APOSTLES: What do we do with them?

Ephesians 4:11 speaks of the five-fold ministries: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Many of us are familiar with the functions of the other ministries, however, confusion seems to surround the role of the apostle. Recently, new emphasis has been placed on this ministry.

As with any other gift God gives us, the possibility exists for misuse. My husband and I plan to give our oldest daughter a computer for high school graduation. The value of the computer is not dependent on Leslee’s knowledge or ability to operate it. It is a good gift. Nonetheless, her expertise could greatly enhance the value the gift brings to her. I would be very surprised if she refused the gift because she thought it too difficult to learn the programs she needed or because she had seen people use computers for inappropriate reasons. Of course not! She will learn its functions and set guidelines for everyone who uses her machine.

That’s why I am excited to see articles like “The Calling of a Redemptive Mess-Maker” (page 4) and “The Emerging Apostolic Dimension” (page 6). You may not agree with everything in these articles, but hopefully they will challenge you to get your Bible and study this ministry for yourself. Look at the lives of Paul, the Twelve Apostles, Jesus, and other less-known apostles. What were their roles?

Throughout the New Testament more emphasis is given to the ministry of apostles and their part in building the Church than is given to pastors. Yet, today the emphasis within the Church has been on the pastor. Could this be why so many pastors are burned out? Are they trying to function in areas in which they are not gifted? An apostle usually begins a ministry or a church, then hands it over to someone else to nurture or to shepherd, while maintaining oversight. Unfortunately we often have pastors and apostles trying to do both. Let’s reexamine how these ministries function.

Speaking of new ministries, check out XPK (page 8) to see how the Lord is raising up a young pastor to minister to a group of teens who, though highly visible, have been sadly neglected.

Finally, a story close to my heart. International Ministries Director Paul Canfield and his dedicated wife, Vivian, sacrificially brought over from Mexico a lovely young woman with the hopes of improving her ability to walk. Throughout her weeks of evaluations and testing, Lenny Bañuelos’s sweet spirit and determination stole our hearts here in Des Moines. We had high hopes of sending her back to Mexico limp-free and pain-free. However, like Lenny’s grandmother, Angelita, says, “We don’t always know the plan of God.” As you read this story of one so young who displays great faith and trust in a God we don’t always understand (page 12), remember to pray for Lenny as well as others in our Open Bible family around the world.

Andrea Johnson,
Managing Editor