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1 Corinthians 12:28   

“firstly Apostles... after that… administrators…”

The word translated “governments” in The King James Bible is also translated “administrations” or “administrators” in the New American and Revised Standard Versions. In Greek this is the word “kubernesis” which means to steer and is used to designate the pilot of a ship. Anyone knows that unless the pilot is the owner of the ship he does not decide where it goes, he simply steers it where he is told to. God raises up Apostles to pioneer new churches and bring forth new revelations. Once the Apostle is gone the movements or churches that they pioneered are usually taken over by people who have “administrative” gifts. When that happens the movement ceases, there is no more advancing the Kingdom and consequently there is no more growth!

Administrators are important and are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:28 but the Administrative gift is never to be first or “primary”! When administration is first the movement dies! Administrators are not pioneers! They are not the kind of people to take the risks that Apostles will to advance the Kingdom of God! It is “first”; “proton” Apostles… When administration is “proton” they stop anything new! They want everything to stay the same. Their favorite verse is usually that everything be done; “decently and in order”! When Paul gives us the order that God has “set in the church” he does not even mention Pastors…

For the most part, Christian churches are being run by “Pastors” who are actually Administrators. Traditional Christianity is largely structured around denominations, and most denominational executives are administrators, many of them excellent administrators. Thus, day after day and year after year, administrators are those who make decisions which affect the life and the ministry of the churches under their jurisdiction. The Bible teaches that administrators are necessary because they carry out the vision of the Apostle. But administrators can only do all they are supposed to do if they work under the anointing of an Apostle.

Many Christian organizations flourish in the first generation and then tend to lose some of their initial vigor after their founder passes off the scene. One of the reasons for this is that the founder was very likely an apostle who carried a “pioneering anointing” and who exercised apostolic leadership. But after the Apostle is gone most of the time the person who replaces him turns out to be an administrator. There is a vast difference between an apostle and an administrator. Remember, the Apostle has the “pioneering anointing” while an administrator has a “maintenance anointing”.

Apostles and Pastors

Apostles need to train up Pastors with administrative gifting and ability to care for the work. A Pastoral anointing is one that cares for and feeds the flock. It is one of the Fivefold Ministries but without the Apostolic anointing in the Pulpit a church cannot reach its potential. So, Apostles need to raise up “sons”, other Apostles who will carry on the pioneering aspect of the work when they are gone.

Jesus did not appoint 12 “Pastors” but 12 Apostles to carry His message into the next generation! Apostles “multiply” whereas Pastors usually “maintain”. Jesus raised up 12 Apostles placing a pioneering spirit in them. Administrators do not have a “pioneering” spirit! Again, we need administrators but they are never to have the preeminence among us! That position belongs to the Apostles… “firstly Apostles”!

Many Pastors today are actually Apostles who either do not know it or theologically cannot accept it. Some have planted churches and/or raised up teams of ministries but they don’t use the term or title “Apostle” out of ignorance or the fear of rejection.

Moses is a example of a frustrated Apostle. He was trying very hard to be “pastoral” after being Apostolic and leading the people out of bondage. He sat everyday listening to their complaints and problems. They we never satisfied! He was trying to get them into Canaan but just couldn’t seem to get them there! He finally got so frustrated that he prayed; “God, please kill me. I can’t take it any longer!” What a sad testimony! This Apostle got stuck with a “Pastoral, Administrative” spirit and it frustrated him so much he even missed the Promised Land himself!

After his father-in-law Jethro came and showed him how to get in the proper position he was able once again to be the man he was supposed to be and he led the people properly once again.

Sent ones have a sense of destiny and purpose and believe that everyone else in the church does too! They desire to “set in order” the things that are wanting”.

To “set” ministries in the House,

Apostles must do these 5 things:

1.    Identify       The anointing identifies the ministry gift

2.    Confirm      The gift is confirmed in the persons spirit

3.    Impart        An impartation is given by the laying on of hands

4.    Activate      The gift is activated through prayer and prophetic utterance

5.    Release      The person is released into their ministry

Let’s not allow the Spirits of Unbelief, Ignorance and Fear rob us of our destinies and we do not fulfill what God has for us to do! Let’s keep “first things first” and put Apostles in the pulpits to pioneer and advance the Kingdom of God!

Bishop@LivingWaterNJ.com