Reflections
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. (Eph. 4:11-12)
To EDIFY in Christ is to BUILD UP in Christ. This speaks of ministry that serves as spiritual food for the forming of Christ in us.
It is folly to think that this can somehow happen only on a group level. It cannot even begin to bring greater life on a corporate level unless it is first happening on an individual level. Christ is first in the individual. If Christ is formed in the individual first, then this will increase the spiritual health of the entire Body of Christ.
Ministry is not a matter of studying books and passing on the information. To be edified in Christ is not a matter of absorbing that information and increasing in theological knowledge. Rather, ministry is a matter of a person giving themselves personally over to Christ so that His life might be made manifest. This can then take the shape of teaching, etc., but the spiritual fabric will be much different than mere information – it will carry the very life of the One of Whom it speaks.
Edification in Christ is a matter of being built up IN CHRIST – through the personal inward revelation of Himself to me. All ministry that is of God is unto this end.