I’ve been wrestling with a crucial question in the modern church:
“Are we equipping people to hear God, or just telling them what He said?” It’s a real frustration to see a void of training dedicated to helping people listen to and discern the voice of the Holy Spirit. While teaching Scripture, memorizing the words of Jesus, and consuming content through sermons and books are vital, imagine the world-changing impact if we poured a comparable amount of energy into the practice of listening to God and actually obeying Him. This longing for impact leads me to focus on the gift of prophecy and its essential role in the life of the church.
It surfaces a crucial question: What is the primary function of the prophetic gift in our missional context today?
The Key Function: Equipping Listeners
The role of the prophet, as outlined in Ephesians 4:11-12, has a two-fold function. The typical role is to discern the times and understand what needs to be done, exemplified by court prophets like Nathan. However, the second and often overlooked function is to equip people to hear, listen, and discern the voice of God.
This function is essential for true growth and multiplication. In the Old Testament, there were schools to train promising prophets, where experienced prophets like Samuel modeled, taught, and coached apprentices like Nathan. Their primary duty was to train the young apprentice prophets on how to listen and respond to God. The goal of the prophetic function is to serve as a conduit of God’s voice, AND in turn, train others to hear and respond to God for themselves. It is so vital for those with the gift of prophecy to empower the saints for the work of ministry, leading to exponential spiritual growth.
This brings up another important question: What are the characteristics of a prophetic leader?
Characteristics of a Prophetic Leader
When discussing the “five-fold ministry,” missional and church planting leaders offer a perspective on the prophetic gift that highlights key characteristics:
The “Disturber” or “Questioner”: Prophetic leaders are the ones who challenge the status quo and speak truth. They ask the difficult questions that expose hypocrisy, call for repentance, and push the community to align with God’s will. Their function is to create “holy discontent” that leads to growth and change.
Focus on Hearing God and Guiding Obedience: Prophetic leaders cultivate a culture of God-centeredness through practices like listening prayer. Their speech is often “forth-telling” (declaring God’s truth for a specific time and situation) and “foretelling” (predicting the future), encouraging responsive obedience.
Foundational and Restored Gift: Prophetic leaders emphasize the ongoing need for the gift as foundational for the church, strengthening ministry, and bringing Christ’s followers into unity. They also stress the importance of testing any prophetic message against the Bible to ensure it is genuine.
Equipper of the Saints: Prophetic leaders are as noted in the Ephesians 4:11-12 text – to equip and empower the saints for the work of ministry. The goal is to move the church from dependency on one voice to a community where everyone can hear and respond to God.
In essence, prophetic leaders are not mysterious, isolated figures – but a critical and sometimes uncomfortable part of a healthy, functioning church. They are the ones who help the church stay on mission by constantly questioning whether its current practices and culture are truly aligned with God’s heart.
Here are some works by leading missional thinkers on this topic:
Neil Cole:Primal Fire: Reigniting the Church with the Five Gifts of Jesus. In this book, Cole explores the five equipping gifts, with a focus on how the church can reactivate all five to become a more vibrant and effective movement.
Paul Ford:Mobilizing Spiritual Gifts focuses on helping churches and individuals identify and use their spiritual gifts for ministry. The author shares his perspective on the prophetic gift as a vital component for building up the body of Christ, and he provides resources for leaders to help their congregations discover and deploy these gifts.
Alan Hirsch:The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church. This foundational work introduces Hirsch’s influential APEST framework and its significance for the modern church. He specifically identifies the prophet’s role as the “disturber” who challenges the status quo and helps the church return to its missional roots.
A Few Questions for Reflection
I’ve been thinking about this a lot, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.
How does this description of the “prophet” gift resonate with you?
What concerns or questions does this kind of ministry bring to mind for you?
As you think about your own ministry, who comes to mind when you think of people with this gift?
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I was recently asked a question that really made me pause and think: “How do you describe the gift of the apostle?”
So much has been said and written about this topic, but I wanted a clear, concise answer. After a lot of reflection, I finally landed on a response that felt right.
I remember a conversation I had with my friend, Dr. Paul Ford. Paul is a true expert on spiritual gifts; he’s traveled the world helping thousands of leaders discover their unique callings. What he shared with me about the apostolic gift was so insightful. He said that based on all of his travels and research, there are very few leaders who actually have this gift.
Now, I know that might stir up some conversation! On one hand, many people believe that all of us have one of the five gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-12. From my perspective, a lot of people have apostolic ministry—meaning they do things that look apostolic—but very few have the actual gift of the apostle as a core part of who they are.
This led me to a crucial question: What is the primary function of the gift of the apostle?
The Key Function: Multiplier
This is the one trait that truly defines an apostle’s impact. Their true success isn’t just about adding to what’s already there; it’s about multiplying it. Think about it this way: they raise up disciples who go on to make more disciples, they cultivate leaders who develop more leaders, and they help start churches that go on to start other churches. They are all about exponential growth, not just incremental growth.
Look at leaders like Peter, Paul, and Barnabas in the Bible. They didn’t just build one church; they sparked entire movements. They were masters at equipping others who could then carry on the work they started. This brings up another important question: What are the characteristics of an apostolic leader?
Characteristics of an Apostolic Leader
Pioneering and Visionary: Apostolic leaders are like spiritual entrepreneurs. They’re “sent ones” with a specific mission to extend the gospel. They are always looking to the future, pushing into new territories, and finding innovative ways to do kingdom work.
Foundation-Layers: Their main job is to lay the groundwork for new ministries and churches. They’re not meant to be the permanent pastor of a single place. Instead, they start a new work, get it on solid footing, and then empower others to lead and manage it so they can move on to the next mission.
Equippers and Developers: They have a unique gift for developing leaders. They create an environment where the other gifts—prophet, evangelist, shepherd, and teacher—can emerge and flourish. They are catalysts for the growth of the church and its leaders.
Trans-local and Networking: They operate beyond one location, connecting with other leaders and churches to facilitate broader movements. They care about the health of the entire church, not just a single congregation.
Custodians of the “Missional DNA”: Apostolic leaders are the guardians of the church’s core mission. They make sure that the essential beliefs and practices of Christianity are faithfully passed down from one generation and context to the next.
Risk-takers: They’re more comfortable with change and risk than most people. They’re willing to step out into challenging and unknown situations for the sake of the mission. However, this is why they need the other gifts (like shepherding and teaching) to help ensure people are cared for and not left behind.
In a nutshell, apostles are dynamic, catalytic leaders who are essential for reigniting the church’s passion for mission and creating healthy, reproducible movements. They embody the forward-moving, expansionary nature of the early church.
Here are some works by leading missional thinkers on this topic:
Alan Hirsch and Michael Frost, The Shaping of Things to Come (2003)
Neil Cole, Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens (2005)
Bob Logan, The Leadership Difference: The Key to Growing a Healthy Church (2005)
A Few Questions for Reflection
I’ve been thinking about this a lot, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.
How does this description of the “apostle” gift resonate with you?
What concerns or questions does this kind of ministry bring to mind for you?
As you think about your own ministry, who comes to mind when you think of people with this gift?
Have you ever heard when an athlete or actor announces their retirement with a big public statement, only to suddenly pop back up a few months later as if nothing ever happened? That “just kidding” attitude can be a little confusing and even frustrating for fans. While it doesn’t really affect anyone’s personal life, this kind of back-and-forth isn’t limited to the world of sports and entertainment. It also happens in ministry, and the impact on a church community can be significant. These same things relate to various roles within denominational and missions agencies; the higher up you are in the organization, the greater the impact.
You may have experienced a ministry leader hinting at a future change or even setting a retirement date, only to change their mind later. This can create a whirlwind of emotions for the congregation or organization —from panic and confusion to relief and joy. Making a premature announcement can really cause a lot of chaos for the leadership, the church body, and the pastor’s own family. You might be asking, “Why? Isn’t it always best to be honest and open?”
I grew up in a church that handled succession incredibly well. Each pastor served for a specific season, perfectly suited for that stage of the church’s life. The church is still thriving today, and I think one reason is because of this thoughtful, very intentional approach. What I remember most about the transition from the founding pastor to his successor was how the new pastor honored the one who came before him. Every year on the church’s anniversary, all the former pastors would be brought on stage one by one. They’d greet each other with big smiles and warm embraces, standing side-by-side to applaud their successors and worship God together. It was a beautiful picture of unity and respect. When a pastor felt it was time to move on, they never announced it until they were absolutely certain it was the right decision and were ready to take the leap.
Unfortunately, pastoral transitions aren’t always that smooth. The plan to leave can get easily derailed or second-guessed, leading to a lot of confusion. If you are a leader contemplating a transition, this blog is for you.
As a leader who has a friend or colleague contemplating a transition, you can help them navigate this season by guiding them through three key stages.
Three Parts of the Succession Transition
Pre-Transition: Make your Decision
Transition: Work your Plan
Post-Transition: Land on Your Feet
This blog will focus on the Pre-Transition stage: Make your Decision
The first step is to determine if you genuinely feel called to leave or if this is a recurring feeling of dissatisfaction that will eventually pass. A good way to gauge your seriousness is to consider telling your spouse. Once a public declaration is made, the transition has officially begun. Be certain before taking that step.
This is where I believe 80% of the problem with succession plans lies. Why?
Chances are, by the time a leader verbalizes, they are thinking of making a change, they have already made the decision. For this reason, I have done my best to encourage leaders to “slow your role!”
Slow Your Role!
I know from personal experience what it feels like to get in your head when contemplating a transition. When I was preparing for a transition, I thought I needed to communicate with all of the people with whom I had relationships in the organization where I served. Well, my good intentions resulted in some major blowback. I realized some important lessons after the fact:
Be certain – Once I made the decision that I was leaving, it was important that I stuck with it.
Be careful with whom you communicate – I kept the circle very small, perhaps too small, but it is probably better to keep it tight so that you “control” the narrative. Once it goes public, you have lost your ability to influence what people think.
Be mindful of what you communicate – I in no way wanted to be critical of the organization where I had served, so I did my best to communicate my gratitude. The reality is, no matter how well you communicate, some people will be surprised, disappointed, angry, etc.
Be empathetic – I paid attention to how I communicated my transition as much as or more so, what I communicated.
Be aware of blowback – Unknowingly, I upset people, which made the interpersonal dynamics really difficult.
One final thing. Don’t overcomplicate the transition. Do what you need to do and then move on!
Things to Avoid
Emotional Decisions: Some leaders might feel an urge to tell their board too early, before they’ve truly settled on their decision.
Temporary Urges: A season of frustration, anger, or burnout can make a pastor want to leave. The pandemic, for example, caused many pastors to question their calling. Discern if this is a temporary feeling or a true calling to something new.
Don’t Attempt it Alone: Find a trusted friend or confidant that you can verbally process this with, taking into consideration the emotional, spiritual, and organizational ramifications. Someone to guide and advise, not to dictate your next move. Remember, this is your journey, and you need to make the decision that’s right for you.
Reflection Questions – (if you are contemplating a change)
How long have you been considering this change?
Who have you shared this with, and what was their reaction?
Have you talked with your spouse about this? What did they say?
What is your true motivation for wanting a change?
Succession is a Process
Succession is a process, not a single event. A decision of this magnitude has a ripple effect and will be met with a wide range of responses. Prepare for the possibility of pushback or unexpected reactions. For instance, some people in the congregation or organization might be happy about the departure, which can be a difficult surprise. Talk through all the possibilities with a trusted friend and how to prepare for them.
Reflection Questions (if you are helping a leader prepare for a change)
How does this potential change fit with what you believe God is doing in your client’s life and ministry?
Once you inform your board, staff, and other key decision-makers, everyone will immediately begin wondering, “What’s next?” This is a great time to introduce a successor. A transition period of three to nine months, where the new pastor can overlap with the outgoing one, can be incredibly helpful. This allows the successor to ease into their role and ensures there’s a clear exit plan for both the pastor and the church.
Post-Transition: A New Beginning
As a coach, you’ll want to help your client prepare for what happens after they leave. Talk with them about a few key things:
Financial stability: Can they provide for their family right away?
Purposeful work: Are they moving to a role where they can use their gifts to their full potential? Ideally, this new move should align with their mission or passion.
Managing expectations: It’s important to remind your client that a new job or phase of life requires time and adjustment. Immediate results are not always guaranteed.
*Please forgive the original post that went out earlier today with the pictures in code form. When it was viewed prior to sending out, everything looked perfect. Unfortunately, sometimes technology just doesn’t cooperate.
How do you navigate personal change? When it comes to your spiritual life, how can you establish new habits in your daily routine for lasting change?
For you and those you lead, this is an important topic. When you embrace the change process and understand the steps involved, you will be more able to help people take the necessary steps to not only navigate an inflection point but to sustain the new reality by taking the necessary steps. Let me give you an example.
I’ve written about my spiritual journey, beginning with the desire to grow spiritually. I joined a cohort in the fall of 2021 to do a deep dive into spiritual formation (one blog where I mentioned this is: Unleash Your Faith: A Bucket List Adventure). As part of my journey with the cohort, I worked through the Ignatian Exercises under the guidance of a spiritual director, integrated regular spiritual retreats, and traveled to Iona, Scotland, for our last intensive to experience the rhythms of Celtic spirituality. Today, I continue to meet regularly with my spiritual director.
The process I went through can be illustrated in the diagram below.
My spiritual formation journey began with an INFLECTION POINT. Dissatisfaction + Curiosity were the catalysts to DISCOVERY. Discovery began with observing what healthy practices looked like to grow spiritually. As I observed new practices, I reflected on what would work for me. And in discussion with my classmates, professors, and spiritual director, I decided which ones I would attempt.
That led to ACTION. I created a plan which now includes my Daily Office using the lectionary, regular retreats at Iona House, and annual assessments. My spiritual director keeps me accountable, helps me fine-tune my plan, and discovers nuances that keep the plan fluid. And then I take action. I’ve found the inclusion of time away on retreat to be the great “multiplier” in my life and ministry (I’ll have to expand on that in another blog at some point).
I highlight the Breakthrough Circle for a couple of reasons:
Personally– It could help you in your personal, spiritual, or leadership journey. As I walked through the steps in my journey, I resonated with each aspect of the process. Also, as I note below, the book that unpacks the Breakthrough Circle will give you a greater appreciation of how to intentionally navigate this in your life.
Ministry – It could help you come alongside people who are navigating a change in their lives. I’ve written a lot about disciple-making, and this is a great tool to use to help people focus on the change they want to see in their lives. In a ministry context, it will be invaluable to train others in your team to equip them to help others navigate change.
Family and friends – This might be a tool you can use with your spouse, children, or significant others in your life. I have not introduced this yet to my family; however, both of my adult children have experienced significant change this last year in their vocation and education. I reckon both would benefit greatly from doing an After-Action-Review to see the steps they took, so they are better equipped for the next big change in their lives.
I discovered the Breakthrough Circle in the book Breakthroughs Are Everywhere: A Guide to Making Big Shifts in Your Life and Work by Curtis Carnes. The author is a passionate Jesus follower. The book references faith, but is not a distinctly Christian book. It is written for a secular audience, specifically leaders in the marketplace.
*You might remember that the “Learning Circle” originated with Michael Breen in his work with the “Order of Mission” and 3DM. Mike created a series of shapes to make the discipleship journey more accessible to younger generations. Curtis Carnes received permission from Mike to use and adapt this diagram to the Breakthrough Circle.
I found Curtis’s story of his personal breakthrough compelling. The Breakthrough Circle makes a significant contribution to understanding how the process of personal change works. Below, I want to offer some helpful questions to engage a person in their discipleship journey.
Questions to help a new disciple process the Breakthrough Circle:
What change would you like to see in your spiritual life?
What is the motivating force?
How committed are you?
Who do you know that can support you?
What is the next step you need to take to solidify the change?
How do you navigate personal change? When it comes to your spiritual life, how can you establish new habits in your daily routine for lasting change?
For you and those you lead, this is an important topic. When you embrace the change process and understand the steps involved, you will be more able to help people take the necessary steps to not only navigate an inflection point but to sustain the new reality by taking the necessary steps. Let me give you an example.
I’ve written about my spiritual journey, beginning with the desire to grow spiritually. I joined a cohort in the fall of 2021 to do a deep dive into spiritual formation (one blog where I mentioned this is: Unleash Your Faith: A Bucket List Adventure). As part of my journey with the cohort, I worked through the Ignatian Exercises under the guidance of a spiritual director, integrated regular spiritual retreats, and traveled to Iona, Scotland, for our last intensive to experience the rhythms of Celtic spirituality. Today, I continue to meet regularly with my spiritual director.
The process I went through can be illustrated in the diagram below.
My spiritual formation journey began with an INFLECTION POINT. Dissatisfaction + Curiosity were the catalysts to DISCOVERY. Discovery began with observing what healthy practices looked like to grow spiritually. As I observed new practices, I reflected on what would work for me. And in discussion with my classmates, professors, and spiritual director, I decided which ones I would attempt.
That led to ACTION. I created a plan which now includes my Daily Office using the lectionary, regular retreats at Iona House, and annual assessments. My spiritual director keeps me accountable, helps me fine-tune my plan, and discovers nuances that keep the plan fluid. And then I take action. I’ve found the inclusion of time away on retreat to be the great “multiplier” in my life and ministry (I’ll have to expand on that in another blog at some point).
I highlight the Breakthrough Circle for a couple of reasons:
Personally– It could help you in your personal, spiritual, or leadership journey. As I walked through the steps in my journey, I resonated with each aspect of the process. Also, as I note below, the book that unpacks the Breakthrough Circle will give you a greater appreciation of how to intentionally navigate this in your life.
Ministry – It could help you come alongside people who are navigating a change in their lives. I’ve written a lot about disciple-making, and this is a great tool to use to help people focus on the change they want to see in their lives. In a ministry context, it will be invaluable to train others in your team to equip them to help others navigate change.
Family and friends – This might be a tool you can use with your spouse, children, or significant others in your life. I have not introduced this yet to my family; however, both of my adult children have experienced significant change this last year in their vocation and education. I reckon both would benefit greatly from doing an After-Action-Review to see the steps they took, so they are better equipped for the next big change in their lives.
I discovered the Breakthrough Circle in the book Breakthroughs Are Everywhere: A Guide to Making Big Shifts in Your Life and Work by Curtis Carnes. The author is a passionate Jesus follower. The book references faith, but is not a distinctly Christian book. It is written for a secular audience, specifically leaders in the marketplace.
*You might remember that the “Learning Circle” originated with Michael Breen in his work with the “Order of Mission” and 3DM. Mike created a series of shapes to make the discipleship journey more accessible to younger generations. Curtis Carnes received permission from Mike to use and adapt this diagram to the Breakthrough Circle.
I found Curtis’s story of his personal breakthrough compelling. The Breakthrough Circle makes a significant contribution to understanding how the process of personal change works. Below, I want to offer some helpful questions to engage a person in their discipleship journey.
Questions to help a new disciple process the Breakthrough Circle:
What change would you like to see in your spiritual life?
What is the motivating force?
How committed are you?
Who do you know that can support you?
What is the next step you need to take to solidify the change?
One of the most difficult aspects for me, as someone who observes, engages in the challenging task of exploring discipleship methods, and evaluates small group resources, is identifying approaches that are straightforward and easily replicable.
In the past, I have discussed various methods. You can check out my insights on John Wesley’s Holiness Groups, which serve as a prime example. However, there are now other methods recognized for their simplicity and reproducibility, including Discovery Bible Studies, Life Transformation Groups, and Three-Thirds Groups, among others.
What I often find is that when I try to explain disciple-making methods as ‘simple’ and ‘reproducible,’ people may not fully understand the essence or significance of these terms. In Christian church culture, we frequently use language as if everyone comprehends its meaning, but the truth is, we often do not! My goal with this blog is to clarify the terms ‘simple’ and ‘reproducible’ so that when you encounter these phrases again, they won’t just drift away into oblivion.
Why is it crucial to perceive disciple-making as ‘simple’ and ‘reproducible’?
That’s an excellent question!
Despite our sophistication in the West, we have a tendency to complicate what is intended to be straightforward. I recall my college days when I got involved in one-on-one discipleship. My mother, a loving, patient, and mature follower of Jesus, listened to my encouragement for her to participate in the curriculum I was studying, as I had been taught that this was the essence of discipleship. Rather than dismissing me with condescending remarks, she agreed and completed the course. Did this enhance her discipleship? Perhaps! Did the material make her a more obedient disciple? Possibly! What I experienced over the 26 years of my life was a remarkable opportunity and privilege to witness my mother live out her faith—up close and personal. That is true discipleship. Incidentally, I would say the same about my father. Ultimately, discipleship is more about what is caught than what is taught. That is the biblical ideal.
The importance of understanding discipleship as ‘simple’ and ‘reproducible’ cannot be overstated. The term “reproducible” refers to making a connection with Jesus available to every person you encounter. This way, they can share the gift with the next generation of disciples, and the cycle continues…
What do I mean by simple?
Years ago, I upgraded my mountain bike to disc brakes. At first, the thought of changing the brake pads on the back wheel seemed daunting. However, when I broke it down into manageable tasks, it turned out to be quite straightforward. With the help of YouTube, I followed step-by-step instructions. It’s a task I’ve repeated many times; it’s a process that can be done over and over again.
Discipleship is similar. It is simple enough to be repeated endlessly unless we complicate it with unnecessary layers that require a specific level of intellect, education, or rigor that only a few possess. Sometimes, it feels like certain discipleship methods demand a college degree as a prerequisite.
When you hear the word simple, what image or definition comes to mind? The word that springs to my mind is simplistic. However, Jesus’s approach was not simplistic – “Take up your cross and follow Me!” How’s that for simplicity? He asks everything from us!
What do I mean by reproducible?
I was reflecting on my educational journey with my wife, Gina. The best gift I gave her was completing my doctorate before we got married. I also continued my studies from undergrad to seminary to D.Min. without much of a pause. I mention this because my path is NOT something that can be easily replicated. Not many people I know have done that. I doubt you have either. Honestly, I wonder how I managed it. This serves as a prime example of what should not be set as a standard for others.
By reproducible, I mean it’s something that everyone, or at least nearly everyone, can achieve. When I think about how challenging my educational journey was, I feel exhausted. When you think about most discipleship pathways, what feelings does it stir? A straightforward and easily replicable discipleship pathway should inspire confidence that can be expressed as: “I believe I can achieve that.”
When the pathway is replicable, it leads to the growth and multiplication of more and better disciples as a lasting outcome. The difficulty arises when someone who has been conditioned by traditional methods of disciple-making encounters this new approach. They may dismiss it as overly simplistic, lacking depth, or not checking all the boxes!
In previous blogs, I have shared a very straightforward and replicable discipleship pathway. In the book As You Go: Make Disciples by my friend Colin Noyes, it effectively defines what a disciple is, outlines the essential components of a disciple-making pathway, and invites you, the reader, to engage in the discussion. I highly recommend it!
How happy are you with your discipleship pathway?
I’m of the mindset that I can always find ways to improve and grow my capacity to make disciples. However, you might be satisfied with the fruit you are bearing for the Kingdom. If you resonate with any of the questions, take them to heart and build on what you are already doing.
5 questions to help you reflect on your discipleship pathway:
What is working with your discipleship pathway?
What is NOT working?
What aspects are missing?
What steps are unnecessary?
What changes could you make to get better results?
It takes me back to the conversation with my mom. Could she describe the discipleship pathway she followed and was helping others follow? I am not certain she could, but she did all the things a Jesus follower lives out – making disciples as she went about her daily activities. That is the essence of what Jesus taught His disciples, which should give us pause to reflect on the way we are helping others follow Jesus.
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