Equipping
We affirm the present operation of all the Ascension Gifts listed in Eph. 4, and use the collective term “equippers” to describe their function within a kingdom community. Our community is strengthened and equipped through the function of an equipping team who journey through the Relational Groups depositing present truth and direction for the community. This team is also responsible for our monthly community-wide gatherings, quarterly regional gatherings, and regional community development. The team functions as a singular unit speaking with one voice through a diversity of giftings. As well, we utilize digital media to disperse teaching throughout the community.
Concerning the Ascension Gifts, we believe…
- The Ascension gifts are these: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists and Shepherd/Teachers.
- These are gifts of the grace of Christ which are yielded to freely by the people of God, not titles used to establish heirarchical dominance.
- These gifts do not constitute a class of “ministers” apart from and ruling over the body. Rather, they express aspects of the ascension grace of Christ and possess unique spiritual configurations to facilitate the growth of His body.
- The primary function of these gifts is to fulfill the Eph. 4 mandate: to equip the saints for works of service, to build up the body to the attainment of unity, knowledge of the Son of God and the full measure of the stature of Christ.
Oversight
It is our firm conviction that a kingdom community should recognize a distinction between the work of equipping of the saints and the life of the church. The former being a work of grace that flows from the foundational work of apostolic authority and prophetic insight, heralded evangelistically and realized through the expression of shepherding and teaching: collectively known as the “equippers.” The later is overseen by a plurality of elders who are accompanied by deacons to collectively shepherd and serve the community in teaching, protecting, guiding and administrating.
In matters of doctrine, building and advancement the equipping workers take the leading role to ensure that our community walks in the present purpose of God, builds according to divine blueprint and continually pursues the advance of the Kingdom. In matters of community government, shepherding and care the elders and deacons function to ensure the care and discipleship of the saints.
We profoundly reject the false distinction between clergy and laity. All God’s people are called as priests and ministers of the kingdom. However, we appropriately recognize the gifts of grace according to Eph. 4 which function to equip the saints unto maturity. Leadership is according to grace, not position – proper function, not title. The apostolic and prophetic workers, along with the shepherding and teaching elders have simply been recognized according to their respective graces and have accepted the responsibility to oversee and lead by example in their natural living, their service to the saints and their unswerving defense and proclamation of the truth.
Due to our present size and infancy, our community is lead by a single equipping elder who is accountable both locally and nationally. As our community grows the equipping team will emerge, elders and deacons will be appointed and we will move towards a full expression of kingdom oversight.
For More Info…
Douglas Weaver
316-722-0774
dweaver@christlifecommunity.com
Advisory Team
Kerri Weaver
Ian Chellan
Rodney Ducroq
Rodger Thompson