“What will the church look like in the new era?” This is a question I am regularly asked.
Will it look radically different than it has over the past 17oo years? Is our model of church being altered? I don’t believe this is about a model change or in how we gather together. No, this is about a change in perspective or focus based on a Scripture that I see as a signpost for the new era.
Signposts help us understand where we are headed and how to get there. As there are many seasons within an era, there must be a season that will set us traveling into this new era we have entered. A signpost to lead the way and give us a focus. Is there a change in perspective in how we understand Ephesians 4:11-13?
In summary, verse 11 expresses the Father’s heart of the five gifts in how they have been bestowed to the body of Christ. Verse 12 presents the outcome by letting us know that these five gifts are to equip or prepare God’s people for their works of service, their callings, purposes or ministries. The focus of this episode of the New Era Explorers podcast is on these two verses.
As I have talked with leaders of churches and ministries in various parts of the world, they want to apply these gifts by truly equipping the believer to fulfill all God has intended for them. It’s not about the leader and their vision, but about the individual reaching out beyond the walls of the church and into the lives of those they influence.
The leaders I have had conversations with are hungry to release those they lead into the fullness of the gifts in order to reach beyond the enclosed walls of the building we have called church and see the advent of 1 billion people meet, encounter and respond to Jesus Christ.
Follow Byron Easterling on Facebook and Instagram. And listen to this episode, A New Era Sign Post, on the New Era Explorers podcast. {eoa}
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