The Plumbline

  Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.   Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.   He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (Ephesians 4:14-16) The five-fold ministry of the church (apostle, prophet, teacher, evangelist, and pastor) might not be recognized for their extreme value at times. We know they exist - that they have a role to play. Yet, we don't actually realize it is for OUR benefit they fulfill their roles! The whole purpose of their ministry is OUR growth. They are placed there to protect us from every unsound teaching that comes along - from being duped ...