The Ephesians Four Network of Churches & Ministers
Fivefold Ministers Colaboring Together To Fulfill The Endtimes Purposes & Plans of God!
Our Vision & Mission
Our vision and mission is to establish the Fivefold Ministry Model in the Church Jesus is building!
A major part of the purposes and plans of God now revealed to the Church is a mandate that the Church begin to embrace and pursue the Ephesians Four Ministry Model delineated in the Fourth Chapter of the Ephesians Epistle. It is a ministry model in which all the Fivefold Ministry Offices are functioning, and flowing together in concerted effort to accomplish the purposes and plans of God—that is, the ongoing ministry of Jesus.
The foundational tenet of The Ephesians Four Network of Churches & Ministers is The Ephesians Four Ministry Model. The establishment of that Model in the Church Jesus is building—not merely in theory, but in practice—is our overarching purpose and goal to which we are inexorably committed.
Founder/Overseer Welcome Video
A New Day Has Dawned for the Church Jesus is Building!
We believe that sometime around the turn of the Millennium, the Head of the Church began calling the Church into a new dimension of the Spirit, and that the gateway into that new dimension of the Spirit is a “new” ministry model, a new paradigm for ministry in the Ekklesia Jesus is building. It is “new” in the natural realm, in that it is a new paradigm to many existing churches. Though, it certainly is not new in the Spirit Realm, or the Kingdom of God, since it is the ministry model that has always been delineated and prescribed in God’s Word.
Indeed, The Ephesians Four Ministry Model is the only model that will produce the results of the building up (edifying) and building (development) of the local church, both individually and corporately, that are delineated in the Ephesians Four text. How do we know that? Because it’s the only model that God says in His Word will generate those results.
The foundational premise of The Ephesians Four Ministry Model is the colaboring together of the Fivefold Ministry Offices (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers) in harmonious concerted effort to equip, edify, educate, train, and mentor, the saints (believers) for the work of ministry, which will result in the building up and building out of the Church Jesus is building, until it comes unto the status of “a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13); that is, ultimate spiritual maturity.
The primary objective of this Model is to establish the Kingdom of Christ in individual believers, resulting in the collective Church being established in the Kingdom of Christ, which will bring about the return of Christ to claim the Glorified Church as His Eternal Bride (Ac. 3:21). To achieve that objective, Fivefold Ministers must educate and immerse the Church in the Gospel of the Kingdom, contrasted to the gospel of churchianity that is concerned with filling church buildings with people rather than filling people with the Kingdom of God.
The Church that Jesus is building is not merely the private family business or cash-cow of some individual or group or family. The true Church Jesus is building is a Remnant Church that is a spiritual entitity comprised of true believers whose collective purpose is to enter into and operate according to the principles of the Kingdom of God in order to fulfill the purposes and plans of God on earth!
The Gospel of the Kingdom equips believers to replicate and surpass the supernatural works Jesus performed during His fleshly ministry, just as He prophesied would happen through genuine Born Again, Spirit-Baptized believers (Jn. 14:12; Ac. 1:8). Indeed, our belief is that The Gospel of the Kingdom will propel the Church into the double-portion Elisha Anointing in a similar way that Elisha received the mantle of Elijah as He was ascending into Heaven. The typology of this Old Testament event foreshadows and corresponds to what occurred on the Day of Ascension on the Mount of Ascension when Jesus, as He was ascending into Heaven, passed on His anointing and mantle, so to speak, to Fivefold Ministers who He would choose, anoint, and appoint throughout the duration of the Church Age as His surrogates charged and empowered with special abilities to equip the saints for the work of service/ministry (Eph. 4:7-12).
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Our Beliefs & Values
In general, we identify as Protestant, Trinitarian Pentecostal, Charismatic, and Continuational regarding the Gifts of the Spirit and Fivefold Ministry Offices. Click the button below to read our specific beliefs. Below are some of our values.
Unity
Our foundational purpose is to advocate for and promote the establishment of the Fivefold Ministry Model which will result in “the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry to the building up of the body of Christ until we all attain unto the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God” (Eph. 4:13). The prerequisite to achieving that purpose, we emphasize, is that we “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which (we) have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3).
Liberty
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Cor. 3:17)! We have a strong belief in the liberty of the Spirit for all believers, but particularly regarding Fivefold Ministry functions, which we believe are are in no way hierarchical or vertical, but rather horizontal in relationship! Jesus rebuked the Apostles of the Lamb regarding their ungodly attitudes of ascendency when they were arguing among themselves which of them was the greatest, and told them (and all ministers today) they were all on the same level as brothers and the greatest among them (and all ministers today) was the one who is a servant to all! He indicated leadership in the world was a top-down system of ascendancy, but that it was not that way in the Kingdom of God and its leadership (Lk. 22:24ff; et al.)! Unfortunately, due to the effects of the sin nature on human nature, hierarchical or vertical leadership paradigms are virtually always fraught with abusive hyper-authoritarianism to one degree or another, and true personal and functional autonomy is thereby negatively impacted and limited. God created all living beings (angels and humans) with a personal will, i.e., volition, or personal autonomy; and that personal will is inviolable, even by God. God will not violate any living being’s personal will! Thus, neither does anyone possess the authority or right from God to violate anyone else’s personal will and thereby “control” them in any way or degree — that includes in the ecclesial realm; i.e., church leadership! Thus, we believe in inviolable personal and ministerial autonomy! We do not exercise any kind of authority over any of our members, though we do reserve the right to withdraw ministerial credentials from any member whose conduct is incongruous with Scripture and the qualifications it delineates regarding ministers.
Love
When God desired to encapsulate in one Word who He is, one of the words He chose was “Love” — “God is Love!” (1 Jn. 4:8,16). The so-called “11th Commandment,” given by Jesus in His fleshly appearance, which is really not another, but a summation of the original 10, is that we should “Love one another.” Love is truly the litmus test of genuine regeneration (the rebirth). The following Scriptures speak loudly and clearly for themselves: “This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us (1 Jn. 3:23). Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 Jn. 4:7-8)! God even tells us how to know or define love: “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 Jn. 3:16). God’s radical and complete love for us that motivated Him to lay down His life for us as the “propitiation for our sins” (1 Jn. 4:10) is our motivation for loving other: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 Jn. 4:11)! We could go on and on about what Scripture reveals about the greatness and centrality of God’s love to the Kingdom of God, the Good News Gospel of Christ, and all genuine ministry, but suffice it to say here that the matter of Love is central to Fivefold Ministry and every Fivefold Minister should be doing everything possible to make it the primary objective of life and ministry in practice, not merely rhetorically.
The Role of Fivefold Ministry
"Fivefold Ministry is the ongoing surrogate ministry of Christ Himself to the Church—His Betrothed. All legitimate ministry emanates from Jesus Himself and is an extension of His ministry. Unless it emulates His ministry, it’s not legitimate ministry."
"The essence and role of the Fivefold Ministry can only be understood in the context of the Church and Christ’s relationship with it. Above all else, the Church is 'the Lamb’s Wife' (Rev. 21:9)."
"The Lamb’s Wife is the recipient and beneficiary of all genuine ministry, for She is the object of Christ’s passion. The Bridegroom is wholly and eternally committed to His Betrothed. His statement, 'I will build My CHURCH,' is a vivid expression of His passion. Building His Church is the only building program to which He has ever been personally committed."
—Dr. Steven Lambert, ThD, DMin
from The Role of Fivefold Ministry
Who We Are
Our Leadership
Our network evolved out of another ministerial fellowship whose leadership asked Dr. Lambert to take over its leadership in 1998. The overseer of that fellowship subsequently passed away a short time later. Dr. Lambert renamed the organization, redefined its mission and goals, reorganized its operations, and over time, added additional elements to make the network more responsive to the real needs of functioning ministers as well as those aspiring to become ministers and leaders in the Church Jesus is building.
Founder/Overseer: Dr. Steven Lambert
Apostolic Prophet
Dr. Steven Lambert Dr. Steven Lambert, ThD, a devoted servant of God and a highly respected minister, graduated to glory and went home to be with the Lord, Jesus Christ, on November 19, 2024, concluding a remarkable ministry that spanned nearly five decades. Born in 1948 in Springfield, Ohio, Dr. Lambert was an ordained minister who had a profound impact on countless lives through his work in apostolic and prophetic ministry, teaching, writing, counseling, deliverance, church planting, evangelism, and revival. His ministry began in 1976 and touched individuals across the globe, reaching thousands through his teachings, experience involving the apostolic, prophetic, teaching, writing/editing/publishing, counseling, deliverance, church planting, evangelism, and revival. He was the author of a number of books and published articles read by many around the world. [Catalog, writing/editing info]
He was the founder/overseer of Ephesians Four Network of Churches & Ministers, produces and hosts The Real Truth Podcast & Radio Program, is the founder/owner/host of The Real Truth Radio Network, and the founder/publisher of Spirit Life Magazine.
Read more about Dr. Lambert on the “About” Page on his ministry website.
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does being a “Friend” of the network mean?
Many ministers, ministries, and churches around the world have asked how they can become a “friend” or affiliate of our network because they identify with our goals and purposes. So we created a registration program for that purpose. Registration is FREE! Learn more.
What types of credentials do you offer?
Christian Worker, Commission To Preach, Ministerial License, Ministerial Ordination. Learn more.
What are the requirements for ministerial credentials?
Be 21 years of age. Not a convicted felon or currently under investigation for or charged with any criminal activity. Be engaged in some form of systematic Bible Study. Been functioning in a ministry capacity for two or more years, conducting yourself and your ministry according to the highest standards of conduct in accordance with Scripture. Provide two non-related references vouching for your ministry capabilities and personal character and conduct. There are no educational requirements. Learn more.
What are the financial requirements for Members?
A one-time credentialing fee, plus a minimum monthly or annual membership fee that differs per type. Learn more.
What is your corporate structure?
Our network is organized as a Non-Profit Corporation Sole, a legal entity that is not a “creature of the state,” and therefore constitutionally protected from any and all government intrusion under the First Amendment.
Do you charter local churches? How does it work?
Yes! You apply for a charter providing basic information about your church and we send you a Certificate of Charter under the legal auspices of our network. You do not need to incorporate your church or register it with the IRS; this method is in lieu of incorporation and automatically establishes your church as a legal tax-exempt non-profit entity in the US. [This is not a representation of legal advice and should not be construed as such. Consult an attorney for legal advice.] Learn more.
LINKS, CONNECTIONS, & RESOURCES
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