Is the evangelist a leader in the local congregation? Please supply Bible support with answer. Thanks for your great work and edification powers. ~ Robert Johnson, Evangelist
The Bible often employs synonyms to provide different perspectives of the same object it defines. For instance, the spiritual institution that Jesus came to establish, over which he presides and for which we will return one day, is known in Scripture by several different designations: church (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 1:2), kingdom (Matthew 16:19; Colossians 1:13), body (Ephesians 1:22-23), house (1 Timothy 3:15), temple (1 Corinthians 3:16), etc. Likewise, the God-approved rulers of independent congregations are designated in Scripture (in our English Bibles) as: elders (Titus 1:5-9), bishops (1 Timothy 3:1-7), pastors (Ephesians 4:11), shepherds (1 Peter 5:1-4), overseers (Acts 20:17, 28) and the presbytery (1 Timothy 4:14). There are also three different designations in Scripture for the man we may refer to as an evangelist: evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5), preacher (Romans 10:14) and minister (Acts 26:16; Romans 15:16; Colossians 1:23). Combined, these three English appellations plus, more importantly, the Greek words behind them, provide a fuller picture of this particular function in the church Jesus built.
The word “evangelist” is transliterated from the Greek euangelistes and means literally, “a messenger of good.” Religiously, the evangelist is the messenger of the good news of the Gospel of Christ. That an evangelist is also a preacher is evident from the way the two words are used synonymously in 2 Timothy 4:2, 5 (i.e., Timothy was charged to do what a preacher does, namely preach, in verse 2 while Paul also instructed him to be an evangelist in verse 5).
The word “preacher” is translated from the Greek kerux and means “a herald or one who makes a proclamation.” The word “preacher” from kerux appears in 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11. The related Greek word kerusso appears in Romans 10:14.
The word “minister” is translated from several Greek words. One of these is diakonos, which means “a servant, attendant, minister, deacon.” The context in which it appears determines how it is being used and whether it refers to a minister of the Gospel, someone who ministers (serves) in some capacity or the office of a deacon (1 Timothy 3:8-13). Some passages in which it refers to a minister of the Gospel include 1 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Timothy 4:6. Another Greek word for “minister” is leitourgos, which means “a public servant, minister.” Some passages in which it is used for a minister of the Gospel include Romans 15:16. Still another Greek word for minister is huperetes which means “an under rower” and appears in Acts 26:16; 1 Corinthians 4:1.
Vine notes some distinction between these words for minister as follows: “Speaking broadly, diakonos views a servant in relation to his work; … huperetes, in relation to his superior; leitourgos, in relation to public service.” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
We have briefly viewed English nouns associated with the concept of the one we might refer to either as an evangelist, preacher or minister. Though each word has a slightly different connotation, each also pertains in the New Testament to dissemination of God’s Word to humanity. In addition to the definition of these words, how they are used in the New Testament context also indicates what the office of responsibility of an evangelist, preacher or minister includes.
As to whether an evangelist (or preacher or minister) is a leader in the church depends largely on what one means by leader. The English dictionary definition of “leader” includes ‘a person who leads, as a guide or a conductor or a person who exercises authority or influence.’ The public nature of the work of an evangelist (or preacher or minister) anticipates that he will guide others, perhaps conducting them through this life to the eternal and joyful shores of heaven. An evangelist or preacher or minister speaks with authority, not his own but divine authority that resonates from the pages of inspiration. He also ought to be expected to have a predictable influence over those he addresses regularly, particularly in the church.
However, if by a leader one imagines something like evangelistic oversight, having authority on par with or above elders, then the answer would be different. Elders are the ones who must meet stringent divine qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) rather than evangelists. Further, elders (plural) rather than an elder or an evangelist are charged with the responsibility for a congregation’s well being. It is the eldership that is burdened with overseeing a congregation (Acts 20:28) and ruling it and for which members of the congregation they must account to God (Hebrews 13:17).
Through his mission as a bearer of God’s Word and the subsequent edification that follows, the evangelist can be largely responsible for guiding a congregation indirectly. In addition, he will not only teach the men and their families who will one day serve as elders and the wives of elders, but in conjunction with the divine qualifications elders must meet, in his public opportunities help a congregation to officiate the congregational selection of elders (Titus 1:5). If Titus 1:5 were thought to somehow elevate evangelists above elders and the rest of the church, it would be a singular doctrine dependent on that one passage alone, and largely out of step with the ministry of the evangelist, preacher or minister, both by definition and description of his duties from the New Testament context.
