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?
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
