.”

— Mark 10:43 CSB

That should govern every church leadership structure.

Organization Is Helpful; Spiritual Royalty Is Not

Churches need organization.

Someone has to make decisions.

Someone has to oversee finances.

Someone has to teach.

Someone has to shepherd.

Someone has to coordinate ministry.

Someone has to provide accountability.

Someone has to lead.

Disorganization is not spiritual.

But organization can become a problem when people think having authority means they are better than others.

A church organizational chart can tell us:

who is responsible for what.

It should never show us:

who matters most to God.

These are two very different things.

Jesus Is Still the Head

No matter what organizational structure a church uses, Scripture establishes one nonnegotiable position.

Paul writes:

“He is also the head of the body, the church.”

— Colossians 1:18 CSB

Jesus is the Head.

Every pastor serves under Him.

Every elder serves under Him.

Every overseer serves under Him.

Every bishop serves under Him.

Every deacon serves under Him.

Every apostle, prophet, evangelist, and teacher serves under Him.

And every organizational chart should ultimately point upward to one name:

Jesus Christ.

Don’t Be Impressed by the Title—Look at the Towel

The New Testament gives us leadership.

It gives us structure.

It gives us qualifications.

It gives us authority.

It gives us accountability.

But it does not give us permission to create a kind of spiritual royalty.

So when evaluating church leadership, don’t simply ask:

“What is this person’s title?”

Ask:

Are they qualified?

Are they serving?

Are they shepherding?

Are they accountable?

Are they protecting the flock?

Are they teaching truth?

Are they modeling Jesus?

Because even the best title in the world cannot make up for a lack of biblical character.

And someone who quietly serves without a big title may show the Kingdom more clearly than the person in the most important seat.

In the Kingdom, titles identify responsibility.

They should never establish human worth.

Coming Next — Part 6

Reverend, Doctor, Prophet, Apostle: When Are Titles Helpful—and When Do They Go Too Far?

Some titles describe biblical ministry.

Some describe education.

Some developed through church tradition.

And some are used today in ways the earliest Christians might hardly recognize.

Next, we will tackle the titles themselves directly—including Reverend, Dr., Prophet, Apostle, Bishop, and Pastor—and ask a simple question:

When does respectful recognition cross the line into religious status?

You often hear people say, “It’s all about the blood”—in church, in hymns, and in conversations with other believers. While that’s true, there’s a deeper meaning we shouldn’t overlook. If we focus only on the blood, we might miss the heart of the story.

The blood is important. The Bible makes that clear. Hebrews 9:22 says that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. But what does the blood actually mean? What was it meant to show us?

The answer is sacrifice: someone willing to take your place.

The Animal Was Never the Point

In the Old Testament, people brought a perfect lamb to the altar as a sacrifice. Its blood was shed, but the real meaning was not in the blood itself. The power was in what the blood represented: an innocent life ended so a guilty one could continue. Something blameless took the place of someone who had done wrong.

That is the point. The whole sacrificial system was leading to this. It was not just a ritual or a religious transaction. It was about substitution.

If we see the cross only as a symbol of blood and miss the sacrifice behind it, we might say the right words but miss their true meaning. We can talk about “the blood of Christ” and feel moved, but not fully realize that a real person—fully God and fully man—chose to take the punishment meant for us.

The Weight of What He Left Behind

John 1:1 says that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, and nothing was made without him. The one who created everything—the stars, the seas, and all living things—chose to enter his own creation and die in it. He did this for people who wanted nothing to do with him.

Romans 5:8 says it clearly: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Not after we fixed ourselves or proved our worth, but while we were his enemies, living against everything he stands for.

This is not just a fact to remember. It is an incredible act of willing sacrifice. He was not forced or caught off guard. He knew what it would cost before the world began, and he still chose to come.

Sin Is More Serious Than We Want to Admit

One reason Christ’s sacrifice does not affect us as it should is that we have downplayed what our sin really is. We compare ourselves to others we think are worse and feel comfortable. But other people are not the standard.

Romans 6:23 is clear: the wages of sin is death. Not just big sins or the ones that make the news. Any sin leads to death. One lie makes you a liar. Taking what is not yours makes you a thief. Choosing your way over God’s, even once, means you need a savior.

The cross was not too much. It was the only answer to how serious sin is. A simple apology was not enough. Something had to die. Instead of letting that be you, Jesus stepped forward.

The Sacrifice Demands a Response

This is where it gets personal. Imagine someone taking your punishment—walking into a courtroom as you are about to be sentenced and saying, “I will serve their time,” and then actually doing it. You would not leave that courtroom and forget about them. You would not keep your freedom to yourself.

And yet that is precisely what many believers do with the gospel.

Matthew 28 does not say sharing the good news is only for those who feel specially called. It is a command for everyone who has received the gift. Go. Your method does not have to be perfect. You do not need a script. What matters is willingness: an open mouth and a heart that trusts God to provide the words.

Some people in your life may never hear the message from anyone else. It is not because you are special in a proud way, but because of your unique history, relationships, and story. The sacrifice was made for them too. They just have not heard it yet.

Keep the Person in View

It is easy to talk about the blood of Christ in general terms. It is much harder, and much more life-changing, to focus on the real person. He had done nothing wrong. He was beaten, humiliated, and executed in public. He carried his own cross through the streets and was nailed to it.

He did all of this knowing your name. He knew every sin you would ever commit. He did it for his enemies, which is what we were.

The blood shows the sacrifice. But the sacrifice itself is what matters most.

This week, when you meet someone, remember that the same price was paid for them. They have the same need you once had, and maybe still have on hard days. You have something they need. The only question is if you are willing to share it.

He was willing. He showed us what true willingness is. Now it is our turn.

Part 4: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers: Titles or Gifts?

Ministry, Honor, and Status in the Church

Few passages have generated more discussion about ministry titles than Ephesians 4:11:

“And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.”

Ephesians 4:11 CSB

Today we often call this the fivefold ministry.

Apostle.

Prophet.

Evangelist.

Pastor.

Teacher.

Some churches prominently recognize all five. Others regularly use only “pastor.” Some believe apostles and prophets ceased after the first century. Others believe all five ministries continue operating today.

Those questions matter.

But before debating who can carry which title, perhaps we should ask the question Paul actually answers:

Why did Jesus give these ministries to His Church?

Paul tells us immediately:

“equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:12 CSB

That changes the conversation.

The fivefold ministry was not given to make ministers important.

It was given to mature the body.

Start With the Giver, Not the Gifts

Notice how Ephesians 4:11 begins:

“And he himself gave…”

The ministries begin with Jesus.

They belong to Jesus.

They originate with Jesus.

They exist for Jesus’ purposes.

This means nobody should manufacture a ministry identity for themselves just because they want the recognition that comes with it.

You don’t become an apostle because you change your social media profile.

You don’t become a prophet because someone prints a certificate.

You don’t become an evangelist because you hold a microphone outdoors.

You don’t become a pastor because somebody begins calling you Pastor.

You don’t become a teacher merely because you enjoy talking about Scripture.

Ministry begins with Christ’s gifting and calling.

And genuine calling eventually produces recognizable fruit.

The Purpose Is Equipping

Ephesians 4:12 may be one of the most important ministry verses in the New Testament.

Christ gave these ministries for:

“equipping the saints for the work of ministry.”

For generations, parts of the Church have unintentionally reversed this.

We have sometimes operated as though the saints exist to support the minister’s ministry.

Paul says ministry leaders exist to equip the saints for their ministry.

That is radically different.

The pastor isn’t the only minister.

The apostle isn’t the superstar.

The prophet isn’t the spiritual celebrity.

The evangelist isn’t the only person sharing the Gospel.

The teacher isn’t supposed to create perpetual students who never learn to study Scripture themselves.

The goal is an equipped Church.

A mature Church.

A functioning Church.

A Body in which every part contributes.

Apostle: Sent One

The Greek word translated apostle is apostolos.

At its basic level, it carries the idea of someone who is sent.

We must make an important distinction immediately.

A unique category of foundational apostles is associated with Christ and the establishment of the New Testament Church.

The Twelve occupied a unique historical role.

Paul also defended his apostleship based upon his encounter with the risen Christ.

Ephesians speaks of the Church as:

“built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.”

Ephesians 2:20 CSB

Foundations are laid once.

We are not continually relaying the foundation of the universal Church.

No modern apostle is rewriting Scripture.

No modern apostle possesses authority to add revelation equal to the Bible.

No modern ministry leader stands alongside Peter, John, or Paul in establishing Christianity’s doctrinal foundation.

That distinction must remain clear.

But Is Every Apostolic Function Gone?

This is where the conversation becomes more nuanced.

The New Testament appears to use apostolic language beyond simply the Twelve.

Acts 14:14 includes Barnabas with Paul in apostolic language.

Other passages also use apostolic language in ways connected with sent representatives or messengers.

So even if we recognize the unique foundational authority of the original apostles, it does not automatically follow that every apostolic function disappeared.

God still sends people to pioneer.

Plant churches.

Strengthen ministries.

Cross cultures.

Establish works.

Equip leaders.

Advance the Gospel into new territory.

The question becomes whether we should call those people “apostles.”

Faithful Christians disagree.

But one thing should be nonnegotiable:

No modern apostolic ministry has authority over Scripture.

The Bible judges the apostle.

The apostle does not judge the Bible.

Prophet: Speaking What God Gives

The prophetic ministry also requires careful handling.

Prophets clearly operated in the New Testament Church.

Agabus is one obvious example.

Acts says:

“One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world.”

Acts 11:28 CSB

Paul also tells the Corinthians:

“Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.”

1 Corinthians 14:1 CSB

So prophecy was not limited to the Old Testament.

But New Testament prophecy was also subject to evaluation.

Paul says:

“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others evaluate.”

1 Corinthians 14:29 CSB

That is important.

Biblical prophetic ministry isn’t:

“I said God told me, therefore nobody can question me.”

Quite the opposite.

Prophetic words are tested.

Discerned.

Evaluated.

And Scripture remains the final authority.

“Prophet” Should Never Mean “Unquestionable”

This is where titles can become dangerous.

When someone says:

“You cannot question me because I am the prophet,”

we have left the pattern of 1 Corinthians 14.

If prophecy must be evaluated, then prophets must be accountable.

The title cannot create immunity from discernment.

Paul writes:

“Don’t despise prophecies, but test all things. Hold on to what is good.”

1 Thessalonians 5:20–21 CSB

Notice both sides.

Don’t despise prophecy.

But don’t unquestioningly accept everything either.

Test it.

Healthy charismatic Christianity doesn’t require turning off discernment.

The Holy Spirit who gives gifts is the same Holy Spirit who inspired Scripture.

Evangelist: More Than a Traveling Preacher

Paul also says Christ gave evangelists.

The word is connected with the good news, the Gospel.

Philip is specifically called:

“Philip the evangelist.”

Acts 21:8 CSB

Evangelists have a particular burden and gifting for proclaiming Christ to those who do not know Him.

But Ephesians 4 suggests something more.

If evangelists are given to equip the saints for the work of ministry, then the evangelist isn’t merely supposed to preach the Gospel while everyone else watches.

The evangelist helps the Church become evangelistic.

A healthy evangelist doesn’t just count how many people they personally reach.

They equip hundreds of other believers to reach people.

Again, the ministry isn’t centered on the minister.

It is aimed toward the Body.

Pastor: Shepherd the Flock

As we examined in Part 3, pastor means shepherd.

The pastor feeds.

Guides.

Protects.

Cares.

Corrects.

Restores.

Equips.

The title “Pastor” has become so common that we sometimes forget what the word actually means.

A person can possess the title without functioning as a shepherd.

Another person may demonstrate tremendous pastoral gifting without possessing a prominent platform.

The fruit matters more than the label.

Teacher: Building People Through Truth

Teachers help believers understand God’s Word.

They explain.

Clarify.

Connect.

Correct misunderstanding.

Build doctrinal foundations.

Help believers apply truth.

Teaching is essential because spiritual passion without biblical understanding can easily become spiritual confusion.

But teachers face a particular warning.

James writes:

“Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.”

James 3:1 CSB

That doesn’t sound like a glamorous title.

It sounds like responsibility.

And that principle applies beyond teachers.

Greater ministry responsibility means greater accountability, not greater importance.

Fivefold Ministry Is Not a Ranking System

One of the greatest mistakes we can make with Ephesians 4 is turning the five ministries into a corporate ladder.

Teacher.

Pastor.

Prophet.

Then Bishop.

Then Apostle.

And eventually someone becomes so highly titled that ordinary believers are expected to treat them like spiritual royalty.

That isn’t what Paul describes.

Ephesians 4 doesn’t give us a ladder.

It gives us a team of equippers.

Different functions.

Different graces.

Different assignments.

One purpose:

“to build up the body of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:12 CSB

The apostle doesn’t outrank the pastor in personal worth.

God doesn’t love the prophet more than the teacher.

The evangelist isn’t spiritually superior to the person serving quietly behind the scenes.

Different functions don’t mean different values.

Paul explains this beautifully elsewhere:

“Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ.”

Romans 12:4–5 CSB

The Body needs different functions.

But every part belongs to Christ.

The Fivefold Exists to Work Itself Out of Celebrity

Think about the goal Paul gives us.

“until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.”

Ephesians 4:13 CSB

Then he says:

“Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching.”

Ephesians 4:14 CSB

Healthy ministry produces mature believers.

That means healthy fivefold ministry should actually decrease unhealthy dependence upon personalities.

The apostle equips.

The prophet equips.

The evangelist equips.

The pastor equips.

The teacher equips.

And the saints mature.

If our ministries make people increasingly dependent upon our personalities rather than increasingly grounded in Christ, something has gone wrong.

You Don’t Need a Title to Exercise a Gift

This deserves emphasis.

Someone can evangelize without putting “Evangelist” before their name.

Someone can teach without being introduced as “Teacher.”

Someone can shepherd without demanding everyone call them “Pastor.”

Someone can operate prophetically without introducing themselves everywhere as “Prophet.”

Someone can demonstrate apostolic fruit without insisting that every person address them as “Apostle.”

The ministry validates the description more than the description validates the ministry.

This doesn’t mean titles are automatically wrong.

It means titles aren’t necessary for gifts to function.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t need your business card.

Be Especially Careful With Self-Appointed Titles

Consider this whenever someone announces a new spiritual title for themselves.

“I have moved from Pastor to Bishop.”

“I’m no longer a Prophet. I’m Apostle now.”

“God has elevated me.”

Maybe God genuinely has changed someone’s assignment.

We shouldn’t automatically mock or reject what God may be doing.

But biblical ministry should make us cautious about language centered around promotion and elevation.

Jesus repeatedly moved the conversation in the opposite direction.

“Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant.”

Mark 10:43 CSB

In the Kingdom, greater responsibility should produce greater humility.

If your new assignment requires everyone around you to acknowledge that you have been spiritually promoted, it may be worth examining what kind of promotion you are actually pursuing.

Recognition Should Follow Fruit

In Scripture, ministry was recognizable.

People knew Philip was an evangelist because he evangelized.

They knew teachers because they taught.

They recognized shepherds because they shepherded.

They recognized prophetic ministry because prophetic fruit was present.

This gives us a healthy principle:

Let fruit create recognition, not titles create expectation.

If God has genuinely called you, you don’t have to manufacture spiritual importance.

Serve.

Be faithful.

Develop character.

Study Scripture.

Love people.

Use your gifts.

Submit to accountability.

Let the Body recognize what God is doing.

Every Gift Bows to Jesus

Ephesians 4 isn’t ultimately about apostles.

It isn’t ultimately about prophets.

It isn’t ultimately about evangelists.

It isn’t ultimately about pastors.

It isn’t ultimately about teachers.

It is aboutJesus building His Church.

He gives.

He calls.

He equips.

He matures.

He is the Head.

Paul ends this section by saying:

“But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.”

Ephesians 4:15 CSB

There it is.

Christ is the Head.

Not the apostle.

Not the prophet.

Not the bishop.

Not the pastor.

Not the denominational leader.

Jesus.

Every genuine ministry gift should cause the Body to grow into Him.

Carry the Gift Without Needing the Glory

If God has called you to apostolic ministry, serve faithfully.

If God uses you prophetically, speak humbly and remain accountable.

If you’re an evangelist, proclaim Jesus and equip others to do the same.

If you’re a pastor, shepherd Christ’s sheep.

If you’re a teacher, handle Scripture carefully.

But none of us need to build our identity around our function.

Your gift is something Christ gave the Church through you.

It isn’t proof that you’re more important than the people you serve.

The greatest evidence of fivefold ministry isn’t five impressive titles sitting on a conference platform.

It is a mature Body of believers doing the work of ministry.

The gift isn’t given to elevate the minister.

The gift is given to equip the saints.

And when the fivefold ministry functions biblically, people should walk away talking less about how impressive the minister was and more about how magnificent Jesus is.

Coming Next — Part 5

Bishop, Elder, Overseer, and Deacon: What Does the Bible Actually Say?

Is a bishop above a pastor?

Is an elder different from an overseer?

Where do deacons fit?

And how much of the hierarchy familiar to us today actually comes from the New Testament?

Next, we will compare the biblical words presbyteros, episkopos, poimēn, and diakonos and separate New Testament leadership from later church tradition.

Part 3: Pastor Is a Function Before It Is a Title

Ministry, Honor, and Status in the Church

“Pastor” may be the most familiar leadership title in the modern Protestant church.

We say:

“Pastor Mike.”

“Pastor Sarah.”

“Senior Pastor.”

“Lead Pastor.”

“Executive Pastor.”

“Youth Pastor.”

“Worship Pastor.”

“Associate Pastor.”

There is nothing inherently wrong with using the word pastor this way.

But here is an interesting question:

How often does the New Testament actually use “Pastor” as a title before someone’s name?

The answer may surprise some people.

It doesn’t.

You don’t read:

“Pastor Peter.”

“Pastor Paul.”

“Pastor Timothy.”

“Pastor Titus.”

The New Testament recognizes pastoral ministry, but it focuses more on what leaders do than on what they are called.

Biblically, pastor is first a function.

Understanding this function can change how we view pastoral ministry.

What Does “Pastor” Actually Mean?

The word translated “pastors” in Ephesians 4:11 is the Greek word poimēn.

Its basic meaning is:

shepherd.

Paul writes:

“And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.”

— Ephesians 4:11 CSB

We often interpret this verse based on how churches are organized today.

We hear pastor and imagine someone standing behind a pulpit preaching every Sunday.

But Paul’s original readers would have heard:

shepherd.

That image makes a big difference.

A shepherd isn’t primarily someone with a microphone.

A shepherd cares for sheep.

A shepherd feeds.

A shepherd guides.

A shepherd protects.

A shepherd searches for those wandering.

A shepherd watches for danger.

A shepherd helps wounded sheep.

A shepherd leads the flock toward healthy pasture.

Before “Pastor” became a title, it described a responsibility to care for God’s people.

Jesus Is the Chief Shepherd

Pastoral ministry doesn’t begin with modern church leadership.

It begins with God Himself.

Throughout Scripture, God uses shepherd imagery to describe His relationship with His people.

David famously wrote:

“The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need.”

— Psalm 23:1 CSB

Jesus later said:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

— John 10:11 CSB

Peter calls Jesus:

“the chief Shepherd.”

— 1 Peter 5:4 CSB

This means every pastor on earth is an under-shepherd.

The Church doesn’t belong to the pastor.

The sheep don’t belong to the pastor.

The ministry doesn’t ultimately belong to the pastor.

The Church belongs to Jesus.

This point is very important.

Pastors aren’t owners of congregations.

They are stewards of people who belong to Christ.

Jesus Told Peter to Feed Sheep

After Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus restored him in John 21.

Three times Jesus questioned Peter about his love.

Then Jesus gave Peter responsibilities.

“Feed my lambs.”

— John 21:15 CSB

Then:

“Shepherd my sheep.”

— John 21:16 CSB

And:

“Feed my sheep.”

— John 21:17 CSB

Notice what Jesus didn’t say.

“Peter, make sure everyone recognizes your position.”

“Peter, establish your title.”

“Peter, demand respect for your office.”

Jesus gave Peter sheep to care for.

Also, notice something even more important:

Jesus repeatedly called them“my sheep.”

Not Peter’s sheep.

Christ’s sheep.

This truth should humble every pastor.

The people we lead belong to Jesus.

Pastor, Elder, and Overseer

This is where the New Testament becomes particularly interesting.

Modern churches sometimes treat pastor,  elder, and bishop/overseer as completely separate levels of church hierarchy.

But the New Testament often uses these ideas in overlapping ways.

Consider Acts 20.

Paul summons the elders of the church at Ephesus.

“Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church.”

— Acts 20:17 CSB

Later, speaking to those same elders, Paul says:

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.”

— Acts 20:28 CSB

Look carefully.

The same group is connected with three ideas:

Elders.

Overseers.

Shepherding.

This suggests these terms describe connected parts of church leadership, not three separate ranks.

Elder emphasizes maturity and leadership.

Overseer emphasizes responsibility and supervision.

The shepherd/pastor emphasizes caring for the flock.

Different words.

Overlapping ministry.

Peter Uses the Same Pattern

Peter does something similar.

He writes:

“I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed: Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you.”

— 1 Peter 5:1–2 CSB

Again:

Elders shepherd.

Shepherds oversee.

This matters because, over time, church history created complex systems of titles and hierarchy. Organizations organize leadership differently, and not every organizational distinction is necessarily sinful.

But we should be careful about claiming that every modern hierarchy comes directly from the New Testament.

Sometimes church traditions have made distinctions that Scripture does not highlight.

The Qualifications Are Mostly About Character

One of the strongest arguments against title-centered ministry is found in the qualifications for leadership.

Read 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

What does Paul emphasize?

Character.

Self-control.

Faithfulness.

Hospitality.

Maturity.

Ability to teach.

Family leadership.

Reputation.

Doctrine.

Paul doesn’t say:

“He must have a large following.”

“He must be charismatic.”

“He must have an impressive platform.”

“He must have a theological degree.”

“He must be an excellent marketer.”

“He must have a large church.”

“He must have an impressive title.”

The biblical qualifications overwhelmingly focus on who the person is.

This should tell us something important.

God is more concerned about the character behind the title than the title in front of the name.

You Can Have the Title and Not Shepherd

This is where the conversation becomes uncomfortable.

You can have the title “Pastor” without actually functioning as a biblical shepherd.

Someone can preach every Sunday and rarely know the sheep.

Someone can build an organization without shepherding people.

Someone can become an excellent communicator while being a poor pastor.

Someone can manage employees, budgets, buildings, and programs while rarely carrying people’s burdens.

That doesn’t mean administration or preaching is unimportant.

Both matter.

But shepherding is more than just leading from the stage.

Peter says:

“Shepherd God’s flock among you.”

— 1 Peter 5:2 CSB

There is proximity in that statement shows closeness. We have to know sheep.

You Can Shepherd Without Having the Title

The opposite can also happen.

Some people function pastorally but may never carry the formal title “Pastor.”

They disciple people.

They pray with hurting families.

They teach Scripture.

They walk alongside new believers.

They notice when someone disappears.

They call the person nobody else called.

They sit in hospital rooms.

They encourage the discouraged.

They help restore the fallen.

They protect vulnerable people.

They patiently guide believers toward maturity.

They may never stand behind a pulpit.

Nobody may introduce them as Pastor.

But their ministry is still deeply pastoral.

That doesn’t mean everyone who cares for people automatically holds the church office of pastor or elder.

Biblical offices carry real responsibility and accountability.

But it reminds us that ministry is more than just titles.

Shepherds Don’t Own Sheep

This may be one of the most important corrections needed in modern pastoral culture.

Sometimes pastors begin speaking about people possessively.

“My members.”

“My people.”

“My church.”

“My sheep.”

Those expressions may be harmless shorthand.

But if we are not careful, they can reveal something unhealthy.

Jesus said:

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me.”

— John 10:14 CSB

They are His sheep.

Paul told the Ephesian elders that Christ purchased the Church with His own blood.

Pastor, you didn’t purchase the Church.

Jesus did.

You didn’t die for the sheep.

Jesus did.

You aren’t the head of the Church.

Jesus is.

This means biblical pastoral authority should always be about stewardship.

We care for what belongs to Someone else.

Pastoral Authority Isn’t Ownership

This also changes how we handle people who leave churches.

A shepherd can grieve when someone leaves.

A pastor can believe someone is making an unwise decision.

A leader can lovingly warn someone.

But pastors should be extremely cautious about behaving as though believers require pastoral permission to obey God.

People belong to Jesus.

Healthy pastoral leadership says:

“How can I help you follow Christ?”

Unhealthy leadership says:

“How can I keep you under me?”

These are very different questions.

The pastor’s goal isn’t to create dependence upon the pastor.

The goal is to help believers mature in Christ.

Paul explains the purpose of ministry leadership:

“equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ.”

— Ephesians 4:12 CSB

Pastors aren’t supposed to do all the ministry.

Pastors help equip God’s people to minister.

The Goal Is Mature Sheep

Paul continues:

“until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.”

— Ephesians 4:13 CSB

Notice the goal.

Maturity.

Healthy pastors aren’t trying to keep believers spiritually dependent forever.

They want people to grow.

Learn Scripture.

Recognize God’s voice through His Word.

Develop discernment.

Discover their gifts.

Serve others.

Make disciples.

Become mature followers of Jesus. A pastor who needs people to stay spiritually immature to feel important has misunderstood pastoral ministry.

A shepherd celebrates when sheep become strong.

Pastors Are Also Sheep

This truth is easy to forget.

A pastor is still part of the flock.

Pastors need accountability.

Pastors need correction.

Pastors need encouragement.

Pastors need community.

Pastors need discipleship.

Pastors need repentance.

Pastors need grace.

Pastors need Jesus.

Having the title does not make someone a different kind of Christian.

Remember Jesus’ words:

“You are all brothers and sisters.”

— Matthew 23:8 CSB

A pastor carries a particular responsibility within the family.

But they remain part of the family.

What Should We Call Our Pastors?

There is nothing biblically problematic about respectfully calling someone “Pastor.”

If someone says:

“Pastor James.”

“Pastor Maria.”

“Pastor Toney.”

That can express affection, recognition, and honor.

Likewise, someone using a pastor’s first name isn’t automatically dishonoring them.

Scripture doesn’t give us a command:

“You must address your church leader as Pastor.”

The important issue isn’t the vocabulary.

It is the heart behind it.

A congregation can honor its pastors.

Pastors should be secure in Christ and not feel the need to demand honor.

The Test of a Pastor Isn’t the Title

If you want to know whether someone is functioning biblically as a pastor, don’t begin by looking at the sign outside the office.

Look for shepherding.

Are people being fed God’s Word?

Are hurting people being cared for?

Are wandering people being pursued?

Are vulnerable people being protected?

Are believers being equipped?

Are immature believers becoming mature?

Is truth being taught?

Is sin being confronted with grace and truth?

Is restoration happening?

Are people becoming increasingly dependent upon Jesus?

That’s pastoral ministry.

The title may identify it.

But the title alone cannot create it.

Carry the Towel Before the Title

There is nothing wrong with being called Pastor.

But it is a problem if being called Pastor matters more than actually being a pastor.

Jesus never told Peter to build a title.

He told him:

Feed my sheep.

Shepherd my sheep.

Feed my sheep.

That remains the assignment.

So perhaps every pastor should occasionally ask:

If nobody called me Pastor tomorrow, would I still shepherd God’s people?

If the answer is yes, keep serving.

Keep feeding.

Keep protecting.

Keep loving.

Keep equipping.

Keep pointing people toward Jesus.

When we stand before the Chief Shepherd, our title will not be what matters.

Faithfulness will.

Pastor is a beautiful description when a shepherd is actually behind it.

Coming Next — Part 4

Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers: Titles or Gifts?

Ephesians 4 identifies five ministries Christ gave His Church.

But why did He give them?

Were they intended to create five levels of spiritual authority—or five ways Christ equips His Body?

Next, we will examine the so-called fivefold ministry, whether these ministries should function today, and what happens when a gift intended to equip the Church becomes a title used to elevate the minister.

Part 2: “Call No Man Father”: What Did Jesus Actually Mean?

Ministry, Honor, and Status in the Church

Few things Jesus said about religious titles have sparked as much discussion as these words:

“Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven.”

— Matthew 23:9 CSB

Some believers think the meaning is clear:

Christians should never call a spiritual leader “Father.”

Others note that Scripture uses the word ‘father’ for both biological fathers and spiritual relationships.

Paul called himself a father to believers.

Stephen spoke of “brothers and fathers.”

John repeatedly called believers his “little children.”

So what was Jesus actually forbidding?

Was Jesus setting a rule that certain words should never be used?

Or was he addressing a deeper issue among the religious leaders of his time?

To answer this well, we need to look at Matthew 23:9 in the context of the whole chapter.

We need to consider everything Jesus said in this passage.

When we do, we see that his warning goes far beyond just using the word ‘Father’ as a title.

Jesus was challenging a religious culture focused on status, recognition, hierarchy, and spiritual superiority.

This warning applies to every generation of the Church.

Start With the Context

Matthew 23 begins with Jesus addressing the crowds and His disciples concerning the scribes and Pharisees.

Jesus said:

“The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses. Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach.”

— Matthew 23:2–3 CSB

Pay attention to this key point.

Jesus recognized their position while confronting their character.

That alone teaches us something about biblical authority.

A position can be valid even if the person in it acts wrongly.

Jesus did not value position by itself.

He cared if a person’s life matched what they taught.

Then He identified several problems.

They put heavy burdens on people.

They wanted their religious devotion noticed.

They wanted prominent positions.

They wanted public recognition.

And they loved prestigious religious titles.

Jesus said:

“They do everything to be seen by others.”

— Matthew 23:5 CSB

That sentence helps interpret everything that follows.

The issue is not merely vocabulary.

The issue is religious self-exaltation.

They Loved Being Recognized

Jesus continued:

“They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.”

— Matthew 23:6–7 CSB

Notice the repeated emphasis.

They loved the place of honor.

They loved the front seats.

They loved the public greetings.

They loved being called Rabbi.

There is something appealing about being seen as spiritually important.

This is the setting for Jesus’ next words.

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ because you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters.”

— Matthew 23:8 CSB

Then:

“Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven.”

— Matthew 23:9 CSB

And then:

“You are not to be called instructors either, because you have one Instructor, the Messiah.”

— Matthew 23:10 CSB

We should not separate verse 9 from verses 8 and 10.

Jesus mentions three categories:

Teacher.

Father.

Instructor.

Then he makes a bold statement:

“You are all brothers and sisters.”

This is the main point of the passage.

Jesus Was Dismantling Spiritual Elitism

Jesus wasn’t denying leadership.

He Himself appointed apostles.

The New Testament later recognizes elders, overseers, deacons, pastors, teachers, prophets, and evangelists.

The Church clearly has leadership.

But leadership does not make anyone a better Christian than others.

Before God, we all stand as equals.

Pastors need the same blood of Jesus as everyone else.

Prophets need the same grace.

Bishops need the same Savior.

Teachers need the same Holy Spirit.

Apostles need the same forgiveness.

Both the preacher and the person in the last row enter God’s Kingdom through Christ.

They may have different roles, but everyone has the same access to God.

That’s why Jesus says:

“You are all brothers and sisters.”

The Kingdom has leadership.

But in God’s Kingdom, no one takes the Father’s place or becomes a spiritual celebrity.

But Didn’t Paul Call Himself a Father?

Here, we need to let Scripture explain itself.

Paul told the Corinthians:

“For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

— 1 Corinthians 4:15 CSB

That’s significant.

If Jesus meant that ‘father’ could never describe a spiritual relationship, then Paul would seem to go against Jesus’ teaching.

But Paul was not asking the Corinthians to call him ‘Father Paul’ as a title.

He is describing his relationship to them.

He had brought the Gospel to them.

He had cared for them.

He had invested in their spiritual development.

He was speaking in family terms.

Paul similarly told Timothy:

“To Timothy, my true son in the faith.”

— 1 Timothy 1:2 CSB

If Timothy could be called Paul’s son in the faith, then Paul could also be seen as a spiritual father.

The relationship isn’t the problem.

The problem is putting someone on a pedestal.

Scripture Uses “Father” in Several Ways

The Bible clearly uses ‘father’ for biological fathers.

The fifth commandment says:

“Honor your father and your mother.”

— Exodus 20:12 CSB

Jesus Himself quoted this command.

So Matthew 23:9 cannot mean Christians are forbidden from saying, “That’s my father.”

Scripture also uses father-language historically.

Stephen addressed Israel’s leaders:

“Brothers and fathers, listen.”

— Acts 7:2 CSB

Paul similarly addressed a crowd:

“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.”

— Acts 22:1 CSB

Clearly, the word itself is not wrong.

Jesus was challenging people who used their religious status to lift themselves above others.

The Real Danger: Replacing God’s Position

Jesus’ warning includes another important point.

He says:

“You have one Father, who is in heaven.”

This protects something very important.

No spiritual leader should take God’s place.

A pastor can guide you.

A teacher can instruct you.

A mentor can counsel you.

A mature believer can disciple you.

Someone may even function like a spiritual father or mother in your life.

But no one else stands between you and God.

Paul writes:

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus.”

— 1 Timothy 2:5 CSB

That position belongs to Jesus alone.

This is where spiritual leadership can go wrong.

When someone begins implying:

“You need me to hear God.”

“You cannot fulfill your calling without my approval.”

“You cannot leave my spiritual covering.”

“God speaks to you through me.”

“Your blessing depends upon your connection to me.”

At that point, we have left healthy discipleship behind.

A godly leader helps people depend more deeply upon Jesus.

An unhealthy leader makes people depend more and more on the leader.

That difference is important.

Spiritual Fathers Can Exist Without Becoming Spiritual Lords

Some believers have genuinely played father-like roles in people’s lives.

They discipled them.

Encouraged them.

Corrected them.

Prayed for them.

Helped them mature.

Celebrated their victories.

Walked with them through failures.

That kind of relationship is special.

Paul modeled it.

But Paul never asked for blind loyalty.

In fact, he told believers:

“Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.”

— 1 Corinthians 11:1 CSB

Notice the condition Paul gives, as I am following Jesus.

Paul was not the goal.

Christ was the goal.

Healthy spiritual leadership always points people to Jesus, not to itself.

Another reason to be careful about reading Matthew 23 as a total ban on certain words is that Jesus says:

“You have one Teacher.”

Yet Ephesians says:

“And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.”

— Ephesians 4:11 CSB

God clearly gives teachers to the Church.

So Jesus was not saying that no one could ever teach; he was showing who the true source of authority is.

Christ is our supreme Teacher.

Human teachers serve under Christ’s authority.

The same idea helps us understand how ‘father’ is used.

God is our ultimate Father.

Any earthly or spiritual fatherhood is under God’s authority and can never take His place.

Be Careful When Titles Demand Allegiance

Changing words alone does not solve the problem.

Someone could refuse every religious title and still become controlling.

Another person could be respectfully called “Pastor” without ever seeking status.

What matters most is the heart.

But sometimes, titles show what is really going on inside.

We should become concerned whenever a spiritual title begins demanding:

special treatment,

automatic obedience,

unquestioned loyalty,

financial privilege,

exclusive access,

personal allegiance,

or immunity from correction.

Jesus did not create a group of untouchable religious leaders.

He called for leaders who serve others.

“You Are All Brothers and Sisters”

Perhaps the most overlooked statement in this entire passage is Matthew 23:8:

“You are all brothers and sisters.”

Take a moment to reflect on that.

The person preaching is your brother.

The person leading worship is your sister.

The elder is your brother.

The missionary is your sister.

The evangelist is your brother.

The prophet is your sister.

They might have different responsibilities.

They might have different gifts.

They might have real authority within the right biblical limits.

But they are still part of the same family.

No title can change that.

The Greatest Still Serves

Jesus finishes this section by saying:

“The greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

— Matthew 23:11–12 CSB

This is how leadership is measured in God’s Kingdom. Not:

How impressive is your title?

But:

How faithfully do you serve?

Not:

How many people recognize your authority?

But:

How closely do you resemble Jesus?

Not:

How important is your position?

But:

How willing are you to take the lowest position?

Some people in the Church have no title at all but show great spiritual maturity. Others may have impressive titles, but their character does not match their position. Jesus tells us where greatness is found.

Serving others.

So Should We Call Someone “Father”?

Christians will continue to disagree about whether “Father” should be used as a formal religious title.

Some believers avoid it completely because they believe Matthew 23 requires that conclusion.

Others understand Jesus’ words primarily as a prohibition against spiritual status and recognize biblical uses of father-language.

We should be careful not to judge faithful believers on either side of this issue.

But one thing should be clear:

No spiritual leader should ever occupy the place in someone’s life that belongs to God alone.

Someone can mentor you without owning you.

Someone can disciple you without controlling you.

Someone can correct you without becoming your mediator.

Someone can function like a spiritual father without replacing your heavenly Father.

Every true spiritual leader should help you depend more on Jesus, not on themselves.

The goal of ministry isn’t to gather spiritual sons and daughters around ourselves.

The goal is to help God’s sons and daughters grow into maturity in Christ.

That is a big difference.

We can honor people without putting them on a pedestal.

We can accept leadership without giving up Christ’s authority in our lives.

We can value spiritual relationships without turning people into spiritual royalty.

Because Jesus has already told us who we truly are:

Brothers and sisters under one Father, following one Messiah.

Coming Next — Part 3

Pastor Is a Function Before It Is a Title

Is “Pastor” actually a biblical title?

We will examine the Greek word poimēn, the relationship between pastors, elders, and overseers, and something that may surprise many Christians:

The New Testament says far more about what a pastor does than what people should call one.

Part 1: When the Title Becomes the Identity

Ministry, Honor, and Status in the Church

There is nothing inherently wrong with calling someone “Pastor.”

It’s not inherently spiritual either.

That distinction matters.

Somewhere along the way, parts of the Church began treating titles as evidence of spiritual authority. Pastor. Bishop. Apostle. Prophet. Reverend. Doctor. Overseer. Elder.

Sometimes the title identifies someone’s responsibility. Other times, however, the title begins communicating rank.

Occasionally, the title becomes more important to the person carrying it than the ministry it is supposed to represent.

That is where we have a problem.

The New Testament absolutely recognizes leadership. It recognizes apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. It speaks of elders, overseers, and deacons. Scripture commands believers to recognize godly leadership and to honor those who faithfully labor among God’s people.

So the biblical answer is not:

“Titles are bad.”

The better question is:

What place should titles have in the Body of Christ?

Because there is a significant difference between a title that describes your service and a title that defines your significance.

Jesus Had Something to Say About Religious Titles

One of the strongest passages concerning religious recognition comes from Jesus Himself.

In Matthew 23, Jesus confronted the scribes and Pharisees.

His criticism was not simply about what they believed. He exposed something happening in their hearts.

Jesus said:

“They do everything to be seen by others: They enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.”

Matthew 23:5–7 CSB

Notice the progression.

They wanted to be seen.

They wanted places of honor.

They wanted public recognition.

They wanted people to acknowledge their position.

The problem wasn’t merely the word Rabbi.

The problem was what the title had come to represent.

Their identity had become attached to recognition.

Jesus was exposing religious pride.

That same temptation still exists.

We can change the terminology while keeping the same heart.

Instead of “Rabbi,” it can become:

“Pastor.”

“Bishop.”

“Prophet.”

“Apostle.”

“Reverend.”

“Doctor.”

The vocabulary changes.

The temptation doesn’t.

Would You Still Serve Without the Title?

Here is one of the most revealing questions any ministry leader can ask:

If nobody ever called me by my title again, would I still do what God called me to do?

Would you still preach?

Would you still pray?

Would you still visit the hospital?

Would you still disciple people?

Would you still counsel struggling marriages?

Would you still serve the forgotten?

Would you still clean the church?

Would you still feed people?

Would you still share the Gospel?

Would you still shepherd people if nobody called you “Pastor”?

Would you still prophesy if nobody called you “Prophet”?

Would you still equip and establish ministries if nobody introduced you as “Apostle”?

Because if the calling disappears when the title disappears, we need to ask whether we were serving the calling or serving the identity the title gave us.

Jesus never taught His disciples to pursue religious status.

He taught them to serve.

Jesus Turned the Leadership Pyramid Upside Down

The disciples themselves struggled with status.

James and John wanted prominent positions in Jesus’ kingdom.

The other disciples became angry, but Jesus used the situation to explain how Kingdom leadership works.

“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all.”

Mark 10:42–44 CSB

Then Jesus gave Himself as the example:

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45 CSB

That completely changes our understanding of ministry leadership.

In the world, authority often means:

People serve me.

In the Kingdom, authority means:

I have greater responsibility to serve them.

The higher the responsibility, the more willing we should be to bend.

Jesus demonstrated this dramatically when He washed His disciples’ feet.

The King knelt.

The Lord became the servant.

The One possessing all authority picked up the towel.

That is biblical leadership.

The New Testament Recognizes Roles

We also have to avoid swinging the pendulum too far.

Some people read Jesus’ warnings about titles and conclude that recognizing ministry offices is somehow unbiblical.

Scripture doesn’t support that conclusion.

Paul writes:

“And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:11–12 CSB

These ministries are real.

But notice their purpose.

They weren’t given so certain Christians could become spiritually important.

They were given for equipping the saints.

The gift isn’t primarily about the person carrying it.

The gift exists for the Body.

A pastor exists to shepherd people.

A teacher exists to teach people.

An evangelist exists to proclaim the Gospel and equip others in Gospel ministry.

A prophet serves God’s purposes in the Body.

An apostolic ministry serves the mission and establishment of Christ’s Church.

Whatever our understanding of these ministries, Ephesians tells us their direction:

Toward the Body, not toward the ego.

A Title Cannot Produce Authority.

This is especially important in modern ministry culture.

Putting “Pastor” before your name doesn’t make you a shepherd.

Putting “Prophet” before your name doesn’t make you prophetic.

Putting “Apostle” before your name doesn’t make you apostolic.

Putting “Bishop” before your name doesn’t automatically make you an overseer.

Putting “Dr.” before your name may represent legitimate academic achievement, but it doesn’t automatically make someone spiritually mature.

A title can identify something.

It cannot create it.

You can print a thousand business cards saying “Pastor,” but eventually the sheep will know whether you shepherd them.

Fruit reveals ministry.

Character reveals maturity.

Service reveals the heart.

Jesus said:

“You’ll recognize them by their fruit.”

Matthew 7:16 CSB

Not their title.

Not their platform.

Not their social media following.

Not their introduction.

Their fruit.

When Correction Becomes an Alarm Bell

One thing that should concern us is when someone becomes deeply offended because another person failed to use their title.

Imagine someone saying:

“You will address me as Apostle.”

“It’s Bishop, not Pastor.”

“Don’t call me by my first name. I’m Prophet ______.”

“You need to address me as Doctor.”

Cultural and professional contexts may call for titles that communicate respect. Courtesy isn’t sinful.

But when recognition becomes a demand, we should examine what is happening in the heart.

Jesus said:

“The greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Matthew 23:11–12 CSB

Kingdom authority doesn’t need constant verbal reinforcement.

A shepherd doesn’t become a shepherd because everyone remembers to call him Pastor.

He shepherds because God called him to do it.

Honor Is Still Biblical

This conversation must not become an excuse for dishonoring spiritual leadership.

Scripture says:

“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work.”

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 CSB

Notice why they are honored:

Because of their work.

Biblical honor recognizes faithful service.

Celebrity culture elevates personalities.

Those are not the same thing.

We should honor faithful pastors.

We should appreciate elders.

We should recognize those who teach us the Word.

We should respect godly leaders.

But biblical leaders should never need the Church to inflate their importance.

Honor should be given freely, not demanded forcefully.

Your Greatest Identity Isn’t Your Ministry

This may be the most important point.

Before you are a pastor, you are a follower of Jesus.

Before you are an apostle, prophet, evangelist, teacher, bishop, elder, deacon, missionary, worship leader, or ministry director, you belong to Christ.

Your deepest identity isn’t your assignment.

Your identity is found in Jesus.

Ministry can change.

Positions can change.

Churches can change.

Assignments can end.

Platforms can disappear.

Titles can be removed.

But your identity in Christ remains.

Paul wrote:

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!”

2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB

That’s an identity worth holding tightly.

The Towel Matters More Than the Title

There is nothing necessarily wrong with someone calling you Pastor.

There is nothing necessarily wrong with recognizing someone as an elder, bishop, evangelist, prophet, teacher, or apostle when those descriptions accurately reflect biblical ministry.

The danger begins when we need the title.

When we crave it.

When we demand it.

When we measure our importance by it.

When we believe it places us above other believers.

When losing the title feels like losing our identity.

Jesus offers us something better than religious status.

He gives us a towel.

And perhaps one of the healthiest questions any leader can regularly ask is:

Am I more concerned about what people call me or whether I am faithfully doing what Jesus called me to do?

Because at the end of our lives, Jesus isn’t going to be impressed by what was printed before our names.

What matters is whether we faithfully followed Him.

Let the title describe the service.

Never let the title replace the servant.

Coming Next: Part 2

“Call No Man Father”: What Did Jesus Actually Mean?

We will walk carefully through Matthew 23 and examine Jesus’ statements about Rabbi, teacher, father, religious recognition, and spiritual authority.

Because before we build a doctrine around one sentence, we need to hear that sentence in the context in which Jesus actually spoke it.

There’s a story about a group of soldiers who trained together for years. They were close friends, Rangers who had spent countless hours preparing for the day they would be called to serve. The night before deployment, they went around the barracks, sharing high-fives and fist bumps, excited for the battle they had worked so hard to face. But when they reached the tenth man’s bunk, he was missing. His boots, uniform, and packed bag were all there, but he was gone. The next morning, only nine men left for deployment. One stayed behind.

That picture should make every follower of Jesus pause and think.

In many ways, the church today is like that empty bunk. The boots are there, the Bible sits on the nightstand, the Christian t-shirt is folded in the drawer, and the worship playlist is ready to go. But when it’s time to step up and take action, too many of us are missing. We know how to gather together, but we rarely get in the game.

---

In Luke 9:23-27, Jesus isn’t giving advice. He gives clear instructions. He speaks to everyone, not just his closest followers or religious leaders, and explains what it really means to follow him: Deny yourself. Take up your cross every day. Follow me.

These aren’t just tips from a life coach. They are the words of a King, telling his people what it truly costs to walk with him.

Denying yourself isn’t something you do just once. It’s a choice you make every day. Each morning, you face the same question: who is in charge of your heart today? The world constantly tells you that your comfort and your own plans matter most. But Jesus says something different. He reminds you that you were bought at a price, and because of that, he has the right to guide your life.

That is the part we quietly resist. We are glad to have Jesus as Savior. We are far less eager to have him as Lord. We want the rescue without the surrender. But denying yourself means agreeing, every single day, that your life is not your own. It means putting other people in front of yourself not because it is convenient or comfortable, but because that is exactly what Jesus did when he left heaven, took on flesh, and walked to a cross he did not deserve.

Taking up your cross isn’t easy to hear, and we haven’t helped ourselves by making the cross just a piece of jewelry. In Jesus’ time, the cross wasn’t a decoration. It was a tool for execution, something a condemned person carried to their own death. When Jesus tells us to pick up our cross every day, he’s asking us to let our old ways die so that something better can take their place.

This is what Luke 9:24 is talking about when it describes the core paradox of following Jesus: if you try to save your life, you’ll lose it, but if you give up your life for Jesus, you’ll find it. If you want to live, you have to let go. If you want to receive, you need to give. If you want to be great in God’s kingdom, serve others. The world doesn’t teach this way of thinking, but it’s how God’s kingdom works, and it always proves true.

Following Jesus means taking action. It’s not just a mindset or a feeling, and it’s not something that stays hidden in your private life. You can’t follow someone by standing still. It means getting up, stepping out, and sometimes going places you wouldn’t have picked for yourself.

This is where many well-meaning believers get stuck. They listen to the teaching, go to church, and agree with what they hear. But they never take the next step. The group keeps gathering, but no one actually puts the lessons into practice. All the preparation never turns into real action.

But following Jesus isn’t always about big, dramatic moments. Sometimes it’s as simple as holding the door and being kind to a stranger. It could mean helping clean up when no one else wants to, or sitting with a widow just to keep her company. It might even be buying a meal for someone who was rude to you, because God cares about people, not just their mistakes, and he wants you to care too.

Jesus also warns in Luke 9:26 about the danger of being ashamed of your faith in public. If your faith only shows up behind closed doors, it’s not really following Jesus—it’s hiding from him. Who you are in private and in public should be the same, because eventually, everything hidden comes out. The enemy is already looking for ways to reveal your inconsistencies.t.

The struggle is real. Life isn’t getting any simpler, and the challenges aren’t going away. Marriages are facing problems, families are feeling the strain, and people around you are struggling while the church stays comfortable and inactive.

The real question isn’t whether you believe Jesus is the Messiah—most of you would quickly say yes. The harder question is this: if you believe it, what are you doing about it?

Get up. Deny yourself. Pick up your cross. Take action.

The battle won’t wait until you feel ready.

Part 8: Jesus Is the Head

Recovering the New Testament Family

Throughout this series, we’ve asked some difficult questions.

Do spiritual fathers exist?

What about spiritual mothers?

Does every believer need a spiritual covering?

What does biblical submission actually mean?

Does “Touch not my anointed” mean spiritual leaders cannot be questioned?

Do believers need a leader’s permission before obeying what they believe God has called them to do?

And what is the real purpose of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers?

These questions matter.

But I don’t want to finish this series merely talking about what the Church shouldn’t become.

I want to talk about what the Church should be.

Because the answer to unhealthy spiritual authority isn’t rejecting spiritual authority.

The answer to controlling leadership isn’t leaderless Christianity.

The answer to an unhealthy church isn’t isolation.

The answer to abusive submission isn’t rebellion.

The answer to unhealthy spiritual fathers and mothers isn’t eliminating discipleship.

The answer to misuse of apostolic or prophetic ministry isn’t automatically rejecting everything supernatural.

The answer is actually simpler, but also more challenging.

We need to recover the New Testament picture of the Church under the absolute lordship of Jesus Christ.

Because when Jesus occupies His proper place, everybody else begins finding theirs.

JESUS IS THE HEAD

Paul couldn’t be clearer.

Colossians 1:18 (CSB)says:

“He is also the head of the body, the church…”

Not:

The senior pastor is the head.

Not:

The bishop is the head.

Not:

The apostle is the head.

Not:

The spiritual father is the head.

Not:

The denominational leader is the head.

Jesus is the Head.

This is more than just theological language.

It should affect how churches actually operate.

A body receives direction from its head.

The head coordinates the body.

The head gives direction.

The body exists in submission to the head.

So if Christ is truly the Head of the Church, then every other form of spiritual authority must remain beneath His authority.

Every pastor.

Every elder.

Every apostle.

Every prophet.

Every evangelist.

Every teacher.

Every ministry leader.

Every Christian.

All of us are under Christ.

THE CHURCH BELONGS TO JESUS

Pastors sometimes say:

“My church.”

I understand what we mean.

I might use the phrase conversationally myself.

But spiritually, we need to remember:

It isn’t our church.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:18:

“I will build my church…”

His Church.

Jesus purchased her.

Jesus builds her.

Jesus leads her.

Jesus protects her.

Jesus disciplines her.

Jesus loves her.

Jesus will present her to Himself.

Pastors are stewards.

We aren’t owners.

That’s why Peter tells elders in 1 Peter 5:2:

“Shepherd God’s flock among you…”

Whose flock?

God’s.

That should profoundly affect pastoral leadership.

When I’m dealing with someone in the congregation, I’m dealing with someone who belongs to Jesus.

When I counsel them, they belong to Jesus.

When I correct them, they belong to Jesus.

When I preach to them, they belong to Jesus.

When they disappoint me, they still belong to Jesus.

When they disagree with me, they still belong to Jesus.

Even if they eventually leave the congregation, they still belong to Jesus.

A pastor who remembers that will lead differently.

JESUS IS THE CHIEF SHEPHERD

Peter gives pastors another important reminder in 1 Peter 5:4:

“And when the chief Shepherd appears…”

Jesus is the Chief Shepherd.

That means every other shepherd is an under-shepherd.

Pastors really do have authority.

They really do oversee.

They really do correct.

They really do protect.

They really do lead.

But always under Jesus.

A shepherd cannot legitimately use authority contrary to the Chief Shepherd.

That’s the boundary.

GOD IS OUR FATHER

This brings us back to where the series began.

Jesus said in Matthew 23:9:

“Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven.”

As we discussed earlier, Jesus wasn’t prohibiting normal biological language.

Paul himself uses father imagery.

But Jesus was confronting religious status and hierarchy.

And immediately surrounding that statement is another beautiful declaration:

“You are all brothers and sisters.”

That’s the family Jesus is creating.

God is our Father.

Jesus is our Lord.

And we are brothers and sisters.

That doesn’t eliminate leadership.

It changes the spirit in which leadership operates.

The pastor isn’t a king ruling subjects.

He is a brother entrusted with shepherding responsibility.

The apostle isn’t royalty.

He is a servant sent by Christ.

The prophet isn’t an oracle whose words can never be questioned.

Prophetic ministry operates within Christ’s body and is evaluated biblically.

The teacher isn’t the source of truth.

The teacher serves the truth God has revealed.

Different responsibilities.

Different gifts.

Different levels of maturity.

But one family.

JESUS REDEFINED LEADERSHIP

The disciples struggled with this.

They argued about greatness.

They wondered about position.

They wanted prominence.

It sounds remarkably modern.

Jesus responded in Matthew 20:25–28 by pointing out how Gentile rulers “lord it over” people.

Then He said:

“It must not be like that among you.”

That statement should be written across every Christian leadership conference.

“It must not be like that among you.”

Kingdom leadership must look different.

Jesus continues by explaining that greatness in His kingdom is demonstrated through service.

Then He points to Himself.

The Son of Man didn’t come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.

That’s our leadership model.

Not celebrity.

Not corporate power.

Not religious royalty.

Jesus.

JESUS WASHED FEET

John 13 gives us one of the most powerful pictures of spiritual authority imaginable.

Jesus knows exactly who He is.

He knows where He came from.

He knows where He is going.

And what does He do?

He takes a towel.

He washes feet.

Think about that.

The highest authority in the room performs the lowest servant’s task.

That’s kingdom authority.

Secure authority doesn’t constantly need to prove that it is in charge.

Jesus didn’t need a special chair.

He didn’t need everyone carrying His Bible.

He didn’t need people announcing His titles.

He knew who He was.

So He served.

Imagine what church leadership would look like if John 13 shaped our understanding of authority as strongly as Hebrews 13:17.

Yes, believers should respond appropriately to spiritual leadership.

But leaders should also wash feet.

Not necessarily literally every Sunday.

But in posture.

In humility.

In service.

THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLS IN GOD’S PEOPLE

Another reality radically shapes New Testament community.

Under the New Covenant, the Spirit of God doesn’t dwell only upon a few elite leaders.

He dwells within God’s people.

Paul asks believers in 1 Corinthians 6:19 whether they know that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit isn’t reserved for the pastor.

The Spirit isn’t reserved for the prophet.

The Spirit isn’t reserved for the apostle.

Every genuine believer has the Holy Spirit.

That doesn’t mean every believer is equally mature.

It doesn’t mean everybody has the same gifts.

It doesn’t mean we don’t need teachers.

But it does mean spiritual leaders must never act as though they have access to God that ordinary Christians cannot.

THE WORD IS AVAILABLE TO THE PEOPLE

Imagine living centuries ago when ordinary believers didn’t have personal access to Scripture the way many of us do today.

Now many Christians have multiple Bibles.

We have Scripture on our phones.

We can compare translations.

We can study context.

That privilege creates responsibility.

Don’t outsource your Bible reading to your pastor.

Listen to sermons.

Absolutely.

Receive teaching.

Absolutely.

But open Scripture yourself.

Read.

Study.

Ask questions.

Learn.

Be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, who examined Scripture to see if what they heard was true.

Healthy pastors should celebrate that.

WE NEED PASTORS

After everything we’ve discussed, someone might conclude:

“So pastors aren’t that important.”

That’s not my conclusion at all.

We desperately need pastors.

Real pastors.

Shepherds.

People who know the sheep.

People who preach truth.

People who protect against wolves.

People who sit beside hospital beds.

People who counsel broken marriages.

People who bury loved ones.

People who celebrate restoration.

People who correct error.

People who pray.

People who teach.

People who carry burdens nobody else knows about.

People who watch over souls knowing they’ll answer to God.

We don’t need less pastoral leadership.

We need more biblical pastoral leadership.

WE NEED SPIRITUAL FATHERS

Yes, after an entire series questioning some uses of that terminology, I believe we need spiritual fathers—in the relational sense Paul demonstrated.

We need mature men who will invest in younger men.

We need older ministers helping younger ministers.

We need believers who can say:

“Walk with me.”

“I’ve made some mistakes you don’t need to repeat.”

“Let me show you what I’ve learned.”

“Let me pray with you.”

“Let me correct you.”

“Let me encourage you.”

“Let me help you become everything Jesus is calling you to become.”

That’s beautiful.

Just don’t build a throne out of it.

WE NEED SPIRITUAL MOTHERS

We need Titus 2 women.

Women who have walked with Jesus.

Women who know Scripture.

Women who have endured difficulty.

Women who can teach younger women.

Women who can encourage.

Women who can correct.

Women who can demonstrate faithfulness.

Women who can love someone so deeply that, like Paul speaking of Rufus’s mother inRomans 16:13, somebody can truthfully say:

“She became like a mother to me.”

That’s beautiful too.

Again:

Relationship.

Not rank.

WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY

Nobody should walk alone.

Especially leaders.

Pastors need people who can ask them hard questions.

“How is your marriage?”

“How is your thought life?”

“What are you watching?”

“How are you handling money?”

“Are you becoming prideful?”

“Are you exhausted?”

“Are you treating people well?”

“Are you secretly struggling?”

Those conversations matter.

A title doesn’t provide accountability.

Relationships do.

I would rather have three people who genuinely know me and can confront me than fifty famous names supposedly serving as my “covering” but who know nothing about my life.

WE NEED SUBMISSION

Submission isn’t a dirty word.

Pride doesn’t become spiritual merely because someone had a bad experience with leadership.

Sometimes we need to submit.

Sometimes our pastor sees something we don’t.

Sometimes an elder’s correction hurts because it’s true.

Sometimes we need to stop defending ourselves and listen.

Sometimes we need to trust leadership decisions.

There are times maturity means saying:

“I was wrong.”

But biblical submission never requires replacing Jesus with another human being.

WE NEED DISCERNMENT

John tells believers in 1 John 4:1 not to believe every spirit but to test the spirits.

Paul tells believers to test everything.

Prophetic speech is evaluated.

Teaching is measured by Scripture.

Discernment isn’t rebellion.

It’s part of Christian maturity.

But discernment isn’t cynicism either.

Some Christians become suspicious of everyone.

Every pastor is controlling.

Every large church is compromised.

Every prophet is false.

Every ministry is corrupt.

That’s not discernment.

That’s suspicion.

Biblical discernment is humble enough to test and humble enough to receive what is good.

WE NEED EACH OTHER

The New Testament doesn’t envision Christianity as:

“Me, Jesus, and my Bible.”

It envisions a body.

1 Corinthians 12 describes many members working together.

You need people.

And people need you.

You have weaknesses; somebody else’s gift can strengthen them.

You have gifts somebody else needs.

You have blind spots.

So do I.

That’s why isolation is dangerous.

The answer to unhealthy church culture isn’t abandoning the body.

It’s pursuing healthy biblical community.

THE GOAL ISN’T DEPENDENCE ON LEADERS

Return to Ephesians 4:11–16.

Christ gives leaders to equip saints.

The saints do ministry.

The body grows.

Believers mature.

They become stable.

They speak truth in love.

And then Paul describes the entire body growing from Christ.

That’s the goal.

Healthy leadership doesn’t say:

“How can I make these people need me more?”

It asks:

“How can I help these people know Jesus better?”

That’s a radically different ministry philosophy.

WHAT DOES A HEALTHY CHURCH LOOK LIKE?

Imagine a church where pastors genuinely shepherd but don’t control.

Where leaders are honored but aren’t idolized.

Where prophetic ministry operates but is tested.

Where teachers teach Scripture while encouraging people to study on their own.

Where apostles serve Christ’s mission rather than building personal empires.

Where evangelists equip ordinary believers to share Jesus.

Where mature believers disciple younger believers.

Where older women teach younger women.

Where older men invest in younger men.

Where questions are welcomed.

Where correction is received.

Where sin isn’t hidden to protect reputations.

Where accusations aren’t automatically believed either.

Where truth matters.

Where grace matters.

Where accountability matters.

Where restoration matters.

Where everybody understands:

Jesus is Lord.

That sounds like a family worth belonging to.

THE FAMILY TABLE IS ROUND

Maybe we’ve pictured the Church incorrectly.

We sometimes picture a pyramid.

Someone at the top.

Everybody else underneath.

But the New Testament repeatedly gives us another picture.

A body.

A family.

A flock.

A temple.

A bride.

In every picture, Jesus occupies the central position.

He is the Head of the body.

He is the Chief Shepherd of the flock.

He is the cornerstone of the temple.

He is the Bridegroom of the bride.

And through Him, God is our Father.

We may need fewer pyramids and more family tables.

At the family table, there are elders.

There are younger people.

There are mothers.

There are fathers.

There are brothers.

There are sisters.

Different ages.

Different maturity levels.

Different responsibilities.

But nobody is pretending to be the Father.

THE SAFEST PLACE IS UNDER CHRIST

This series is called:

UNDER CHRIST.

That’s intentional.

Because ultimately, that’s where every one of us belongs.

Pastor:

Under Christ.

Apostle:

Under Christ.

Prophet:

Under Christ.

Evangelist:

Under Christ.

Teacher:

Under Christ.

Spiritual father:

Under Christ.

Spiritual mother:

Under Christ.

Church member:

Under Christ.

Every one of us.

We don’t need leaders who stand between people and Jesus.

We need leaders who stand beside people and continually point toward Jesus.

We don’t need spiritual parents collecting sons and daughters.

We need mature believers raising disciples.

We don’t need “coverings” that make people afraid to leave.

We need communities so healthy people are grateful to belong.

We don’t need pastors afraid of questions.

We need pastors confident enough in Scripture to say:

“Open your Bible and check what I’m telling you.”

We don’t need followers who refuse correction.

We need humble believers who remain teachable.

We don’t need untouchable leaders.

We need accountable leaders.

We don’t need Christians who are independent.

We need Christians who are mature.

ONE FATHER. ONE HEAD. ONE FAMILY.

That could summarize the entire series.

One Father.

God.

One Head.

Jesus Christ.

One family.

The Church.

Inside that family, there are countless relationships.

Pastors.

Elders.

Teachers.

Mentors.

Fathers in the faith.

Mothers in the faith.

Brothers.

Sisters.

Friends.

Disciple-makers.

Counselors.

Leaders.

Servants.

People who correct us.

People who encourage us.

People who walk beside us through our darkest seasons.

Thank God for every one of them.

Honor them.

Love them.

Learn from them.

Listen when they correct you.

Seek their wisdom.

Walk in accountability.

Submit where Scripture calls you to submit.

Serve faithfully within Christ’s body.

But never give another human being the place that belongs uniquely to Jesus.

Because the best spiritual father will eventually point beyond himself and say:

“Follow Jesus.”

The best spiritual mother will say:

“Follow Jesus.”

The best pastor will say:

“Follow Jesus.”

The best apostle will say:

“Follow Jesus.”

The best prophet will say:

“Follow Jesus.”

The best teacher will open Scripture and say:

“Look at Jesus.”

And the healthiest Church will continually remind every person who enters its doors:

You belong to Jesus.

He purchased you.

He saved you.

He restored you.

He filled you with His Spirit.

He placed you within His body.

He gave you leaders to equip you.

He gave you brothers and sisters to walk beside you.

He gave you gifts so you could serve others.

And He is growing you toward maturity.

So honor leaders.

Receive discipleship.

Walk in accountability.

Stay teachable.

Serve the body.

Love the family.

Test everything by Scripture.

And above every other voice, title, relationship, ministry, movement, network, and personality,

keep Jesus where He belongs.

At the center.

At the top.

At the Head.

Because when Christ is truly the Head, nobody else needs His seat.

UNDER CHRIST

One Father.

One Head.

One family.

And all of us under Christ.