2014 | Release the A.P.E.

How To Identify A Prophet

4 responses
March 20, 2014

Alexia Salvatierra is a prophet in our midst

This is a guest post by Rev. Alexia Salvatierra. She is currently the Special Assistant to the Bishop for Welcoming Congregations for the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She also serves as a consultant to many major organizations and just released a new book, “Faith-Rooted Organizing. See her full bio, and book her to speak, train, or consult your group here.

What is a prophet? For many evangelicals, the calling/category of prophet is more confusing and controversial than apostle or evangelist. Some believe that the Old Testament prophets’ focus on communal repentance for culturally common sins (idolatry, adultery, social injustice) has been replaced from the New Testament forward by prophets who speak particular divine messages to individuals about the consequences of specific choices.

Urban Church Planting Plantations

2 responses
March 19, 2014

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I just read this chilling article by Christina Cleveland and we need to listen to her as we plant. I am curious about your thoughts for those of you who are starting and multiplying churches – especially in urban areas.

I don’t want to be an unhelpful, ignorant, or overbearing white guy, so listening to voices like this is helpful for me. Furthermore we are a body of christ in mission and we need to remember that – especially as we start.

The Best Quote St. Francis Never Said

2 responses
March 18, 2014

Knight of St. Francis – Assisi

This is a guest post by Jason Gaboury. He is the Regional Director of New York/New Jersey with InterVarsity. He directs and oversees the work of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship to undergraduates in that massive area!

The yellow edged paper on Mom’s desk had the words printed in elegant script. “Preach the gospel at all times, when necessary use words.” A thin script underneath identified St. Francis of Assisi.

The script, the hand, even the composition of the paper suggested a scriptorium, monks copying aphoristic sayings of the saints by candlelight.

More than two decades later I still think of this quote when I remember my mom. The phrase captured a way of being that extended beyond the pulpit and pastor’s desk of her small parish church. It propelled her into Habitat building projects, compelled her to visit the imprisoned, and made her a companion to the suffering.

Imagine my surprise to learn, after mom’s death, that this quote was something St. Francis never said. Often attributed to St. Francis, the quote above (along with several variants) doesn’t appear in print before the 1990s.

How To Start A Ministry At Work

3 responses
March 17, 2014

Let’s be praying for ministry to start in the work place all around the world!

This is a guest post by Carolyn Chow. She wants to give you 5 principles to help you create a vibrant faith community in the workplace.

As a 23-year recent grad, I feel that I have already found my calling – I am a minister. My job title does not actually say “minister”, but The Lord has made it abundantly clear that I am called to love and minister wherever I am while doing what I love, currently unleashing my career in the unlikely place of an advertising agency.

How to Empower Apostolic Leaders

3 responses
March 13, 2014

Young apostolic leaders have a spark that needs to be stoked into full-on flame!

[Check out “How to Identify an Apostolic Leader“]

By Eric Rafferty

When we look around the landscape of the church something is missing. Far too often, apostolic leaders are exiled instead of empowered, or when they do try new things, they fail and fall into isolation. What does it look like to empower apostolic leaders into fruitful maturity? Here are five things that every leader can do to empower young apostolic leaders (whether you are personally gifted for apostolic ministry or not!)

How to Empower & Release an Evangelistic Leader

no responses
March 12, 2014

Blue Balloon

By Tyler Allred

Beau wrote a great post helping us understand how to identify an evangelist in our midst.

Now, I want to talk about how we can effectively empower and release those with the gift of evangelism in our ministries.

Many Christians I know assume that “everyone is supposed to do evangelism” (even though most still don’t!). Those with the “gift” of evangelism (like the rest of the gifts) are there “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). They are given to lead everyone else into the regular practice of sharing the good news of our King Jesus and compelling others to follow Him as Lord.

Here are five reflections on how to empower and release those you’ve identified with the evangelistic gift.

APE Postcard

one response
March 11, 2014

Thought I would share this postcard with you and ask you to share it around. If you enjoy this blog, think about posting this on a FB timeline or a blog/website. Maybe even email it out to a few friends. I am even thinking about printing a few out to give to people I come across that would love this blog. I had this made for an ebook insert and I think it looks great and captures what we want to be about in this space. So…calling all the evangelists…share away 🙂

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How To Identify An Apostolic Leader

31 responses
March 9, 2014

many things may be blooming in your ministry, but apostolic leaders will lead you to the edge to get those next few buds.

Ministry may be blooming, but apostolic leaders are focused on the edge; where things haven’t blossomed yet.

[Also check out “How to Identify and Evangelist in Your Ministry“]

By Jon Hietbrink

For most of my life in the church, “apostle” has been something of a dirty word.

Either because it’s assumed to be an expired gift, or because we’ve so often seen it abused, most of us (even those of us who are gifted as apostolic leaders!) struggle with the idea of calling something “apostolic” and have difficulty finding the right language to identify this gift in its emerging forms. Toward that end, here are five key indicators that might evidence an apostolic gift at work in you or your community, and some reflection questions to help you identify the emerging apostolic leaders in your midst!

Church Planter Podcast

no responses
March 8, 2014

mza_6838981982579193964.170x170-75 I had the privilege of doing an hour podcast a few weeks ago with Church Planter Podcast. I was able to share about our InterVarsity work, Release the APE, and my concerns with evangelism in the church today. It was fun to kick around a few thoughts with them. Already, I have had one church planter contact me about partnering to reach a new campus in LA together. Pretty cool.

So if you want to hear what I had to say, or would like to subscribe to this weekly podcast, you can do so below.

Fully Released: Imagine Women Completely Empowered

no responses
March 6, 2014

This is a guest post by Rob Dixon. He serves as the Surf and Turf Divisional Director and lives in Clovis, CA. He’s married to Amy and together they are raising Josh, Lucy, Grace and Lily. In his spare time, you’ll either find Rob out running or in a book. He’ll be starting a DMiss program through Fuller Seminary in March. Rob blogs regularly on issues related to male privilege at challengingtertullian.com

I love the idea of releasing A.P.E.s into the world.

I also love the idea of releasing she-A.P.E.s into the world. In fact, I love most the thought of empowering apostles, prophets and evangelists of both genders to partner side-by-side in advancing God’s mission in the word.