Why is it that God has given the church various roles of leadership? Is it because he knows we would have this compulsion to neatly organize ourselves? Or that it would help us find parallels across industries later down the road? Or could it be that God has a grand purpose behind all of it?
Paul seems to answer the question in his letter to the Ephesians. He writes that God has given the church various leadership roles in order “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith” (Eph 4:12-13). Church leaders are not lead for their own benefit and status; rather, for the building up of God’s church.
Of course, this runs counter-cultural to the leadership practices of Paul’s time and much of our own. Instead, church leaders are called to embody and practice servant leadership that is modeled after Jesus Christ himself. For Jesus “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
It is based off the example of Jesus Christ that all the various roles of leadership are to exist. In doing so, Paul proclaims that we will attain the “whole measure of the fullness of Christ”; that we “will no longer be infants”; but that we will instead “grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Eph 4:13-15).
Dinner Table Conversations:
Adult & Teen Table Talk:
- The goal of leadership, according to this passage, is that the whole body would be built up, reach unity, and grow to maturity (v. 12-13). What does it look like practically for a leader to measure success this way rather than by personal influence or recognition?
- Verse 16 describes the church as a body where “each part does its work.” What is one way you sense God has gifted or positioned you to help build up this church body—whether or not you’d call it a “leadership” role?
Little Learners’ Table Talk:
- God gives everybody special gifts to help the church! Can you think of something you’re good at that could help others?
Sermon Title: Servant Leadership
Sermon Series: Church Leadership (2026)
Sermon Passage: Ephesians 4:7-16
Closing Scripture: Mark 10:42-45
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