As Each Part Does its Work

The church in Ephesus did not need Timothy. They had spiritually mature elders (Acts 20). They were living life together. They were following the teachings of Jesus. Timothy’s purpose was to help the church become healthy so that it was no longer necessary for him to be there. In the same way, pastors equip disciples of Jesus to make disciples of Jesus. Pastors do ministry, but in the same way that every disciple of Jesus is a servant (diakonos). We are all ministers (diakonoi) of Jesus in that sense. But pastors possess unique qualifications to perform a unique function. Paul defines that function as equipping the church for ministry.