Apostolic teams have both local and translocal responsibilities in the Kingdom of God. In the ministry of the apostle Paul, we find him spending extended time in one location in order to facilitate the purpose of God (he was in Ephesus for three years—Acts 20:31), and we find him traveling and writing letters to churches in distant places.
In this article, I want to present practical ways that apostolic teams serve local leaders and local churches. I am presupposing that there is a covenantal relationship between the translocal apostolic team and the leadership of the local church. If this is not in place, then the remainder of this article is invalidated.
Paul usually begins his letters by reminding the churches that he is praying for them. In Galatians 4 he reminds them that he labors in prayer and service until Christ is formed in them. He had a daily concern for churches and their leaders. In Ephesians he is praying that the church there may come into full expression of Christ their Head. It is at the place of prayer and intercession that apostolic ministry begins!
In Romans 1:11 Paul declares: “For I long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established…” Interesting here that he states the church will be established through charismatic gifts and not just by the lofty doctrine he includes in the middle chapters of the Epistle! It will take the Spirit and the Word to establish the local church.
Paul later reminded his spiritual son, Timothy, that he must not ignore the spiritual (charisma) within him which was bestowed (imparted) on him through the laying on of the hands of the presbytery and of Paul (1 Timothy 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6). In 2 Thessalonians 2:8, we learn that Paul not only imparted spiritual gifts to leaders, he also imparted his very life.
Apostolic teams provide needed counsel, affirmation, and encouragement to local leaders and local churches. This includes the sharing of insights and strategies for more effective ministry and for problem-solving. Often confirmation and even direction are released into churches through this covenantal consultation.
It is always beneficial to have periodic evaluations in our lives and ministries. From time to time we need to take our spiritual and ministry temperature! Since it is difficult to evaluate ourselves and be objective, this is where apostolic teams come in. Most would agree that prevention is better than cure! Some maintenance along the way is better than continual crisis management.
Where relational accountability is in place between apostolic teams and local church leaders, both churches and leaders find themselves protected in a number of areas. First of all, local leaders and churches are protected from isolation, disconnection, and a sense of “standing alone.”
Secondly, they are protected from “tunnel” vision and discouragement. Paul encouraged Timothy not to faint nor fear in discharging his responsibilities in leading the church in Ephesus. Thirdly, churches and local leaders are protected from doctrinal error or extremes and financial impropriety.
The apostolic team can step in and assist a local leader and/or a local church through transition. For example, Paul sent Tychicas to replace Timothy at Ephesus so Timothy could take on another assignment for Paul (2 Timothy 4:12). Transitions can be caused by encouraging or discouraging circumstances, and it is good to know there are experienced and seasoned ministers who can walk through them with us.
Apostolic teams can assist local churches in training their leaders and emerging leaders. In this day, training for local church ministry is returning to the local church. This becomes increasingly valuable when we decide to pursue the five-fold model of leadership we read of in Ephesians 4:11.
Most local churches do not have all five dimensions of Christ’s leadership in fullness and, therefore, they need to draw on their relational apostolic team to bring in the training needed.
In conclusion, let me cite Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 4:1: “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” This aligns with the way Paul refers to himself in the beginning of his epistles: he regards himself as a bondslave of Christ.
This, to me, is the heart of true apostolic ministry—serving and assisting churches and leaders in progressing in the vision the Lord has given to them.
