Inventing Roles?
I enjoyed the November/December issue, with its focus on apostles. I have noticed that New Apostolic Reformation authors assert that they use a "phenomenological" approach to identifying apostles, which says, in effect, that whatever one who claims to be a present-day apostle happens to do determines what an apostle actually is. Instead, what New Testament apostles did or did not do and how they became apostles must be the standard by which present-day apostles are either approved or disapproved. We cannot arbitrarily invent new 21st-century roles for apostles any more than we can invent a new 21st-century way of salvation.
Maurice L. Fuller
Calgary, Alberta
Sharpening Iron
I have enjoyed reading your magazine for the past couple of years. I agree with some articles and disagree (sometimes strongly) with other articles. Yet, I continue to enjoy your ministry to help sharpen my iron. I want to commend you for giving a variety of opinions on the subject of apostles in the November/December issue. The abuse of titles has caused there to be an unwholesome desire in young ministers and the laity to ascend to a position. Please continue to allow voices of truth to speak to these important issues.
Chuck Preston
Franklin, Kentucky
REPLY: Thank you, Chuck, for your kind comments. Below are some responses from our online Pastors' Discussion at www.min istriestoday.com.
I agree with Doug Beacham's perspective in "The Leadershift" (November/December 2004). However, we must constantly strive to help others understand that apostolic ministry, in its true form, is not a denomination, but rather a structure that is truly patterned after the Bible. Does this mean that other fellowships are incorrectly established? Not at all! This is why we must stop focusing on minor differences, and commit to our brothers and sisters in Christ that we will work together to reach our cities for the kingdom of God.
Elder Ron
The trend today of apostles gathering together existing churches into a franchise to depend on them for leadership and support for their organization is not a biblical pattern. Biblical apostles are sometimes called "missionaries" or "church planters." There are many people doing apostolic work in China and other countries. In the West, if we want to find apostles functioning in their roles, we should look at people who plant churches through real evangelism, rather than through attracting existing believers to churches by marketing techniques and offering better programs.
Link Hudson
Matthias or Matthew?
I enjoyed the "The Unusual Suspects" (Editor's Note), by Matthew Green (November/December 2004). The yearlong emphasis on the fivefold ministry gifts has been very enlightening. However, the second paragraph of this article raised a question. I quote "let's recall how Matthew was chosen--with a pair of dice (see Acts 1:26)." Acts 1:26 refers to Matthias not Matthew. The rest was right on!
John Looper
via e-mail
REPLY: Oops! Thanks for the correction. We would not want Matthias to be confused with the tax-collector-turned-disciple/Gospel-author, Matthew (a.k.a. Levi).
Misplaced Priorities
I heartily agree with "God on the Job" by Kent Humphreys (July/August). However, there are godly pastors that teach that we should spend more and more time in church activities--even at the expense of our jobs and family time. I am not against church programs, but I have seen some sincere Christians who are so involved in church programs that their performance in their secular jobs deteriorates due to being spread too thin in carrying out various responsibilities in church.
name withheld
Malaysia
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