Transforming Church: The Rise of Apostolic Centers
Summary
### Summary
In today's discussion, we delved into the concept of Apostolic Centers, a significant development within the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement. This movement, which is not a denomination but a relational network, has popularized the idea of apostles and prophets, drawing from the five-fold ministry described in Ephesians 4:11. Apostolic Centers are emerging as new structures for church organization, emphasizing a shift from traditional pastoral churches to a more dynamic, kingdom-oriented model.
Apostolic Centers are characterized by their leadership, typically headed by an apostle who functions more like a CEO than a traditional pastor. These centers focus on equipping the saints for social transformation and the harvest, rather than merely nurturing a safe environment for congregants. This shift is part of a broader paradigm change from church to kingdom, emphasizing dominionism and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth.
Key figures like Todd Bentley, C. Peter Wagner, and Dutch Sheets have been instrumental in promoting this concept. Bentley's 2003 article on emerging apostolic resource centers outlines the characteristics and functions of these centers, including local churches, schools of the Spirit, missions, and healing centers. Sheets and Wagner have further developed this idea, organizing conferences and forming alliances to advance the apostolic agenda.
The kingdom, as understood by these leaders, has a government, culture, territory, and even war units, emphasizing spiritual warfare and the need for financial resources to bring about social transformation. This vision is not just about individual or congregational change but aims for regional and even global impact.
In future discussions, we will explore the biblical foundations of these ideas and how they are implemented in practice, particularly through the Seven Mountains Mandate, which seeks to influence various spheres of society.
### Key Takeaways
1. Apostolic Centers vs. Traditional Churches: Apostolic Centers are led by apostles who function more like CEOs, focusing on equipping the saints for social transformation rather than merely nurturing congregants. This shift represents a move from a maintenance-oriented approach to a development and expansion model. [27:33]
2. The Kingdom Paradigm: The NAR emphasizes a shift from the era of the church to the era of the kingdom, where the focus is on establishing God's dominion on earth. This involves a comprehensive understanding of the kingdom, including its government, culture, and territory, and the role of spiritual warfare in advancing this kingdom. [21:33]
3. Role of Financial Resources: Financial resources are crucial for the NAR's vision of social transformation. The concept of the "great transfer of wealth" is central, with treasurers of the kingdom managing these resources to accomplish their goals. This highlights the practical aspects of implementing their spiritual vision. [26:03]
4. Networking and Organization: Apostolic Centers thrive on relational networks rather than denominational structures. Effective organization and leadership are essential for creating these networks, which aim to bring about social and cultural change according to their vision of Christianity. [08:45]
5. Seven Mountains Mandate: The NAR's strategy includes the Seven Mountains Mandate, which seeks to influence key areas of society such as education, government, media, and business. This mandate is part of their broader goal of cultural transformation and establishing God's kingdom on earth. [32:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:16] - Introduction to Apostolic Centers
[02:21] - NAR Movement Overview
[04:02] - Historical Context
[05:24] - Todd Bentley's Prophetic Article
[06:34] - Characteristics of Apostolic Centers
[07:52] - Seven Functions of Apostolic Centers
[08:45] - Organizational Skills and Networking
[09:39] - Social Transformation Goals
[10:33] - Current State of Apostolic Centers
[11:38] - Dutch Sheets and the Apostolic Alliance
[13:30] - Prophetic Revelations and Leadership Roles
[15:02] - Mobilizing All Christians
[16:17] - Equipping for Social Transformation
[17:22] - Chuck Pierce's Revelation
[19:14] - Apostolic Centers Rising Conference
[21:00] - From Church to Kingdom Paradigm
[22:54] - Kingdom Characteristics
[24:57] - Spiritual Warfare and Financial Resources
[26:33] - Five-Fold Ministry and Social Transformation
[27:33] - Apostolic Leadership Model
[30:01] - Empowering Saints for the Harvest
[32:10] - Seven Mountains Mandate
[32:40] - Conclusion and Next Steps
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 4:11 - "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers."
2. Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
3. Acts 2:42-47 - "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the five roles mentioned in Ephesians 4:11, and what is their purpose according to the passage?
2. How does Matthew 28:19-20 describe the mission of the church?
3. In Acts 2:42-47, what activities did the early church devote themselves to, and what were the outcomes of these activities?
4. According to the sermon, how do Apostolic Centers differ from traditional pastoral churches in terms of leadership and focus? [27:33]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of the five-fold ministry in Ephesians 4:11 relate to the structure and purpose of Apostolic Centers as described in the sermon? [02:21]
2. What might be the significance of the shift from a church-oriented model to a kingdom-oriented model in the context of the New Apostolic Reformation? [21:33]
3. How does the idea of social transformation align with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? [09:39]
4. In what ways do the activities of the early church in Acts 2:42-47 reflect the goals of Apostolic Centers? [16:17]
### Application Questions
1. Apostolic Centers emphasize equipping the saints for social transformation. How can you personally contribute to social transformation in your community? [09:39]
2. The sermon mentions the importance of financial resources for achieving the NAR's vision. How can you be a good steward of your financial resources to support kingdom work? [26:03]
3. Apostolic Centers focus on relational networks rather than denominational structures. How can you build and strengthen relationships within your church community to support its mission? [08:45]
4. The Seven Mountains Mandate aims to influence key areas of society. Which area (e.g., education, government, media, business) do you feel called to impact, and what steps can you take to make a difference? [32:10]
5. Reflecting on the shift from a maintenance-oriented approach to a development and expansion model, how can you move from a mindset of merely attending church to actively participating in its mission? [27:33]
6. Considering the emphasis on spiritual warfare in the sermon, how can you prepare yourself spiritually to face challenges and advance God's kingdom? [24:57]
7. The sermon highlights the role of apostles as leaders who function more like CEOs. How can you support and pray for the leaders in your church to help them fulfill their roles effectively? [27:33]
Devotional
Day 1: Apostolic Leadership Model
Apostolic Centers are led by apostles who function more like CEOs, focusing on equipping the saints for social transformation rather than merely nurturing congregants. This shift represents a move from a maintenance-oriented approach to a development and expansion model. Apostolic leaders are visionaries who see beyond the immediate needs of the congregation and aim to mobilize believers for broader societal impact. They emphasize the importance of training and empowering individuals to take on leadership roles in various spheres of life, thereby extending the influence of the church beyond its walls. This model encourages a proactive approach to faith, where believers are not just passive recipients but active participants in God's mission on earth. [27:33]
Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."
Reflection: Think about your current role in your church or community. How can you take a more active role in equipping others for ministry and social transformation?
Day 2: The Kingdom Paradigm
The NAR emphasizes a shift from the era of the church to the era of the kingdom, where the focus is on establishing God's dominion on earth. This involves a comprehensive understanding of the kingdom, including its government, culture, and territory, and the role of spiritual warfare in advancing this kingdom. The kingdom paradigm is about seeing the world through the lens of God's sovereignty and recognizing that every aspect of life falls under His rule. This perspective encourages believers to engage in various societal spheres with the aim of reflecting God's values and principles. It is a call to action, urging Christians to be agents of change in their communities and beyond. [21:33]
Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: In what ways can you seek to establish God's kingdom in your daily life? Consider specific actions you can take to reflect His values in your workplace, home, or community.
Day 3: Role of Financial Resources
Financial resources are crucial for the NAR's vision of social transformation. The concept of the "great transfer of wealth" is central, with treasurers of the kingdom managing these resources to accomplish their goals. This highlights the practical aspects of implementing their spiritual vision. Financial stewardship is seen as a vital component of advancing God's kingdom, where resources are not just for personal gain but for the collective good. Believers are encouraged to view their finances as tools for ministry, supporting initiatives that promote social justice, education, and community development. This approach fosters a sense of responsibility and purpose in how one manages their financial blessings. [26:03]
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: How can you use your financial resources to support God's work in your community? Identify one specific way you can contribute to a cause or ministry that aligns with kingdom values.
Day 4: Networking and Organization
Apostolic Centers thrive on relational networks rather than denominational structures. Effective organization and leadership are essential for creating these networks, which aim to bring about social and cultural change according to their vision of Christianity. These networks are built on relationships, trust, and shared vision, allowing for greater flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of the community. By fostering strong connections among believers, Apostolic Centers can mobilize resources and coordinate efforts more effectively. This relational approach also encourages collaboration and unity within the body of Christ, breaking down barriers that often divide traditional denominations. [08:45]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Reflect on your relationships within your church and community. How can you strengthen these connections to better support and collaborate with others in advancing God's kingdom?
Day 5: Seven Mountains Mandate
The NAR's strategy includes the Seven Mountains Mandate, which seeks to influence key areas of society such as education, government, media, and business. This mandate is part of their broader goal of cultural transformation and establishing God's kingdom on earth. The Seven Mountains Mandate encourages believers to take leadership roles in these spheres, using their influence to promote godly values and principles. It is a call to engage with the world in a meaningful way, recognizing that every area of society can be a platform for ministry. By impacting these key areas, believers can help shape the culture and bring about lasting change that reflects God's kingdom. [32:10]
Isaiah 2:2 (ESV): "It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it."
Reflection: Which of the seven mountains (education, government, media, business, family, religion, arts/entertainment) do you feel called to influence? What steps can you take to begin making an impact in that area?
Quotes
1. "You don't need prophecy for that. This is what they wanted to do. They sense this as being an important way to advance their cause, an important way to help society change, to see the social transformation that they want to see, and that they want to bring about, and that they believe that God wants them to bring about. They're just going to work towards it, essentially. You don't need to be a prophet for that. You just need to be organized. And they're very well organized, that's for sure. They know how to network, and they know how to create structures that will facilitate the emergence of these centers." [09:39] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Apostolic Centers serve for the advancement of the kingdom. And we'll see in just a few minutes how there's a shift, there's a paradigm shift that occurs. They often use the term their new wineskins. We got to dispose ourselves, this is what they will say, the former ways of operating or doing things, these are old wineskins. Now God is calling people to embrace new wineskins, that means a new way of bringing about ministry, a new way of doing the things that God wants His church to be done." [16:50] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So apostolic centers, what they do is they essentially equip people to go out transform the world. So in summary, the particularity of these apostolic centers is simple. Apostolic centers versus what we can call maybe the pastoral church is that these centers are led by an apostle who functions not so much as a pastor himself or herself, but more like a CEO of a company. And of course, this apostle usually works with an apostolic team." [27:05] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The kingdom has a government, and that government is supernatural, and the people of the kingdom of that government are sent by God into war. Okay? So there's warfare language that is attached to all of this notion of kingdom. So the kingdom, of course, if there is a kingdom, there is a king, and of course it's Jesus. The kingdom has an administration, that means that there is a specific structure, and we'll talk about that in just a few minutes. The kingdom has a culture, and that culture is, of course, is an ethical culture, at least how they define what constitutes ethics, but that ethical culture is, according to them, higher and better than the world's culture, and there is a need to implement that culture into the world." [23:52] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The kingdom also has a territory, so it progresses in the world, it expands in the world. This is what dominionism is. It's not just about a city, but it's about, of course, a city, a state, a country, a continent, the world. The kingdom has also what he calls war units, meaning that kingdom people battle in a war. This is very clear. And this battle is against demonic forces, so there's a very, very much, there's this emphasis, over-emphasis, on this idea of spiritual warfare." [24:57] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "And this is why it's important to understand what these centers are. And they are more and more present a bit everywhere. And they don't have to be associated to a particular denomination. Often they're independent. But they're just in a network of relationships with other centers that are often independent. And they just kind of function this way together to bring about change, influence policies, politics if they can, and influence social change according to their vision of ethics and what constitutes for them Christianity." [31:09] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "So the result for all of this is the implementation of a kingdom now theology, or what we can call essentially dominionism, but from a charismatically oriented perspective. So it's really the charismatic brand of dominionism that will take precedence, that will establish itself throughout the world with global networks. It's this kind of dominionism that will be manifest and this is their goal essentially." [22:54] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "So apostolic centers are a bit different. They are different from that. They empower the people in the congregation that are called the saints. So they empower the saints for the harvest. You see, this brings us back to Todd Bentley's 2003 letter where he says that these apostolic resource centers will be for the harvest. So they are empowered for the harvest and for social transformation. So it's a kind of a maintenance-oriented approach in the local pastoral church versus a development and expansion approach." [30:01] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So the people that are gathered, which we call the church, the ecclesia, is understood by these leaders as the, they are understood, these people, as the people of the kingdom. So the result for all of this is the implementation of a kingdom now theology, or what we can call essentially dominionism, but from a charismatically oriented perspective. So it's really the charismatic brand of dominionism that will take precedence, that will establish itself throughout the world with global networks. It's this kind of dominionism that will be manifest and this is their goal essentially." [22:07] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "So apostolic centers, what they do is they essentially equip people to go out transform the world. So in summary, the particularity of these apostolic centers is simple. Apostolic centers versus what we can call maybe the pastoral church is that these centers are led by an apostle who functions not so much as a pastor himself or herself, but more like a CEO of a company. And of course, this apostle usually works with an apostolic team." [27:05] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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