An Introduction to the 5-Fold Apostolic Grace

For the month of January, we will be diving into the Apostolic grace here on the blog!

Apostolic Grace matures you in HEALTH so you are BUILT UP and SENT OUT to your fullest destiny!

Apostle (from Apostello): To send someone to the place they’ve been appointed. In the Bible, apostolic grace is given to PROTECT the Order and Health of the Body, to BUILD UP people or churches to walk in their destined calling, and to SEND people to their place in the Kingdom of God.

Apostolic Anointing: To bring people and places into health and maturity so they

experience vitality and longevity in their calling.

There are 3 Defining Marks of Apostolic Grace:

1. “Builder”: You help people and places grow up into maturity.

   
   

   “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the

   grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder.” 1 Corinthians 3:9-10

   
   

2. “Innovator” & “Pioneer”: You find what is lacking and how it can be filled, often by going first.

   
   

   “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now

   it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and

   streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19

   
   

3. “Sender”: Your greatest joy is not to ‘retain’ people but to release them to run.

   
   

   “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my

   witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

   Acts 1:8

   
   

Indicators that you are strong in Apostolic grace:

• You build people in both integrity & influence and send them to thrive in both.

• You have a sense to ‘see’ potential in people before they see it in themselves.

• You aren’t motivated by a title or recognition, but take satisfaction in things working as intended. (When it is healthy, you’re happy!)

• You don’t do everything yourself. You put people to work, not merely delegating, but elevating their full potential.

• You carry great influence and are sought to help people or organizations grow.

• You regularly see the next step needed, including roadblocks & accelerators to reaching the goal.

• You don’t like fads or shortcuts, but greatly prefer doing the fundamental things well with consistency over time.

• You love input from contributors, but don’t make space for complainers. You are not intimidated by people disagreeing with you. You simply want the team to win.

What happens where we lack apostolic grace in our churches and ministries?

Burnout: The work grows slow, sideways, or stagnant; discouragement, fear, and cynicism set in where faith once led. We give up.

Blow Up: Leaders lack health in character or competence and stray from their call. Their charisma places them in rooms that their character cannot keep them.

4 Warnings for Highly Apostolic People:

1. Bulldozing and/or a poor bedside manner

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should

restore that person gently.” Galatians 6:1

If you place progress before people, you will carry a vision that breeds division. And if you aren’t careful, you will find the floors of the cathedrals you’ve built stained with the blood of those you stepped on along the way.

2. Compassion Fatigue

You love people, you see needs, and you desperately want to offer help. But it is SO important that you remember that JESUS is the hope of the world. You are the BRANCH that has been called to abide in the Vine. Be intentional to protect your soul and only say “Yes” to the places HE is calling you.

3. Lack of Longevity or Follow Through

Many apostolic leaders are entrepreneurial by nature. They are self-starters with big dreams. It can be all too easy for these leaders to see fruit in a new field and misunderstand the slowness of fruit in their own. Paul said, “you’ve had many teachers, but not many FATHERS.” Apostolic leaders are fathers and mothers who make sure to stay in the mud and mess of what they’ve birthed until it is experiencing the maturity God intended.

4. Missing the Launch Point

“When” to send sons and daughters is just as important as sending them. If you are apostolic, be cautious of the dual pitfalls of either sending a leader before they are ready, or holding onto them too long. Just as you can’t push a parachuter out of a plane at 150 feet above the ground, you also cannot send them once the flight is over. One will be dead; the other will be paralyzed with the regret of having never felt the wind on their face.

1. Are you strong in the five-fold Apostolic Grace?

2. What from the above makes you think "oh, that's me!"?

3. How are you currently bringing your gift to your church or ministry? Or how would you like to do it?

Additional Resources on the 5-fold: Episodes 4 and 5 of The Live Worthy Podcast. Don't know how to access the podcast? Check out our guide!

-Compiled by Niki Hathorn from teachings by Pastor Chuck Ammons