APOSTOLIC CHURCHES & HUBS
APOSTOLIC CHURCHES & HUBS
vs
PASTORAL CHURCHES & DENOMINATIONS
Let me state UP FRONT … this is NOT an effort to discredit or diminish the value of pastoral ministry. Pastors are essential; shepherds are vital to the health & life of the Body of Christ! Care, coverings & discipline matter deeply to us all.
I HONOR pastors!
We NEED pastors!
That said, many of us are recognizing how far today’s church has wandered away from THE NEW WINESKIN that was set in place by Christ Himself, through the Holy Spirit-inspired teachings of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:11-16; a wineskin that was never intended to be changed! And today, there is a rising cry for the restoration of a church that looks less like natural maintenance, and more like supernatural ministry; less like New York, Atlanta, Orlando, or Houston, and more like Antioch!
That said, we are all still learning! We are all still seeking the face of God. And we MUST BE willing to allow Him to reform the structure that we have embraced for far too long … WE ARE NOT ABANDONING THE PAST; WE ARE RESTORING THE FOUNDATION!
TWO (2) MODELS; TWO (2) EMPHASES
UNIQUELY DIFFERENT MINISTRY FOCUSES
WHY DOES ALL OF THIS MATTER?
And THIS is why apostolic churches & hubs matter. THIS is why understanding Antioch matters. This is why the restoration of proper alignment matters.
It’s time to RIGHTLY discern the “new” … to restore the ONLY true “wineskin” ever created, that is capable of stewarding the New Wine!
This is NOT about “hierarchy” for ego, power, or control … it’s about divinely appointed function, foundation, and governance of the affairs of The Kingdom of God upon the earth. It’s not about titles or positions, it’s about obedience & authority; it’s about Kingdom advance.
The church is shifting … from care-only to commission-driven; from consumerism to missional.
And the hungry are humbly crying out …
LORD, EMPOWER US TO BUILD AGAIN!
vs
PASTORAL CHURCHES & DENOMINATIONS
Let me state UP FRONT … this is NOT an effort to discredit or diminish the value of pastoral ministry. Pastors are essential; shepherds are vital to the health & life of the Body of Christ! Care, coverings & discipline matter deeply to us all.
I HONOR pastors!
We NEED pastors!
That said, many of us are recognizing how far today’s church has wandered away from THE NEW WINESKIN that was set in place by Christ Himself, through the Holy Spirit-inspired teachings of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:11-16; a wineskin that was never intended to be changed! And today, there is a rising cry for the restoration of a church that looks less like natural maintenance, and more like supernatural ministry; less like New York, Atlanta, Orlando, or Houston, and more like Antioch!
That said, we are all still learning! We are all still seeking the face of God. And we MUST BE willing to allow Him to reform the structure that we have embraced for far too long … WE ARE NOT ABANDONING THE PAST; WE ARE RESTORING THE FOUNDATION!
TWO (2) MODELS; TWO (2) EMPHASES
- The “pastoral” model is primarily focused on management & maintenance; centered on ministry to the felt needs of those who gather in a physical structure
- The “apostolic” model is about reformation & realignment; centered upon the divine mandate to train & equip all saints, building unity & maturity into the entire body (EPHESIANS 4:11-16)
- The “pastoral” model emphasizes gathering believers; centered on the care and comfort of those who gather
- The “apostolic” model” emphasizes expanding spiritual influence over territories; transforming & commissioning the saints as the agents of Kingdom governance (MATTHEW 16:18-19)
- The “pastoral” model leans heavily upon business-like systems & concepts; too often weak or void of supernatural power
- The “apostolic” model proves itself through the release of Kingdom authority; often confirmed through miracles, signs, & wonders … the fruit of the apostolic (I CORINTHIANS 4:20)
- The “pastoral” model, often intentionally, neglects … even rejects the biblical 5-fold administration of the New Testament Church
- The “apostolic” model intentionally trains, equips, activates, and commissions the biblical 5-fold administration of the New Testament Church (EPHESIANS 4: 11-16)
- The “pastoral” model often leans heavily upon intellect-based decision making
- The “apostolic” model follows the pillar of fire .. PRESENCE before process (EXODUS 13:21-22)
- The “pastoral” model focuses on identity through the building of organizational & physical structures
- The “apostolic” model focuses on identifying & tearing down spiritual strongholds over cities, regions, states & nations (ACTS 19:23-27)
UNIQUELY DIFFERENT MINISTRY FOCUSES
- “Pastoral” ministry shepherds people
- “Apostolic” ministry trains, equips, commissions & deploys people into their assigned spheres of Kingdom influence
- “Pastoral” ministry almost always functions within established structures (norms)
- “Apostolic” ministry carries divine anointing to build what is needed, but does not yet exist
- “Pastoral” ministry seeks to maintain what is
- “Apostolic” ministry pioneers what Heaven declares is coming (ISAIAH 43:18-19)
WHY DOES ALL OF THIS MATTER?
- Saints need care … but regions, states & nations need government
- Sheep need shepherds … but regions, states & nations need pioneers; builders; apostles
And THIS is why apostolic churches & hubs matter. THIS is why understanding Antioch matters. This is why the restoration of proper alignment matters.
It’s time to RIGHTLY discern the “new” … to restore the ONLY true “wineskin” ever created, that is capable of stewarding the New Wine!
This is NOT about “hierarchy” for ego, power, or control … it’s about divinely appointed function, foundation, and governance of the affairs of The Kingdom of God upon the earth. It’s not about titles or positions, it’s about obedience & authority; it’s about Kingdom advance.
The church is shifting … from care-only to commission-driven; from consumerism to missional.
And the hungry are humbly crying out …
LORD, EMPOWER US TO BUILD AGAIN!
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