Abstract

This article endeavours to extract the most important principles of congregational ministry (focusing on equipping the members) from Ephesians by means of an exegetical analysis of the Letter. The article also attempts to demonstrate the importance that principles, on which congregational ministry is grounded, should be developed by means of sound Scriptural exegesis. The article first investigates the structure of Ephesians, and then makes deductions that would be appropriate as principles of ministry. Based on these deductions, the article suggests a few guidelines for the pastoral ministry of congregations and critically compares these with the opinions of other researchers. Finally, the article concludes that it is necessary to ground principles of ministry on Scripture by means of a thorough exegesis.

Highlights

  • Abundant research has already been done on the Letter to the Ephesians

  • This article accepts the challenge of these words to ground pastoral theology on an in‐depth exegesis of Scripture

  • Kruger (2005) describes equipment according to Ephesians 4 as a process in the making, as the believer is guided to become what s/he is in Christ and to attain proficiency in living up to this calling

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

Abundant research has already been done on the Letter to the Ephesians (cf. Hoehner 2004:xxi‐xxix; Fowl 2012:xi‐xvii). There is a paucity of research on the meaning of Ephesians for practical ministry in local congregations, focusing on equipping the members. According to Purves (2004:xvii), My broad concern is the seeming lack of connection between exegesis of the Scriptures and the central Christian doctrines, on the one hand, and the theology and practice of ministry today, on the other. In my view, has largely abandoned the responsibility to speak concerning God. This article accepts the challenge of these words to ground pastoral theology on an in‐depth exegesis of Scripture. The purpose of this article is to suggest guidelines, based on an in‐depth exegesis of the Letter to Ephesus, for the practical pastoral ministry of the congregation

STRUCTURE OF EPHESIANS
Ephesians 1:1‐3:21
Ephesians 4:1‐6:24
Deductions
GUIDELINES FOR PASTORAL MINISTRY IN THE CONGREGATION9
Pastoral ministry is participation in the ministry of the Triune God
Pastoral ministry is aimed at nurture and equipment
Equipment
CONCLUSION
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