The Times They Are a Changin'

I realize the office of an apostle is misunderstood or flatly rejected by much of the church. Jesus gave the gift to the body of Christ, but much of the church has failed to open it. Denominationalism, in many cases, has reinforced the splintering of the body, and has replaced the maturing unity that the apostle is called to contribute to within the fullness of the fivefold ministry (Eph 4:11-16). But times, they are a changin’. The prophetic ministry is now sounding an ever persistent alarm both within and outside the church to hear what the Spirit is saying concerning the apostolic office. Prophets of God are breaking up the fallow ground and planting seed that will bring forth the much needed acknowledgment and acceptance of the apostle as a resource to the church.

Practically speaking, this means that many apostolic ministries are made to function outside the gates of the city for which they are called to be an integral part of. I have talked to other apostolic ministries and this seems to be a common occurrence with regards to functioning within a local church body. We are held at bay or allowed very little space, if any, in which to minister. This is why I feel some parachurch ministries are apostolic ministries which have found it more effective to “carry out their mission usually independent of church oversight.” Sometimes, an apostle has to do what an apostle has to do, not out of rebellion, but in order that the job get done. If the reformer’s message won’t be heard within the church, their thesis will certainly be posted on its doors.