God is no mean investor.  In order for His church to grow and multiply, to achieve everything He has planned, He invests heavily in people.  Every business manager knows that without the right people in the critical places, failure is inevitable.  That is like Jesus Christ.  He takes some of the people He has saved and gives them the core competences upon which the rest of the church will be constructed.

This passage identifies five key roles without which churches cannot be planted or survive, starting with apostles.  'Apostle' simply means 'sent one'.  In the New Testament it is used in three contexts.  Firstly the twelve disciples who were present throughout Jesus' ministry and appointed by Him to go into all the world (Mark 3:14).  They were joined by Matthias who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:26), and Saul who became Paul.  Together, these were the 'founding apostles' who were close to Jesus and witnesses of His resurrection (Acts 2:21-22); they were appointed by Him to define doctrine (Acts 2:42) and start the great international missionary movement.  Their special place is confirmed in Revelation 21:14.  Secondly, there were trusted leaders like Barnabas (Acts 13:2), Andronicus and Junia (Romans 16:7), Titus (2 Corinthians 8:23) and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25).  Thirdly, the word applies to all missionaries and church planters (Acts 1:8).  In that context the use of 'apostle' today may be valid as a description of those who are servant-ministers; but when such people assume an authority reserved for the 'founding apostles', they may be false prophets (2 Corinthians 11:13).

The founding apostles gave us defined doctrine; missionary apostles gave themselves, and often their lives, in spreading the gospel.  Prophets speak out God's strategic instructions to the other Christians; today they are the preachers of the Word.  Evangelists explain the gospel and persuade unbelievers to repent and receive Christ.  Pastors guide, direct and guard groups of Christians so that they will be a credit to the Lord and worship Him in every part of their lifestyle.  Teachers explain how God wants people to relate with Him and each other.  All these functions are essential in the team leadership that Jesus Christ designed for the church.  Their objective is to enable the church to grow organically in a coordinated way, so that immaturity gives way to an integrated core of mature people - who collectively speak and act like Jesus would.  These are not necessarily 'managers', but God has entrusted them with setting His truth and values into the churches so that the whole Body of Christ can grow to become like Jesus.

And, of course, it makes a lot of sense. We are where we are because the Lord has used some or all of those people in our own lives at some time or another.  But immature Christians think that they can manage by themselves - not much need for church, no daily Bible reading, occasional prayer and decision-making by 'best guess'.  It is as foolish as thinking that you can grow a business without experienced advisors (accountants, lawyers, bankers), or that you can work to best practice in Health and Safety, or Human Relations without learning from people who know what they are talking about.  Wherever you find people who have these spiritual gifts, honour them and let them minister to you, and encourage others at work to benefit also.