Awakening To Apostolic Ministry
In recent decades Christ has been restoring apostolic ministry within the Church. While the nature and function of this anointing has never ceased from the early days of the church, many who have served in this capacity were not recognized as such. They may have been called missionaries, pioneers, or even prophets, but they were fulfilling the call and ministry characteristic of apostles.
In recent years there has been increased demonstration and understanding of such ministry gifts. As with any spiritual gift, there is diversity in the operation of this ministry. Many younger people are emerging with this call and anointing on their lives. Christ is preparing and sending His church forward with a great mission to reap a worldwide harvest of souls.
What Is An Apostle?
David Cannistraci summarizes several dimensions of this ministry as “a person who is called and sent by Christ and has the spiritual authority, character, gifts and abilities to successfully reach and establish people in Kingdom truth and order, especially by founding and overseeing local churches.” (Cannistraci, p. 91)
Peter Wagner unfolds the Biblical roles with this definition, “The gift of apostle is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to assume and exercise general leadership over a number of churches with an extraordinary authority in spiritual matters that is spontaneously recognized and appreciated by those churches.
“Apostles are those whom God has given especially to pastors and church leaders. They are those to whom pastors and church leaders can go for counsel and help. They are peacemakers, troubleshooters, and problem solvers. They can make demands that may sound autocratic but that are gladly accepted because people recognize the gift and the authority it carries with it. They have the overall picture in focus and are not restricted in vision to the problems of one local church.” (Cannistraci, pp. 91-92)
What Do Apostles Do?
Some apostles function as pastors of local churches which serve as an anchor church for their efforts to plant new churches or assist existing ones. Some are itinerant ministers who care for pastors, oversee churches, or solve problems during transitions in leadership or conflict. Others pioneer new churches or lead teams which minister the gospel in unreached areas.
Apostles often collaborate closely with prophets in laying foundations for doctrine and government in the local church. They delight in identifying and installing pastors and elders as well as maintaining a family relationship with congregations for which they have laid foundations. They have deep convictions about unity which they promote in the Body of Christ.
Apostles often mobilize teams that are sent on a specific mission. Individual apostles typically minister from a combination of anointings of varying degrees of the prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher as well.
The Gift of Honor
While some apostolic ministers may have a position of authority as an overseer to a congregation or ministry leader, the authority an apostle carries in any situation is primarily developed through relationships. As the apostle ministers in a life-giving way with integrity, those who receive such ministry are drawn to respect and trust the apostolic ministry and draw upon it again. “A man’s gift makes a way for him … ” (Proverbs 18:16).
As honor is extended to apostolic ministry, and to all of the five-fold anointings of Christ (Ephesians 4:11), there is a greater release of the blessings of that ministry upon those who give the honor. Not only is it profitable for those who respond to apostolic ministry in a responsive way, it brings joy to the minister as well (Hebrews 13:17).
Honor makes a dynamic impact when extended to apostolic and other itinerant ministries in the following ways:
- Prayer prepares the way for them to minister in a specific setting (2 Thessalonians 3:1)
- A local leader who is hosting an apostolic minister can release the guest minister by opening the heart of the local leadership and/or congregation to the visiting ministry. By sharing one’s own testimony and trust for the guest ministry, it creates a platform for the apostolic ministry to establish Kingdom truth and order (Philippians 2:25-30; II Corinthians 7:2a)
- Respect for the calling of God and the counsel that is given restores godly order and brings joy to the apostolic minister (II Corinthians 7:7, 15,16)
- Hospitality that meets the basic needs of the visiting minister extends acceptance and grace in refreshing the guest for ministry (Ill John 5-8)
- Ministry, particularly in pioneering and problem-solving settings, can be very taxing physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Consideration should be given to not overtaxing a guest minister with long extended schedules without due regard for their rest and personal renewal. It is a helpful practice to have selected persons pray with guest ministers after strenuous ministry as a way of refreshing and revitalizing them before sending them on their way (II Corinthians 7:5,13)
- Believers who are served by apostolic ministry in one area can help to extend it into other regions by their responsiveness, confidence, and faith (II Corinthians 10:15-16).
Itinerant Ministries
- Financial honor can be shown by remuneration for services rendered and reimbursement for travel, lodging, or other material costs involved in ministry to them.
- It is important to clarify such arrangements in advance to avoid confusion and to be sure to take adequate responsibility as a congregation or individual leader for ministry received.
- Remuneration can be according to policy of the local congregation (offerings, fixed amount per engagement, etc.), or
- Remuneration may be according to the suggested hourly or per diem rates that the visiting minister may advise.
- Consideration should be given to provide for an extra day of support (as a sabbath) when ministry is five or more days in length.
- Consideration should also be given to remunerate time spent on the telephone, reviewing documents, or preparation of e-mail transmissions when ministry is not in-person or on site; sometimes an invoice system is a mutually satisfactory way to account for such services.
- Financial honor may be extended through a pattern of regular support to recognize the relationship, presence, availability, or services rendered on an occasional basis to a congregation, para-church ministry, or ministry leader.
- Some do so with a set amount on a monthly basis; if so, it is advisable to review this amount periodically (annually) to ascertain if it is appropriate.
- Some do so by determining a percentage of undesignated income which is given to apostolic ministry to recognize oversight and/or to extend similar ministry to others.
- Such giving enables itinerant ministers to devote time to prayer, study, writing, administration, personal growth, sabbath rest, and family priorities.
- In most cases, such support is supplemented by remuneration for on-site ministry as well.
- Individuals and families who desire to honor, encourage, or extend apostolic ministry to others make a vital contribution through regular or occasional gifts.
Financial Support
Paul, in his apostolic ministry made it clear that his motive for ministry was not financial. He acknowledged that it was proper that he should receive material and financial support. He gratefully acknowledged churches and individuals that cared for him in this way. At times he worked to support himself so as to not be a burden on the churches. He also took a fatherly attitude of making provision for those he saw as his spiritual children. In brief, he made no demands upon those to whom he ministered out of the affection of Christ Jesus because they were in his heart. All of the above perspectives are appropriate for those in apostolic ministry today.
In response to godly ministry, the church is exhorted to give due honor to the Lord and to His servants who minister Kingdom truth and order. A variety of ways to do so are given here. More than one may be appropriate for a specific apostolic or itinerant ministry.
Pastors of Anchor Churches
- Pastors of local churches who also have an apostolic or itinerant ministry may be given full support by their local church as a commitment of the congregation to outreach. The amount of time devoted to ministry beyond the local congregation can be mutually discerned annually.
- Anchor churches can set aside a proportion of their income for the specific purpose of extending apostolic ministry to others; such funds may be defined as “Apostolic Ministries,” “Church Planting,” and so forth.
- Monies received in response to the efforts of their Pastor or other team members from the anchor church can be used to cover the Pastor’s salary or placed in a special account, as noted above, from which travel and other costs have been covered.
- Those churches and ministries that are served by a Pastor from an anchor church in an apostolic way may also want to honor the minister with a financial gift as an expression of their ongoing relationship.
The Apostolic Company
All those who respect, release, refresh, and respond to the apostolic anointing of Christ are a part of fulfilling the Great Commission for which He has sent His church into the world. Those who pray, who support financially, and who exercise their spiritual gifts in conjunction with apostolic ministry constitute the apostolic company. Together this company extends the truth and order of God’s Kingdom into an ever-widening sphere of influence throughout the world.
Recommended Reading
Cannistraci, David. The Gift Of Apostle. Regal: 1996. 212 p.
Paino, Paul E. The Ministry: What’s Right?What’s Wrong? Paul E. Paino Ministries: 1992. 40 p.
