You are an important piece in the mission.
By Brad Brisco
In regards to the cultural challenges that the church in America faces today, I am often asked, “What does the church need to do differently? What is the appropriate response to the rapidly changing culture? What is the first step the church should take towards having a real influence in the community?
[This is part of a series called “What is the difference between an evangelist and an apostle?” check out the other posts here]
In response to my post about the difference between and apostle and evangelist, Bob Mullins had this to say,
So then an apostle starts new things… with what? Paul went to new territories & started churches amongst pagans…. so how did they become followers of Jesus if not by hearing the Gospel evangelistically from Paul ? I think you have these two gifts confused. An Evangelist causes the church to grow out…by winning people to Christ…but lack the ability to mature them….the apostle establishes them and puts authority & leadership in place that enables them (now the church) to grow up….apostles usually operate in all of the five-fold ministries mentioned in Eph 4.
I think Bob brings up a great point here and I agree with much of what he says, but I have a few things I would push back on.
This is an old post from 2008, but someone forwarded it to me and it has great insights into the forgotten roles: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist.
Alan Hirsch posted this in Christianity Today, asking
“Where have all the APE’s gone?”
Who would’ve thought…many of us are here now!
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I came across this video recap of the San Diego State InterVarsity ministry that I was part of and led from 2005-2012. They are doing great and I am so thankful for the leaders that took over for me and are kicking butt.
As an apostolic leader one of my biggest fears is that what I work on with God won’t burst foreword after I am gone. An apostolic leader always wants things to do better when they leave and have leaders that are better than them taking over.
Well, I think alot of things are better at San Diego State now that I have left. There is some great creativity happening and this video is one example. I am thankful for some of the new things they are doing and the new leadership that is emerging.
Enjoy just like I did!
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Here is a cool video that James Choung did with “Explore God” on hearing God.
We are giving away 5 copies of “Miracle Work” by Jordan Seng this week!
I am really excited to give this book away to you all. I was just at IVP two weeks ago right after this book released and they generously offered me 5 COPIES TO GIVE AWAY to you.
I love this book so far because it is such a power faith builder for the every day person to do miracles in Jesus name. I think Jordan Seng has excellent stories, theology and handles for all of us to step into the supernatural life like Jesus commanded.
He comes across very genuine, honest and down to earth and that is hard to do in a book like this.
For anyone that wants to learn more about the supernatural or take a step further, this is a MUST READ! I will give this book to many on my own dime.
What are you sharing with the world?
By Beau Crosetto
There is a huge debate in our culture about what is the ”full gospel” and as an evangelist this is very important to me because I want to communicate to people very well what God’s good news is.
I am very concerned with the way that we work to reduce and simplify the gospel, compartmentalizing into our theological camp. Some of us fight for the language of the Kingdom and focus on Jesus and the gospels. Others of us fight for the atonement stating the gospel is only and exclusively penal substitution. We argue from Paul’s letters and hammer the cross. Others are sick of the whole ordeal and are reverting back to the peaceful language of shalom found in the Old Testament.
But what if the gospel is all three ideas? Shalom, The Kingdom, and Atonement.
By James Choung
I prayed a stupid prayer a year ago.
As I was looking for a new role in campus ministry, I asked for something that would require me to exercise my faith muscles. And when we were starting our church, I asked God to build something that wouldn’t be credited to the talents of the people in the room. I wanted God to do something that could only be explained by his presence with us, that would be impossible to do without God.
This is a guest post by Don Bennett. He has spent the past 12 years serving as a Pastor in different roles. Currently he serves as an Associate Pastor at the Meeting House (Oakville – Main Site), a Multi Site Church throughout Southern Ontario. His passion is to invest in people and engage in conversation.
One key thing I have learnt in my time in ministry is the importance for an evangelist to always have a discipleship pathway in mind for anyone they are connecting with. This comes from my journey as well. I Responded to a great gospel message on Good Friday 1992 and was on a high. The Pastor handed me a bible and affirmed my decision. After reading from page one for a few days I quickly realized I had no idea about what to do with this book and the stories I was reading. How does any of this relate to a decision to stand up and receive Jesus? I went on to listen to the teaching, sing in worship services, but not know what to do next. Then I stumbled away for years until I hit rock bottom and reached out to ask questions.
There are tons of reactions after the verdict came down saturday night. You may be wondering how you should be responding, or how to help those in your ministry that are responding in various ways.
I know I responded with a tweet like this