The organization of the local church is clearly outlined in the New Testament.  There are only two offices in the local church mentioned in the New Testament. We read of the office of the elder and, by implication, the office of the deacon, both of which demand specific qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9).  Thus, when Paul addressed the church at Philippi, he referred to the saints, which would include every member of the local church, and then the two groups I just mentioned, that is, the bishops (another term for the word elder) and the deacons (Philippians 1:1).

What about an evangelist?  Does an evangelist occupy an office in the church?  The answer is no. There is no office of an evangelist in the local church; in fact, there is no such thing in scripture as the office of an evangelist.  The term evangelist refers to a work, not an office in the church.  Paul told Timothy to do the work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5).

What is the work of the evangelist?  As we read Paul’s instructions to Timothy and Titus, we discover what the work of an evangelist is.  The evangelist, also referred to by Paul as a minister of Jesus Christ, is to remind Christians of things taught by the apostles of Christ (1Timothy 4:6).  He is also to teach the doctrine of Christ to other faithful men who in turn might teach others (2 Timothy 2:2).

The primary work of the evangelist, then, is to preach the Word of God, which is in fact what the word evangelist means.  Paul said that the evangelist must reprove, rebuke and exhort with all long-suffering (2 Timothy 4:2).   What is it that the evangelist is to preach?  Paul told Titus to speak the things which accord with sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).

An evangelist’s main obligation centers around the doctrine of Christ.  It is no surprise, then, that Paul instructed Timothy to study (2 Timothy 2:15) and to give attendance to reading (1 Timothy 4:13).

Does the evangelist have any authority?  Yes, but his authority is not over anyone, his authority is to speak, exhort and rebuke (Titus 2:15).

There are those in the church who teach, preach and practice evangelistic oversight.  This is the man-made doctrine that says the evangelist is over the elders in the local church and that he, for all practical purposes, is in charge of the church.  This practice is no different from the pastoral system seen in denominationalism, the only difference is that the preacher has control instead of a single pastor.  Both systems are unscriptural and sinful.

The evangelist does not have oversight over any person in the church.  If he does, where is the passage that teaches it?  It is not by accident that Paul instructs elders to “Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock” (Acts 20:28), and instructs an evangelist to “Take heed unto yourself, and to the doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:16).  These instructions of an inspired apostle of Christ marks the distinction between the elder and the evangelist.  One’s primary work has to do with overseeing the flock, and the other’s primary work has to do with preaching the doctrine of Christ.  Only power-hungry men in the church try to blur the distinction between the two.

But, did not Paul instruct Titus to set things in order at Crete and to ordain elders in every city?  Yes, he did (Titus 1:5).  But, what does that prove about evangelistic oversight?  Nothing!  It is God’s will that there be elders in every church where there are men who qualify.  Paul knew that for whatever reason, this had not taken place at Crete; so, he left Titus there to rectify the situation. Did Titus have oversight over the elders after he ordained (appointed) them to occupy that position in the various local churches?  No, and there is no passage to prove that he did.  There is no evidence that Titus even stayed at Crete for any length of time.  After he set things in order, Paul wanted Titus to join him at Nicopolis (Titus 3:12).

It is a shame that some men want so desperately to have power and be in charge that they add to the Word of God and invent an office for themselves that never did exist in the first century.  Preachers should be satisfied with preaching and leave the overseeing to the men that God gave that charge to, that is, elders in the local church.  Remember, local churches are made up of bishops, deacons, and saints (Philippians 1:1).  Faithful churches stick to what is written.