The mentality of the first-century Church was quite different than our modern-day paradigm. As we see in the Book of Acts, they were more concerned with discipling, equipping, and raising up mature sons of God than simply packing houses with bodies. Also, their focus was not simply evangelistic, but it was indeed apostolic in that they were fully invested in developing the saints, then sending and releasing them.

What I have realized is that because we are more pastoral in our thinking, we tend to solely be focused with increasing the foot-traffic and tithe-payers in our assemblies. But, it is my heart that we go back to our true nature. It is time for us to raise up sons!

With that being said, I think we should also reconsider our approach to discipling and equipping the saints — especially those who are not just graced to be a saint, but are graced as fivefold gifts, as well. What I have discovered is that our methodology in training suceeding generations and younger (the term “younger” here doesn’t just mean in age but also experience or tenure) gifts is quite…slavish.

For example, whenever the topic of developing is aroused you will also here the topic of serving mentioned. Now, I fully agree that the two are interrelated because fivefold gifts are given to serve the Body. They model what servitude looks like so that the saints can serve each other AND serve the world.

Usually, however, our explanations and examples of service are hierarchal where the people are to and should be serving the leader and his vision. As a result, this then becomes the framework we use to build our idea and philosophy of training and developing for up-and-coming gifts. It sets up a precedent in that the pattern usually is because this is what serving looks like, then the protégée-gift is to serve the leader or mentor by carrying their briefcase, their Bible, making hotel arrangements, and getting them water. THIS, unfortunately, becomes the EXTENT of our discipleship-program. And, what’s even more unfortunate is that people tend to perform these tasks for years without ever being equipped to do EXACTLY what their grace is supposed to do.

I have come to reason that I believe we do this because our main concern for our protégés is their development of a deep sense of and conviction for humility. Humility becomes idolized. Furthermore, the mentor usually comes to believe that their mandate from God in the life of their protégée is to crush them and drill in character — obedience, submission, and humility. But, my trouble with this is that this is astronomically far from Christ’s example.

It seems as if Christ’s concerns with His mentees were far different from what our concerns are. Jesus trained His disciples to do what He did as an apostle and then presented them with opportunities to execute the grace given to them. Those opportunities may have been on a smaller scale, but it shows that He trusted them nonetheless.

Also, the way that Christ dealt with humility was by teaching them the importance of serving each other (see Matt. 23:11). Furthermore, His concerns were threefold: 1) that they see God the Father the RIGHT way, 2) they understand His heart toward them and their identity as sons, and 3) they LOVE each other.

Reader, pride and arrogance are simply the result of an ORPHAN heart and thinking. Gifts who act like jerks and jackasses do so because they are not thinking like the sons of God that they truly are. So, if we FIRST effectively teach and empower our people to understand who they are as beloved sons of God and what that means, then we will have more sober-minded, humble, and compassionate gifts functioning in the Body.

Carrying a briefcase, washing clothes, and cleaning toilets does NOT teach humility NOR does it adequately prepare them for service to the Body. One of the main reasons why we have so much false and twisted doctrine and misconstruing of scriptures is because we had gifts who were not taught theology and hermeneutics, but were taught how to sweep floors. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of fivefold leaders to MODEL Christlike behavior and character. So, your mentors and protégées will better learn character by seeing it demonstrated in your life.

What we must understand is that if you truly father people, love them, build relationship with them, care about them, liberate them, and serve them, you wouldn’t have to ask them to do those things. They would more than likely do such things on their own because of the way they have been lovingly served from leaders with the heart of a father.

Hmm… that presents an another interesting point. Could it be that we do not see a lot of raising up of sons, because we have leaders who serve WITHOUT a fathering heart? Yes, fathers guide, instruct, and correct, but they also affirm. And, affirmation has a way of unlocking potential that condemnation and brow-beating cannot.

There needs to be efficient curriculums and academia created for the purpose of developing each specific gift. These gifts should be challenged and measured. They should be taught theology and historical-contextual hermeneutics. They should be constantly affirmed in who they are as sons of God. And, they should be exposed to different opportunities and pushed like never before.

Giving responsibility to gifts with an orphan mentality and heart will be fatal. This is because their ultimate drive will be the need to perform and not the choice to serve.

Gifts should be immersed in the language, duties, responsibilities, and functions that their respective gift demands to effectively serve the Body.

In closing, I will present you with the example of Elijah and the sons of the prophets. According to the Encyclopedia of the Bible, this term refers to members of a prophetic guild. We see even in the Old Testament that there were Prophets who understood the importance and benefit of community. People tend to manifest greater proportions of their potential in a community environment. One that is affirming, yet challenging.

So, I make this appeal: Love them. Develop them. And, release them.

Like apostles, prophets are deemed to be foundational gifts as a result of Paul’s statements in his epistle to the Church of Ephesus. According to him, the whole entire Body is BUILT upon the foundation of revelation given to them. Such a statement brings up some interesting things about prophets that have often been overlooked and or misunderstood… until now!

Because Christ’s Bride and Body is experiencing a reawakening in her understanding and consideration of the new covenant, it has presented and even challenged us with the task of rethinking and reshaping our understanding, perspectives, and ideas on the fivefold gifts. This is because the new or better covenant provides the context, lens, and foundation through which we can better understand HOW these gifts are to function and their benefit in our lives. In examining this fact, we will come to conclude that not only is there more to expect from this ministry-gift than just prophesying, but there’s more that Christ, Himself, intended for this precious gift to be doing.

So, let’s consider the implications of what Paul said in Ephesians 2:20.

Foundation Layers

First, apostles lay foundation — meaning, they give doctrine. The early believers held fast the apostles’s doctrine (see Acts 2:42). Prophets, therefore, give credence to the message carried by the apostles. Even more so, they also give credence to the legitimacy of apostles. Therefore, it behoves modern-day prophets to be astute in their understanding of apostles and what the fruit of an authentic sent one looks like.

Unfortunately, too many prophets have endorsed individuals that have been wrongly identified as apostles or individuals who are simply false apostles — lacking humility, creating idols of themselves, and leading people away from the truth and revelation of Christ.

The giving of doctrine by the apostles is what we call apostolic doctrine. Therefore, it should be noted that ALL prophets SHOULD be apostolic. Furthermore, all evangelists, pastors, and teachers should be, as well. Not only is the DNA of the Church apostolic BUT our doctrine is to be that, as well.

The giving of doctrine was never the responsibility of evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Church history, unfortunately, goes to show that much of our issues with doctrine has come about because of the influence of Bishops — which is why we yet have sects of the Body that are cessationist and do not believe in the fivefold. However, the doctrine as laid about by the apostles becomes the paradigm through which the prophecies of the prophet flow through.

By prophets being in relationship with healthy apostles, they are able to identify that which is sound and that which is false.

Nevertheless, in the context of church planting, apostles lay the foundation as to what will be the culture of that particular house. The prophets come alongside to ensure that what Heaven wants (as expressed through the apostles) is manifested. They work to function as a bridge in between what God wants and what currently is. For them, this is what it REALLY means to intercede. Intercession is not just another type of prayer, but a way of life.

Foundational Inspectors

A second implication of his statement is this: as foundational gifts, they have to deal with foundational issues. Oftentimes, this is the “ugly” aspect of our work and service. Nevertheless, like Jesus, we are called to “wash” the feet of His people — no matter how dirty their feet may get. Therefore, we MUST be willing to get messy.

Sometimes, prophets have to address cancerous and toxic issues within the Body or a local body, that are keeping them from maturing. Prophets are concerned with the overall health and fitness of God’s people. They see where God wants to take the people, but they also see the mountain of issues that may be hindering that progression. As a result, they are graced with the ability to confront and bring resolution to such matters.

Not all foundational issues are problematic, however. Prophets also work to address issues such as identity, spiritual gifts, and destinies. Those are also foundational issues. It is because of identity issues that most believers walk in confusion and condemnation.

Prophets, therefore, help believers to understand who they are in relation to their new nature in Christ AND who they are in relation to their uniqueness. Also, they perceive the Father’s heart concerning individuals and minister to the potential within them. Then, through the context of relationship, they work alongside the individual so that their purpose can be actualized.

An example of this is Samuel, the prophet. He perceived on both occasions that Saul was NOT just a tall and handsome young man. He perceived that in God’s eyes and mind that Saul was a king. Yet, there were some things that Saul had to experience and understand for that to manifest. The same is with David.

Foundational Builders

This presents another aspect of prophets that is often overlooked. Prophets are not just mailmen. They, like the other gifts, should be walking alongside the believers. Judas and Silas did this. They went down to Antioch and said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. Where the apostles PUSH the other gifts, prophets speak to the potential of the believers and PUSH them to be what God has called them to be. Ultimately, this is so that Christ may be uniquely expressed through each believer.

Under the new covenant, prophets are builders! This is the mentality that Christ expects for ALL of His gifts to have when dealing with His Body. Paul addresses this in Ephesians 4:11–12. Therefore, prophets now affirm us in WHO we are in Christ as a result of what HE has done. Their words speak to our true identity as sons of God and not our old Adamic nature that died with Christ. When you leave the presence of a prophet, you should be strengthened.

Final Thoughts…

As you can see, it is quite impossible to discuss the prophetic and prophets without mentioning two things: 1) apostles/the apostolic, and 2) the new covenant.

As stated before, the new covenant provides the lens through which we can better understand how post-Cross, A.D. prophets are to function. Likewise, apostles provide the needed paradigm that helps prophets function in a healthy manner.

We need prophets that are foundational in their thinking and serving. We need prophets who are not concerned with being the flashy walls and the beautiful chandeliers of a house. But, who will be the floor upon which others can stand on.