The Apostolic Ministry Structure
by Jonas Clark
There is a place for every believer to be fully activated in
ministry in the apostolic structure of the church.
As you stand peering at a High Rise building under construction you
can see that massive metal framework climbing into the blue skies
above. Soon that towering skeleton will disappear from sight as it
is covered by block, plaster, paint, windows and decorative stone.
It’s not the decorum that gives strength to the building but the
unseen framework.
APOSTOLIC DESIGN
A building is something assembled with various components that are
held together by a framework. That framework is the supporting
structure of the building. Just like a High Rise building has a
framework that provides its strength, so too does the Church have a
structure that provides its strength. We are going to call the
churches framework the apostolic structure or design.
As we study the apostolic design of the church we will discover the
use of certain reoccurring words that offer definition and meaning
such as, foundation, structure, edify, strength and build.
It is no coincidence that our Lord was born into a carpenter’s
family and learned the skills and the trade of a carpenter. Since
the natural is often a reflection of the spiritual we can learn some
interesting truths. Jesus is a builder. In fact, Jesus is still
building His Church. He said, “I will build my church and the gates
of hell shall not prevail” (Matthew 16:18). Since Jesus is the
Master Builder and we are His workforce (disciples), we must learn
how to cooperate with His construction ministry. There are many
scriptures that teach us about the apostolic design and how we fit
into it such as:
• We are lively stones (components) of His Church.
“To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men,
but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are
built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter
2:4-5 emphasis added).
• When fitly joined together we provide something that produces
increase. All believers are lively stones set apart to build what
Jesus is building.
“From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by
that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working
in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the
edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16 emphasis added).
FOUNDATION
Not only is Jesus the architect of His Church, He is the very
foundation. He is the Chief Corner Stone by which every lively stone
must be aligned. Scripture says,
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but
fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ
himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly
framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye
also are builded together for an habitation of God through the
Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)
CORNERSTONE
In the construction process, the purpose of a cornerstone is for a
sure alignment. It would be dreadful to work on a High Rise building
only to discover that it leans like the bell tower of the Cathedral
in Pisa. Just like a cornerstone, every lively stone must be cut and
chiseled into shape for proper alignment inside Jesus’ apostolic
structure.
In the apostolic design, Jesus has provided two assistants in the
foundation forming process referred to as apostles and prophets. To
come into the apostolic structure therefore requires believers to
submit to the fitting and chiseling of these two ascension gift
assistants.
APOSTOLIC ALIGNMENT
Oftentimes, proper alignment to the cornerstone requires some
cutting and chiseling in the lives of believers before the building
process can begin. While the stones are lively they might not have a
perfect alignment. Certain hindrances may need to be torn down, such
as self-righteousness, pride, legalism, hypocrisy, doctrinal error,
ignorance, and even rebellion. Sometimes even deliverance must take
place. All are in preparation for entrance into His apostolic
design.
When a building is structured properly the interrelated parts that
are galvanized together provide an amazing strength to the entire
building. The pattern of the apostolic is no different, when all the
essential parts are in the right place there is strength. That
strength readies the Church for the habitation of the Spirit of God.
Therefore it is vitally important to see Jesus’ apostolic design and
our part as lively components.
DESTRUCTION INSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION
Many English words define the definition of structure. Let’s look at
three interesting English words destruction, instruction and
construction. All three of these words will help us enter God’s
apostolic design.
1. De- Structure (Destruction)
Sometimes things have to be destructed before they can be
constructed.
2. In-Structure (Instruction)
Instruction must be received before one can be part of the
construction.
3. Con- Structure (Construction)
Construction is what every born again believer is called to be
doing.
DESTRUCTION
Oftentimes, before we can enter the apostolic design of the local
church, destruction is the first step in the construction process.
Words associated with destruction are: demolish, dismantle, tear
down and remove. During the destruction phase there is a dismantling
of vain religious traditions or inadequate understanding of
Scripture. Some of the enemies of the apostolic structure that
require destruction include:
Religion: Religion is an enemy of the apostolic because it is
legalistic, self-righteous and hypocritical. Jesus, the builder of
the church pronounced many woes against the religious spirit
(Matthew 23). I wrote about this extensively in my book
30 Pieces of Silver.
My Ministry Syndrome: Those infected by the My-Ministry Syndrome
only come to church to get something to advance their own
ministries. This condition does not fit in the apostolic structure
because it seeks to build its own ministry outside the local church.
Jesus wants to use everybody in ministry but that ministry is never
disconnected from the local church. Jesus, therefore, is building
His Church with many members and not the lone ranger, Rambo’s
ministry.
Bless-Me-Only: Many believers come to church only to be blessed.
Yes, blessing takes place in an apostolic church, but it is only the
beginning. After blessing comes equipping and training for the work
of ministry. An apostolic design will refuse to let you
slip into a consumerism or spectator mindset.
Learn more about apostolic
structure in
THE APOSTOLIC
MINISTRY EQUIPPING KIT
APOSTOLIC INSTRUCTION
After destruction is instruction. Words associated with instruction
include: advise, counsel, coach, educate, explain, give lessons,
guide, inform, school, teach, tutor and train.
As we receive apostolic instruction we become candidates to be
placed inside the apostolic structure. This training enables us to
become actively involved by equipping us for works of service. After
you are trained you can become part of the construction process, the
edifying (building) of the local church.
When instruction is not received, however, it diminishes the
effectiveness and the strength of the apostolic design and makes it
impossible to become fitly framed together. If an essential part is
left vacant and unoccupied it is not supplying strength to the
structure. Scripture says, “How can two walk together unless they
agree?” A lack of agreement disqualifies one from becoming an
effective joint that supplies and places them outside the structure.
For instruction to take place requires submission and a hungry
heart. Scripture says,
“Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know
understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of
my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart
retain my words: keep my commandments, and live” (Proverbs 4:1-4).
APOSTOLIC CONSTRUCTION
Now that we have progressed through the destruction and received
instruction we can enter the realm of construction. Words associated
with construction are: assemble, form, compose, engineer, fashion,
fabricate, build up, frame, fit together, edify and strengthen.
When one has come into the apostolic structure of the local church
their individual gifts and specific callings are activated. All our
gifts and talents are given by God for the edifying of the local
church with its mission to disciple believers and fulfill the Great
Commission. Scripture confirms that all have a role to play in the
success and building of the church,
“From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by
that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working
in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the
edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).
The purpose for the apostolic framework is to launch every believer
into the work of ministry. This structure of ministry is the
apostolic design that you have learned throughout. The
quickest way to enter the ministry is by submitting your gifts and
talents to the leadership of your church and making yourself
available for service.
Every believer that submits to instruction fits in the apostolic
framework.
There is room in the house for every gift, talent, calling and
grace. Envision your individual calling added to the success of our
corporate calling as an apostolic church.
THE APOSTOLIC STRUCTURE
Apostolic structure consist of the following that we will discuss at
another time.
1. The Set-man
2. The Presbytery Team
3. In House Ministry Teams
4. Outreach Teams and Metron (small) Groups
5. The Local Church Equipping Center
APERCU
A building is something assembled with various components that are
held together by a framework.
As we study the apostolic design of the church we will discover the
use of certain reoccurring words that offer definition and meaning
such as, foundation, structure, edify, strength and build.
All believers are lively stones set apart to build what Jesus is
building.
In the construction process, the purpose of a cornerstone is for a
sure alignment.
In the apostolic design, Jesus has provided two assistants in the
foundation forming process referred to as apostles and prophets.
To come into apostolic structure believers should submit to the
cutting and the chiseling of apostles and prophets.
Three words help us enter God’s apostolic design, de-structure
(destruction), in-structure (instruction), con-structure
(construction).
As we receive apostolic instruction we become candidates to be
placed inside the apostolic structure. This training enables us to
become actively involved by equipping us for works of service.
The purpose of apostolic structure is to launch every believer into
the work of ministry.
© by Jonas Clark
For dynamic teaching materials go to
apostolic
prophetic resources.
p.s.
Don’t forget about
The Voice magazine, a Christian magazine written for hungry believers like you and read in all 50 States and
over 61 nations.
More articles
|
