Church Leadership – Part Two

Part two concerns the Evangelist. This servant seems to be what we see in Philip, Timothy, and Titus. Even though we don’t have any reference of Titus being an Evangelist his ministry was so similar to Timothy’s that we can be assume (dah, I know.) him to be an Evangelist in Crete. (Acts 21:8; 2 Timothy 4:5).

Paul reveals the position of Evangelist in Ephesians 4:11 as designated of Christ. Before I go on I need to share an opinion formed by Scripture, but not specifically stated. Any congregation can have a member be a designated preacher for various meetings. They could have an Elder, and even paid to serve full time (1Timothy 5:17-18). They can hire a qualified man to preach to the congregation. Yet, what I’m writing of now is the Evangelist.

By definition the Evangelist is a “Gospel Preacher.” The root of the Greek word euangelistou means to preach. In Acts 8:4 we find persecuted Christian Disciples leaving Jerusalem. As they go they are “preaching.” Yet, the Evangelist Timothy or Philip was either working to make disciples and start a new congregation of Christians, or they were working with a congregation to “set things in order” and appoint Elders (Titus 1:5).

When reading the letters to Timothy and Titus we can gather that the Evangelist was a “Jack of all trades.” He was bringing order to the church, training the members in holiness, recruiting and training men for Eldership and the Deaconate, refuting false teaching, and reading and preaching the Word of God. He did some pastoral work, deacon work, teaching, preaching, and so I say he had a broad responsibility.

Unlike the person from the congregation or a man hired from without, the Evangelist works with the charge to accomplish those things stated in the letters of Timothy and Titus. He is not the Pastor. Pastoring (Shepherding) is the work the Elder does. He’s not just the Preacher. Any qualified man can perform that task.

Now many fine men have taken positions at churches as their “Minister,” or “Preacher.” That is fine. Especially, when the congregation is being lead well by the Eldership and the congregation is structured well. To bring in a man or recruit one from the congregation and expect him to function as an Evangelist or Elder is ignorant and unfair to the “Preacher.” I’m not meaning disrespect by saying ignorant, but I’m saying more study of the Scripture is necessary.

To many times a poor preacher has to take the fall for a poor leadership team. Or, he has to do the work of these other men and he feels the burn out, because the “Preacher” is truly serving outside his Biblical job description. The poorly led congregation can perceive the “Minister” as the congregational leader who is under their and their Elders’ authority. Can you understand the dilemma? It is a no win situation.

Yet, if you hire an Evangelist you have a man who is an equal with the Elders, a team player who is to be respected as the Evangelist.

Hillbilly Theologian