Overview
The session explains the nature of apostolic leadership and its governmental structure within churches, drawing on examples from the Book of Acts to outline key functions and practical expressions.
Apostolic Leadership Defined
- Apostolic leadership includes spiritual (word and prayer), missional, theological, and relational leadership, as seen throughout Acts.
- Spiritual leadership prioritizes ministry of the word and prayer.
- Missional leadership drives churches and people toward active mission.
- Theological leadership addresses and resolves doctrinal questions.
- Relational leadership is built on strong, personal relationships among leaders.
What Apostolic Leadership Accomplishes
- Apostolic leadership pioneers and plants new churches where none existed before.
- It strengthens existing churches through teaching, preaching, and personal development.
- There is a focus on multiplying churches into new areas, cities, and cultures.
Apostolic Government: Structure and Function
- Apostolic government concerns the leadership and oversight of newly established and growing churches.
- Effective government is dependent on prior involvement in birthing, strengthening, and multiplying churches.
Three Expressions of Apostolic Government
- Apostolic wisdom involves offering seasoned, biblically-informed suggestions, typically non-directive and contextually sensitive.
- Apostolic development focuses on coaching, mentoring, and consulting leaders to enhance their effectiveness and facilitate growth.
- Apostolic authority encompasses decisive actions such as appointing church leaders, rebuking sin, correcting doctrine, and ensuring mission alignment.
Practical Applications and Clarifications
- Apostolic wisdom and development are suggestive; authoritative actions are reserved for critical governance issues.
- Examples include appointing elders in new churches, confronting sin, addressing doctrinal errors, and maintaining mission priorities.
- The framework recognizes the need for flexibility depending on local context and maturity of the church.
Key Takeaways for Course and Residency Preparation
- Understanding these distinctions and roles is foundational for engaging in episodic leadership and apostolic government within the church context.
- Framework aims to provide shared vocabulary and structure for further study and practice.