Formed for Maturity: Recovering the Fivefold Gifts

When Paul writes that Christ “gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers,” he is naming something Jesus intends for the church’s formation. We’ve often considered these leadership roles, and, unfortunately, some have attached their identity to them. Paul wanted the church in Ephesus to see them as graces entrusted to the body for its growth.

Alan Hirsch often reminds us that Ephesians 4 describes how Jesus continues His work in the world through His people. The fivefold functions reflect dimensions of Christ’s own life: His sentness, His faithfulness to the Father, His invitation into the Kingdom, His care for people, and His grounding in truth.

When these functions are active together, the church is formed toward maturity.

These Gifts Are Already Among Us

One of the most hopeful aspects of the fivefold is that nothing new needs to be manufactured. Christ has already given these gifts to His church.

However, we do need to learn how to recognize what is present or absent, honor it or build it up, and make space for these gifts to shape the life of the community.

Hirsch frequently notes that when any one function dominates, the church begins to deform rather than mature. The fivefold holds balance so the body can grow without breaking apart.

Why This Matters for Movement

Movements depend on more than energy or vision. They require a depth of formation that can sustain multiplication over time.

When the fivefold functions are active together, the church develops the capacity to send without losing people, to grow without becoming shallow, and to adapt without drifting. Sentness and rootedness, imagination and wisdom, care and challenge begin to reinforce rather than compete with one another.

This is why Hirsch often says there is no silver bullet for renewal—yet APEST comes remarkably close. But let’s be careful not to consider APEST a technique or strategy!

This is the frame behind the conversation with Lindsey Harwood in the episode below. We talk about APEST not as a leadership tool, but as a gift Jesus gives to His church for maturity, health, and movement. Lindsey brings years of lived experience helping communities recognize and activate what is already present among them.