“… But speaking the truth in love… Not forsaking the… conversation, … as the manner of some is, we are drawn heavenward into Him Who is the Head, even Christ Jesus…”
As I thought more about this over the past few days at an “Apostolic” conference, it occurred to me, (I shared this in my presentation to the conference) that the church is a conversation.
So we could say of the “five fold,” ministry that “God gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastor/ teachers to…” lecture the saints until the saints begin to have a conversation with one another.
For this to happen, however, the “five fold” has to learn to, and be willing to stop dominating the assembled time of the saints with their incessant lecturing. There’s nothing passionate going on in those who are constantly being lectured.
Love!
Loving Like God 
I look or feel nothing like that picture in worship. Total misrepresentation.
Sheila-
You speak of worship. The author speaks of lectures. If I come to worship but instead am constantly ‘lectured’, or preached to, I would certainly look like that. True worship involves the conversation of all saints; the priesthood of all believers; not just the constant lecturing of the ‘five-fold ministries’.
I missed the dialog and conference. I did hear as usual how rich it was. Good to hear you are doing well Jay. Good post my friend.. Helping them to think and listening to them is much different then then thinking for them. . .
You will always be the finest Minister I know .
Love
Well said dear brother.
Craig
Jay, incredible thought and artfully presented, my brother. May we learn to get past our spiritual bravado, humble ourselves and properly relate to the Body so that it might build itself up in love! Peace!