What is the primary function of the church when we gather? Not the Great Commission — that's the mission. Not feeding the poor — that's the outflow. The primary function is something that makes all those other things possible.

In this message from our series "Fullness," Pastor Ron opens Ephesians 4:11–12 and answers that question plainly: the church exists to be taught, so the saints can serve, so the body is built up.

The Principal Gifts — Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastor-Teachers: Jesus himself gives these four leadership gifts to the church. Apostles and prophets laid the doctrinal foundation; evangelists carry the gospel with power and fruit; and the pastor-teacher — elder, overseer, shepherd — feeds, leads, and protects the flock through the Word of God and prayer. His job is to study himself to death and pray himself alive.

The Primary Function — Equipping, Serving, Edifying: These three flow together in one sentence in the original Greek. When teachers equip the saints with God's Word and prayer, the saints do the work of ministry — and when the saints serve one another, the body is built up. It's not the pastor's job to wear every hat; it's his job to equip every person to wear theirs. Christianity is not a spectator sport.