Ministry Apostle: Equipping Others Beyond the Church Walls

Ministry in a traditional context is often confined within the four walls of a church building. However, the Bible paints a far broader picture of God's call, one that extends into the marketplace, the community, and the very fabric of society. This is the realm of "ministrypreneurship," where individuals, empowered by apostolic grace, build kingdom-focused ventures that impact lives beyond the Sunday sermon.

This isn't just about starting a ministry; it's about leveraging your God-given gifts, particularly the apostolic gift, to establish and expand God's kingdom wherever you are. Let's explore three key sides of this calling:

1. The Apostolic Mandate: Establishing and Equipping within your sphere of influence.

The mininstry apostle's role isn't limited to planting churches. It involves establishing order, training leaders, and equipping believers for their own ministries using a business model. Think of Paul, who, while planting churches, also worked as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). His trade wasn't separate from his ministry; it was integrated. He used his skills to support himself and create opportunities for discipleship.

• Scriptural Insight: Ephesians 4:11-12 highlights the apostolic role in "equipping the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." This equipping isn't just for church leaders; it's for every believer, empowering them to be ministers in their sphere of influence.

• Ministerial Application: Identify your professional skills and consider how they can be used to equip others. This could mean creating training programs, consulting services, or developing resources that empower people in their careers or personal lives. For example, a ministry consulting business with an apostolic gift could create training programs that integrate ministerial/biblical business principles, helping other Christian leaders to build their ministry for the glory of God.

• Call to Action: Prayerfully consider your skills and how they can be used to equip others in your area of influence. Develop a plan to share this knowledge, whether through workshops, online courses, or one-on-one mentoring.

2. Building Kingdom Structures: Creating Platforms for Transformation.

Apostles are builders. They establish structures that facilitate the spread of the Gospel and the manifestation of God's kingdom. This can involve creating for-profit or non-profit programs, or social enterprises that address real-world needs while reflecting kingdom values.

• Biblical Example: Lydia, a "seller of purple cloth" (Acts 16:14-15), used her business as a platform to host the early church, demonstrating how commerce can be a vehicle for ministry.

• Ministerial Application: Look for opportunities to create ministry that solve problems and serve your community. This could involve providing affordable housing, creating jobs for marginalised individuals, or developing products and services that promote health and well-being. The apostolic gifting allows for the vision and implementation of large-scale projects that bring God's kingdom into tangible form.

• Call to Action: Identify a need in your community and brainstorm ministry ideas that address it. Research and develop a business plan that integrates your faith and values, and seek God’s guidance in the process.

3. Strategic Expansion: Reaching New Territories and Demographics.

Apostles are pioneers. They venture into new territories, both geographically and culturally, to plant seeds of the gospel. In the ministerial context, this means reaching demographics and communities that are often overlooked by traditional church models.

• Scriptural Insight: Romans 15:20 speaks of Paul's ambition to "preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation." This pioneering spirit is essential for reaching new audiences.

• Ministerial Application: Consider creating a ministry as a business that caters to specific demographics, such as young professionals, artists, or entrepreneurs. This could involve developing co-working spaces, creative agencies, or online platforms that connect people with shared interests and values. Use modern technologies to reach people in new ways.

• Call to Action: Identify a demographic or community that you feel called to reach. Research their needs and interests, and develop a business or ministry model that resonates with them.

Summary:

Ministerial apostles is an expression of apostolic calling, extending the reach of God's kingdom beyond the traditional church setting. By leveraging our skills, building kingdom-focused structures, and strategically expanding into new territories, we can become catalysts for transformation in the marketplace and beyond. The apostolic gifting allows for the creation and implementation of ventures that build God's kingdom in a tangible way. Through equipping, establishing, and expanding, we can fulfill our calling to be apostles in the 21st century.