Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV)

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

Why is the Apostolic Important?

Ephesians 2:19-20 (NKJV)

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.

Apostle – Spiritual Fathers

1 Corinthians 4:15 (ESV)

For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:2 (ESV)

If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

5 Signs of Apostolic Leadership

1. You Have Apostolic Leadership in Your Church
   • You have apostolic leaders guiding your community.
2. You aren’t trying to be friends with everyone, and not everyone in your city dislikes you.

   • James 4:4 (NLT):

     “Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.”

3. You Have a Culture of Empowerment
   • Leadership Development:
     • What is your development plan?
4. Outside-Focused Vision
   • Ask yourself: Does your city know you exist?
5. You are a Builder
   • You are a builder – both of people and of the church.