And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers ; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ : 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ :

 

Last week we looked at Apostolic teams and Apostolic companies. Today we will look at two distinctions: apostolic churches and kingdom centers. These are places teams and companies are sent from and also the places they go to minister. For the most part, we all understand the many faceted church structures that currently exist. We also see many types of para-church ministries functioning. Apostolic churches and centers are very different in DNA and function than the typical models that now exist.

            True apostolic churches carry greater impact than conventional church models. This is because of mobilization and the release of the entire Body of Christ represented. The outcome is multiplication, first with ministers, and then with those able to be touched. Apostolic Churches look at and take on projects affecting more than them, but the Body of Christ and unbelievers. This comes from a greater visionary posture based on understanding the Kingdom. They have some of the same structure as conventional churches with elements of worship, prayer, teaching, and different types of ministry. But the function and expression of each of these is different. Worship is more expressive and free, prayer is more intense and moves into true intercession with many participating. Teaching may be more revelatory and the ministries are designed to release people into function and are more non-traditional taking on dynamics that are relevant to society.

 

1 Corinthians 3:5-10

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man ? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase . 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase . 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour . 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry , ye are God’s building . 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon .

 

 

 

Apostolic or Kingdom centers are now emerging to help current ministries and new apostolic churches emerging. Kingdom centers work to develop all the dynamics of regional church and churches for reformation and awakening. This includes becoming a place of great resource that others can draw from. They take the role in ministry that most churches cannot do or do not have expertise to do. These are aspects such as School of Ministries or in-depth teaching training the saints to do the work of ministry.  They become gathering places for the Body of Christ regionally through conferences and other types of special meetings.  They are places of connecting various ministries with each other for interaction. In other words, it is a place to help supplement those desiring more than a local church setting. Kingdom centers see regions and assignments. Kingdom centers generally are led by Apostolic and Prophetic teams. This brings both the mind of God and the strategy of God for a region.

 

Acts 18:19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

 

Acts 18:21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus .

 

Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples ,

 Acts 18:24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus .

 Kingdom centers become the places apostolic teams and companies are sent forth from. Most kingdom centers have pastoral staff to help minister to individual needs. Most kingdom centers have regional cause and vision that supersedes what local churches present. Most Pastoral viewpoints are people’s individual needs. Kingdom centers shift the person into the cause of the Kingdom and the role their life plays in it. Being part of a kingdom center has a higher expectation than a local church. In a typical local church, the expectation is to conquer your personal problems and sustain your spiritual life. In an apostolic church, the expectation is that your life will impact others. In a Kingdom center the expectation is both of the above, plus a coming together for common cause to impact regions!

           Kingdom centers also seem to have higher standards than most typical church models. Because they have a focus for regional change and ministry to leaders and emerging leaders, the standards are high. The expectation to be an example by doing things in excellence is very much a DNA of Kingdom Centers. Since the eyes of a region are upon them, they must maintain and lead by modeling an exemplary approach to life. They are not out to conform belief systems but challenge believers to live at a higher standard than just getting by. In all honesty, if Pastors and churches would support Kingdom Centers and encourage their people to attend them and their events, the pastoral job would be much easier. Kingdom Centers do not want to gather people to retain them but to train and release them.

           So looking at Apostolic churches working with Kingdom centers, we see them working together for the same things. The development of people in giftings, releasing destiny and maintaining and advancing the Kingdom. The approaches may differ slightly but the primary assignment of both is the Kingdom. One within a region or state and the other within a local body or city. If we had apostolic based churches along with Kingdom centers, we would have a dynamic relationship driven ministry base covering all aspects needed in the Body of Christ.