I’m not going to assign these as official biblical offices in the church today, I’m happy with the Pastor/Elder, Teacher, Deacon terms.
But there is a good sense that the Bible teaches all are to model servanthood and some called to feed the sheep or tend the lambs…others to see and speak to truth and false teachings, and some to spread the gospel.
I’d say they fall into the later categories of this list which is the historic Protestant view…. Nobody is an Apostle today, and those getting special visions or words from God are to be questioned, if they call themselves Prophets. But I think Ephesians 4:11 does speak to these three active roles…speak prophetically what God’s word teaches, bringing the good news, and being pastor/teachers.
1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Prophets, Evangelists, and Shepherds
The Three Voices of Christian Cultural Engagement
Michael ClaryOctober 8, 2025
Rainbow Trout 