Thumb: When looking at the hand the first thing you notice is the thumb. The thumb is obviously different to all the other fingers of the hand. The thumb is solid. It is shorter, fatter, blunter and set in the hand very differently to the other fingers. The thumb gives the hand its grip. In fact all the other fingers, although different to one another, have vast similarities and, compared to the thumb, are all basically the same, so it is easily understandable that they would all feel antagonistic towards the thumb, who always seems to be opposing them all yet cant seem to do what THEY all can! (Who does the thumb think he is?).Prophet:(Guide)
Index Finger: Closest to the Apostle, the forefinger is always pointing and saying, “This is the way, walk you in it!” He shows the way but is often blunt and to the point. He is the closest to the thumb so can work best and well with the Apostle. He is also closest to the middle finger and so the Prophet can work strongly with the evangelist as well.
Evangelist: (Gather)
Middle Finger: The middle finger is the longest and besides the thumb the strongest finger and is supported on all sides by the other fingers. He has the longest reach of all the fingers and can reach out the furthest to hook in and draw in others into the palm of the hand, where the whole hand clasps them and ministers to them caring, tend to and looking after them. Both the forefinger and middle finger work best with the thumb and can easily, firmly and strongly covered by the thumb (Apostle). These three then form the basis of a strong grip.
Pastor: (Guard)
Ring Finger: The ring finger is the one that wears the marriage ring. It represents the Pastor, the one who is married to the Church. This symbolizes the marriage between Christ and the Church. The Pastor is Caring, Loving and Gentle, showing a strong commitment to the Body. The Ring Finger is supported on either side by the longest and shortest fingers. The pastor cares for and leads the flock. He is the “Shepherd” of the flock the one who tends to all their needs and has the loving arms and large heart to encompass them all. He laughs and cries with them, provides spiritual food for the table and watch over them as a shepherd does with the sheep. Note they are not HIS sheep but the Lords!
Teacher: (Ground)
Little Finger: The little finger (pinkie) is the smallest finger, the shortest and thinnest, and the only one small enough to clean out the ears of the People. It is a most important job, the teacher, concerned with Minutia, Detail, Precision and so on. The Little Finger is almost separate from the rest of the hand, but is perfectly placed on the outer edge of the hand to catch those who are falling out of the palm of the hand, who are falling of the edge of the hand.
The Little finger is very important and is often needed to bring people back into the Hand, back in line. It is the last resort when all others have failed, appropriate teaching can save them going completely lost. But the Little Finger can’t function or work on its own! I is interesting to note that the last two fingers, ring and little finger, are almost inseparable, when the one moves the other must move in near unison.
Another interesting thing is that if the Little Finger lets go the grip is severely weakened. So the hands grip is simply and easily broken by removing the littlest finger from the grip by straitening it out, (try it!). The same happens if you straighten out the ring finger as well. So the littlest finger gives strength to the grip enabling the hand to firmly grasp what is in the palm and not loose it.
In summary, the Fivefold Ministry is a framework to grow, build and mature the Body of Christ to continue the workings of Jesus through the lives of the saints.
As Ephesians 4:11-16 teaches, the Fivefold Ministry should produce the following outcomes:
- Equip the believers for works of the ministry
- Build up the Body of Believers in spiritual growth and maturity
- Building believers in the unity of faith
- Increase in knowledge about God, Jesus and the Kingdom
- Empowering believers in the faith with sound doctrine
- Mature the saints to be able to stand in the face of the challenges and deceits of the world
