| The Reverse Hierarchy.

A challenge to all leaders.

The traditional top-down approach which is found in many churches and congregations, is challenged by JESUS by applying an understanding of a reverse hierarchy.

Christian traditions may suggest for a functional church structures anD organisational chart, where the most powerful members of the congregation sit at the top, while those with the least amount are at the bottom.

In contrast to this top-down hierarchy which grants the persons at the top of the church organisation significantly more control over key decisions than those lower in the hierarchy, it becomes apparent that the understanding of the New Testament follows a different pattern: an apostle moves within a completely voluntary network, and this role does not have any institutionalised authority. An apostle (and the other four functions) is expected to have an extraordinary character and a very humble attitude. 

The passage in Eph. 4:11-12 contains exciting theological principles: “People with leadership gifts are to train others so that every member can contribute to the overall growth of the whole body. The primary purpose of the passage is to demonstrate that gifted leadership was given to ecclesia in order that it might progress toward a unified spiritual maturity. These leadership gifts are part of an interdependent exercise of gifts of all members of the church. The church as a whole will not reach a unified maturity unless each of its members is exercising his gift in concert with other members. The proper interdependent exercise of gifts brings about maturity of oneness in believers and strengthens the ecclesia’s eschatological journey towards Christ-likeness.” (Thomas Kelebogile Resane)

The aim of the five-fold ministry is not to execute power but that Christians can flourish. As a consequence,  a different chart is suggested: 

A bottom-up hierarchy signals and elucidates the inner heart attitude of an apostlic team:

Such a reverse hierarchy chart is a conceptual organisational structure that attempts to invert the traditional understanding of executing authority, which is traditionally displayed by a top-down pyramid of a hierarchical organisations. The functions of the five-fold ministry rather provide support to the local congregations. They adjust and equip as well as perfect and build up the body of Christ. This serving-focused, humbled attitude is expressed by a bottom-up chart.