Apostle

The One Who Is Sent

The uniqueness of Apostolic leadership lies in the ability to pioneer new, innovative and mission-minded works. This leadership style has the ability to oversee the development of apostolic works. Apostolic leadership has a unique sense of being sent, prepared specifically for a purpose. In a leader, he or she has an internal sense of urgency for the future, an awareness of the needs of tomorrow. Apostolic leadership seek opportunities to engage causes of significance larger than themselves.

The mindset of the Apostolic is often trans-local, larger and more encompassing than the immediate. Apostolic leadership is the guardian of the organization’s DNA, or identity of the community and cause. He or she is an entrepreneur, a groundbreaker and strategist seeking to initiate an organization or individual’s purpose, service, or mission. The Apostolic leader impacts communities through extension. Apostolic leaders need to sense movement and change. The Apostolic influences by ensuring that Christianity is transmitted from one context to another, from one era to another.

 

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

LUKE 10:1,3

 

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task..I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. .So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow..The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor..For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building… For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

1 CORINTHIANS 3:5-9, 11

 

Characteristics

  • Visionary thinking and motivation.
  • Comfortable crossing boundaries - intellectual, social or cultural.
  • Entrepreneurial interests to build communities of faith.
  • Starting something new is energizing.
  • Pioneering new endeavors.
  • Strategic decision maker.
  • Innovative approaches and solutions.
  • Uncomfortable with the status quo.
  • See things holistically, part of larger system.
  • Understands multiple dynamics and
  • components.
  • Deep relationships at a distance, in
  • outside networks.
  • Need to move occasionally to pursue
  • a new thing.

 

Impact: Innovation

Cast vision to those around you. Do not be afraid to let your passion and excitement ignite others lives. Listen to the questions and comments of others. Often, these elements will identify details needing to be integrated into your message, providing greater clarity. Do not fear over-explaining why certain people, organizations and resources are necessary to stabilize the vision.

Those nearest to you are likely to have an apostolic or prophetic mindset. Ask them to help explain and provide strategy for the vision. They are unlikely to know how to accomplish the vision. Allow them to inspire others toward understanding. Recruit and release other like-minded individuals to seed the vision within the structure of the movement.

What you see as needed to further a missional cause may not be immediately seen by those near you. Envision within the local church, explaining themes for annual meetings, events, financial campaigns, and individuals. Depending on your mindset, some apostolic leaders serve best by inspiring people one at a time or to large groups.