The Framework: Bringing It All Together

This is the concluding post in a series exploring the five leadership types from Ephesians 4: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers.

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The last five posts have been an exploration of different types of leaders using the lens of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. To be clear, it’s not that any of these types are superior, or that others are less necessary. Quite the opposite. Each type complements the others, and they bring different skills to bear at different stages of organizational growth.

Organizations that lack certain types can survive, but they develop predictable dysfunctions.

Consider the mono-culture case:

Only having Apostles starts the organization, again and again and again. Only having Prophets guides the organization, if there is one to lead. Only having Evangelists grows the organization, but can’t grow deep. Only having Shepherds protects the organization, but can’t grow it. Only having Teachers trains the organization, but for no purpose.

The other way to think about it is the missing culture case:

Not having Apostles leaves an organization stagnant. Not having Prophets leaves an organization aimless. Not having Evangelists leaves an organization limited. Not having Shepherds leaves an organization unguarded. Not having Teachers leaves an organization immature.