In my last blog I wrote how a change in the Church’s government is beginning. The government of the Church is evolving from being democratically elected to one that is governed by people chosen by Jesus using the gifts He is giving them. This type of government has many names including Apostolic government and 5-Fold ministry.
I want to propose to you that as we make this change in government many of the things we desire to see the Church become will start to happen. A basic principle of leadership is that followers can never rise above their leaders. It is very important to have mature leaders with the gifts (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher) needed to lead the Church. This will cause a rise in maturity in the Church.
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Ephesians 4:11-14
If we examine the verses above we see that if a Church has an Apostolic government the following benefits will start to happen in the Church.
Unity will be achieved
Full Knowledge of Jesus will be known
Full maturity will come to Christians
Babies in the Lord will grow up
Deception of Christians will go down
This is what I want to see happen in the Church! Did you notice the direct link between who your leaders are in the Church and the results that come? I don’t believe you can get the benefits of above without understanding the important role of what type of government you have and who is in it.
Your thoughts?
Craig Cooper 
Interesting thoughts, Craig! Reminds me of the convergence movement of a few years ago. Evangelical, charismatic, and liturgical/sacramental coming closer together.
It’s definitely going to be an interesting phase for the Church over the next decade or two. Thanks for the comments – Craig
I lost faith in Government the day Robert F. Kennedy was shot down. I realized then, in 1968 that ssniiter forces were at work to prevent hope from ever being restored and any pride in American values ever again. I lost faith in the Protestant religion as I watched preacher after preacher embrace or advocate a sort of physical prosperity Gospel, very anti=poor in nature, to the point that poverty was equated with sin in your life and a curse put upon you by God (Reverend Parsley claimed “Poverty is a CURSE”.I stopped believing anything written in the media as entertainment corporations began buying them up. Suddenly news concerned what was going to be on TV that evening or what Madonna was wearing that day. I no longer read any newspapers, they are nothing but propaganda sheets for their advertisers and how many times have one of their “economic” writers called “bottom” on housing?I don’t trust realtors at all. They always try to steer people out of areas they feel don’t warrant your race or occupation. They are like the typical American concern today, who ask only two questions. What is your Occupation? Where do you live? They are worthless.The Church, I deem to be the original one, the Catholic Church. I stopped going in the 1960s because I noticed that Sundays were becoming a show and people were only going because they were afraid of what their grandparents might say. Plus for 40 years now I have never heard a Priest take a stand on an issue. Never get mad at sin or tell people that they might be in danger of eternal damnation for a sinful life. I have heard nothing but “Love one another” from their lips, while I am being destroyed financially, by forces beyond my control.I returned to the Catholic Church recently, despite all the scandals that we are familiar with. They are all in desperate shape now. I see only people over 50 in these events. No young people, or very little, most don’t have any faith and many believe it all a fairy tale. As to the vocation itself, There are very few who volunteer a life of celibacy to conduct mass, or a woman who would give up their lives to serve in silence. This is because of the rampant materialism of our age, the empty promise of a “career” for women (they will be betrayed in the next great depression) and the outright liberal attitudes of local Bishops who feel that they know everything and want to make changes. Foolish thoughts, 20th century attitudes on a Church that has existed for thousands of years in high and low.Trust? These days, I am waiting on God. I know he exists and I know our end is very near. Civilization is getting ready to collapse into a period of violence, murder and death. It may start this year or next. But it WILL be here. I only hope that I escape and not have to bear witness to it in my old age. Thanks for posting this subject Keith.
Thank you for your thoughts! You have given a lot to think about!
“Someone said to me “Noone but a fool or a woman would have written S&H. And he was right; either a fool who did not know the consequences of writing that book, or a woman who would have humility enough to go down and survive the persecution. A man would have been more apt to resist, and to resist would have been fatal. I had to learn the lesson of the grass. When the wind blew I bowed before it, and when mortal mid put its heel upon me I went down and down in humility and waited, — waited until it took its heal off, and then I rose up.” (Peel, Years of Authority, p.84 — Daisette McKenzie reminiscences)
nothing that man does will ever be perfect. having said this, we should always keep ourselves humble in the future, and mindful of the potential for corruption within the leadership of the church. having an apostolic or five fold ministry is a great plan, but not without its risks. i have seen a church governed into the ground by a handful of people, and i’ve seen it shattered by reckless zeal of novice christians. to move in the right direction doesn’t mean that the road won’t be bumpy. congregants will get angry, some may leave, but strength is found in yielding to god, not man. if some leave, then they leave because of their flesh. let them go, for they need to learn some things that they are not learning in the fellowship current.
A Lot of Wisdom Joshua!