Are you at a place of your spiritual development where you can describe what a healthy church looks like?
If God, asked you to build a healthy church where would you start?
Evolution of The Church
There’s no new wine until there’s a new wineskin.
A definition of Apostolic Ministry:
Sent ones with kingdom perspectives and gifting to mother (evangelize), father (disciple) and govern (making sure that the local church is self governed yet accountable, producing a strong jurisdictional presence in its area.)
I. The Fifth Tradition… Apostolic Succession is a Reality!
The following information is from the first draft of John Noble’s
upcoming book called “The Shaking.” (pgs.7,28,29,99)
First, the Sacramental tradition, expressed primarily through the Catholic Church, The Eucharist as its focus with its strengths in devotion, worship and holiness. The altar is a central feature and pastor or priest plays key role. This produces passivity and bolsters the dependence on an up-front one-man (with the emphasis on one-man) ministry.
Second, the Reformation tradition, which was the outcome of the first major shaking they had experienced for centuries, focused attention on the Bible once again. Strengths were preaching, exposition, and quest for truth. Weaknesses, the trinity became the Father, Son, and Holy Scriptures. Which left the church and its practices irrelevant to the people she sought to reach.
Third, the Missionary tradition, was a natural progression of the reformation, as true understood had to be proclaimed. Herald as the “Great Awakening”, its task was fulfilling the great commission. Its strength was zeal for evangelism. Weaknesses, this became marginalized by the church.
Fourth, the Charismatic tradition, which began with Pentecostal outpouring at the beginning of the twentieth century and was advanced through renewal movements during the sixties to this present time. This has reshaped the church. The main focus, the Holy Spirit. Also, the restoration of prophecy and healing. The prophet has played a key role.
Now, the time is right for a full-blooded Apostolic tradition to appear, which will take the best elements of the other four and bind them together to make a final, strong witness to Christ’s character and power in all the earth.
Charismatic Values vs Apostolic Values
Charismatic Values | Apostolic Values | |
1. | Gift centered / follows signs | One-dimensional (blue) |
2. | Upward, inward | Upward, inward, outward |
3. | Relates to believers | Gift centered/follows signs |
4. | Local, national, and international | Relates to believers and unbelievers |
5. | Church-based/our movement | Multi-dimensional (rainbow) |
A. Local – trans-local optional | A. multi-gift | |
B. part counsel | B. whole counsel | |
6. | Visitation / refreshing based / church | Revival based/whole society |
7. | One leader / one fold | 5 fold/team ministry |
8. | Isolationist/competitive/independent | Relational/interdependent |
A. Unity optional | A. Unity necessity | |
9. | Kingdom-based/other movements | Experience-based/subjective |
10. | A church/exclusive “tribe” | The church/inclusive “nation” |
11. | Gift centered/follows signs | Kingdom reproduction |
12. | Church planting optional | Plants churched/Apostolic network mother, father with spiritual children |
13. | One generational/teenager | Transgenerational |
14. | Temporary/transitory | Built to last |
15. | Purpose-driven with experience | We’re here for other |
16. | Self-governed with accountability | Others Centers |
17. | What’s in it for me | Self-centered/ our movement |
18. | Toleration of differences | Celebration of differences |
19. | Mono-cultural | Contextualizes becomes all things to all so some may be saved |
20. | Spiritual | Spirtual/organizational/finacial |
21. | Declares | Build |
22. | Franchise reproduction | Self-governed |