Getting Done What Needs Doing: The Functions Of The Church

NEW trends in Christianity today focus on various spiritual operations that do not fall into the specific classifications of spiritual gifts, five-fold ministry offices, or appointments, as are clearly laid out in the New Testament. Some of them, in fact, are not found in the New Testament, nor in the Bible by name, at all. This has caused many to become confused as to what exactly they are and where they fit in with our existing understanding of spiritual gifts, offices, and appointments. Assuming they are their own offices or tacking them on to offices, the general confusion continues as people pursue things they are unqualified for or don't feel like they properly "fit in" with what they have.

Studying this trend, Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino started noting many of these things to be things that helped the church function rather than standing as gifts, appointments, or offices. As a result, she has classified these assorted works as the "Functions of the Church," because they are things that fill in gaps, here and there, to make sure every need, work, office, and gift are properly functioning. These eleven functional works: preacher, missionary, dreamer and visionary, interpreter of dreams and visions, intercessor, watchman and gatekeeper, handmaiden and menservant, scribe, spiritual father or mother, church mothers, and mystic are explained in this book, looking at the Biblical support for their purpose, and expounding upon each of them so that as a church, we are better able to understand our function and depth.