Regarding gifts to the church (Eph. 4), be it remembered it is in the body, the whole body, God has set gifts. It is upon the whole body that Christ has bestowed them, and we are not the whole body. Suppose the church were still manifestly one as in the apostles’ days, even then it is quite possible that the assembly in one place might be without an evangelist and in another without a pastor or teacher. In other places there might be more than one of each.
Today the church is in a scattered, divided state. Has the Lord Jesus ceased to manifest His care by the bestowal of suitable and needed gifts? By no means. But it is in the unity of the whole body they are found, and we need to remember this.
All saints form the church of God in a place, and there may be evangelists and pastors and teachers among those members of the body who are in various denominations in that place. What benefit do we derive from their ministry? And further, what benefit do the saints with them [in those denominations] derive from any of Christ’s gifts which are among us?
If we have not such gifts as found according to Ephesians 4, let us humbly own our poverty. If there be found even a few gifts, let us be thankful, own them in the place God has given them, and pray for more and better gifts and ministries.
Let us be simple, humble and unassuming. Let us not pretend to more than we have or to do that for which God has not qualified us.
W. Trotter (adapted from a letter)