Improper Attitudes Regarding Apostles
by Dr. Tim Early
{You may want to grab a hot cup of Green tea and biscuit beforereading this article} Go right ahead, we'll wait here for
you right here...smile
Gratitude is an attitude! Your Attitude can determine your
altitude! {Attitude of Altitude}
Kingdom saints are to walk out the life-giving nature of the
Beatitude! {Matthew chapter 5}
The Beatitude {not Bad Attitude} is another way of saying
"Blessed Attitude!"
In 26 years of marriage to the same lovely this year's end and 33 & 1/2 years of ministry to the corporate body of Christ, I have rediscovered with renewed interest the significant importance of mutual respect and reciprocity, covenant community, well-defined lines of open communication, honesty and maturity in right relationships, true accountability structures with seasoned ministries, and leadership initiatives modeled by example, precept, and demonstration.
Over the past decade, I have taken considerable notice how
that many levels of relationship were born in the work of the
ministry through acquaintances, casual, close, to intimate, or the 4 main categorizations {if you will} of relationships.
Many ministry relationships have a weak premise and a peculiar way of thinking {Your perception is your reality}, assuming that the real players in aligning to any network of ministries were the ones who gave above all others the most extravagant financial support to the leading officers of the institutional church, sprawling organization, ministerial alliance, apostolic team, international network, spiritual-ministry father, etc.
And, if one was suspect of not giving much larger amounts to guarantee {or in some cases, buy...Simon...Acts 8} their personal success and favor with the inner circle or elite, you were considered in certain or uncertain terms as a player hater, an outcast to say the least. Not part of the club...
There is, beloved, a prevailing and prevalent attitude of this kind today. Whether laced in Charismatic lingo, or the twisting and circumventing of present truth articulations it does not justify the abuses and extremes experienced by many in the current dimensions of the apostolic.
Amid the extremes and gross preoccupation abroad, nevertheless, the intended purpose of God's global apostolic reformation and revolution today is divinely designed into launching our mentalities in HIS governance, HIS focus, and HIS vision, reshaping our lives into God's established purpose which has become a consolation for countless many, and has sparked some controversy with others...
In this dimensional shifting from church to kingdom we have
sometimes failed to see that we are carrying idol gods of our old
imagination into a new dawning, trying desperately to establish
and pioneer present day truth through the characteristics of manipulation {30}, intimidation {60}
, and domination {100}, courting, flirting, and slinging around the term "Apostolic Dimension" as if it is a license to become aloof from people, or to lord over flocks as if the Lord appointed people unto us for the very whim of our own imaginations.
Today there is a great hopping on board to the apostolic band wagon, acknowledging themselves as God's apostles when in truth all are nor ordained as apostles, nor set and established by God, and recognized by HIS said, sent, and set ministries as the genuine article. Further truth revealing here is that in any city you go to, let's say, Houston, TX, you are going to hear so many proclaiming their apostleship. But in all honesty, though there are many apostolic brethren around, far less walk in the LIFE of an apostle. And I will officially go on record as to say, there are far less truly established apostles of the Spirit in such regions as once commonly held in belief and celebrated in past thinking as having so many in number.
Another thing is the assumption that an apostle has
more authority than any other, or unlimited authority over any
other. How sad! But consider this, an apostle has limited authority, and is not the authority of God everywhere they go. We are all men and women of God, but we are not "THE" man and woman of God in every situation, place, and sphere. No one person, or any person for that matter is the apostle of the whole world, the final messenger of the hour, or the official bishop of 50000 burgeoning assemblies...
In traveling grace and in developing right relationships and mutual respect one for another it is best to go as a servant of the Lord as others perceive the fruit and spirit of what you have been given for, without any demands and fanfare placed by you, the serving minister. This not to say apostles are to be walked over, or disregarded for their measure of rule, anointing, gifting, and grace. But the truth is, apostles too, are servants of the Lord, and must have the character and heart of God for the building of his house, with more love and loyalty to the corporate body of believers in their given context than any personal ambition of their own in exhibiting their importance in apostleship...
Apostles cannot afford to make the same mistakes as the
old wineskin of the 70's, when abuses arose over inordinate submission to authority, and when some strands of shepherding had taken its toll on the lives of many. Admittedly, there were some important things yielded for the good of the body in respect to accountability {and for all of the right motives and reasons}, yet that era of time was not the full restoration of the apostolic pattern.
It was a glimpse then, of a new dawning in the church, compounded with overwhelming zeal, insecure leadership, faulty foundations, and the over-esteeming of ones self and importance as a minister of the gospel. Great potential, but then, potential for disaster as well...
In those times, and much like today, leaders would be driven on the authority kick, authority for breakfast, lunch, and dinner., and authority between snacks, too!
But beloved, being preoccupied with the our sole importance of what our spiritual authority is with belief that others pale in comparison to us for the great authority we walk is a deceitful value, and is not being a servant - son in the kingdom Yes there is spiritual authority in our ordained functionalities in the kingdom through our measure of rule and in proper relationship with HIS set, and set appointed ministries, and by the Lord defining our designs for HIS steadfast and massive pursuits and purpose, but you don't assume anything more importantly about yourself over all others because you have this great authority in the body of Christ. Not so!!!
Therefore beloved, the apostolic must endure the test and
qualitative processes in the purging and purifying of motives,
until this true motive and movement of the Spirit is the direct result of the purity of the Father's heart embodied within HIS precious people.
The apostolic dimension is not about turning apostles into glory boys and glamor girls, and true apostolic ministry is not alone characterized by how many ministries you've established or oversee, but in the eternal purpose of the Lord for that said ministry, the fruit of the Spirit, the manifestation, administration, and diversities of operations the Spirit of the Lord which HE deems such ministry to be, and the genuine LIFE and seal of apostleship God has appointed for that ministry. A lot of character goes into a ministry, and the charisma {grace and gifts} and character {fruit of the Spirit} become an inseparable oneness, as one does not cancel out the other...
The real deal in the corporate anointing is not how anointed you are, but in the APPOINTING of the Lord for the anointing to flow...
The real deal is not in what you have or do not have at the consensus of men, but...{A}, What you are becoming in HIM, {B}, What HIS calling and purpose HE has given you for is producing in the appointed peoples of the Lord, and {C} Where it is taking the saints into the next dimension of their destiny...
The real deal in the corporate anointing is not who it is that is on top, but where the anointing is flowing. For if we are not discerning, we will celebrate the oil
on the beard, and not the oil from the beard, for there is a difference. As in many assemblies, which cater to a monocratic church structure {versus Theocratic, another discussion altogether}, and a one-dimensional anointing, everyone celebrates how great the preacher preaches. The bulk of the ministry is acknowledged largely from one anointing, generally, the {restrictive pastor - "THE" restricted leader often at the exclusion of other plural and apostolic team ministry - ATM}.
However, those who are being activated through the proceeding word of the Lord, understand clearly and in loving compassion and kingdom motivation that a pastoral anointing or gifting alone is incapable of bringing the saints into the fullness of the new day. It must take on a new substance through apostolic impartation and prophetic activation, foundational ministries expanding the view of the pastoral leader-shift from church to kingdom, and from building church buildings within and of itself to the fuller expression of the apostolic wise master builder of which transition from being the glorious church to the glorified church! {Now that's another message all of its own, too!}
There is an apostolic mandated in building up {the building is the people} the corporate body of Christ {1st Corinthians 3}. We need the whole hand {Ephesians 4:11-16 - apostle, prophet, evangelist,
pastor, and teacher} and not the withered hand, moving from
traditional pastoral ponds to apostolic and prophetic rivers
{pastors who will function and focus with apostolic mentality.
We need every dimension of the kingdom to flow through the
corporate anointing. {From individualism to corporate life, from
I to we}...
Now for today's message...
I sincerely hope you are taking a seat at this moment, and have
had the opportunity to grab a cup of Java {Jehovah Java...Americano, Half-Caff, etc.}, Earl Grey, Oolong Green, Chamomile, Chai, Red, or Peppermint tea...{Smile}...Perhaps you may want a biscuit or something to go with your precious yet challenging moment. In any case, get ready to part from tradition. For here is where the main meat and thrust of today's discussion continues...{Is the tea brewing, no
problem, we're still here - smile!}
Improper Attitudes Regarding Apostles
1 - Either Improper Attitudes from unchallenged apostles
2 -Or, Improper Attitudes toward apostles in general
And before you read on, consider this word as a liberating
influence of the Holy Spirit, a Jubilee if you will...
1 - Improper Attitudes from some unchallenged apostles:
A
- "Blessed God, I'm going to get me some ministry sons today to tithe to me personally, and constantly remind them that if they don't, they will never, ever be blessed again, thus saith the apostle!" I will assure them that if they want what I have got, they have to PAY for it to get what they are to get!!!" Get my connections, get my resources, get my notoriety, and get my wardrobe, too!" Just pay for it!!!"
In a growing segment and in cultural shifting in many places of worship, the apostle is revered above all else, and if you give it a twist of lemon, then call him or her the jurisdictional bishop as well. Here, people are constrained to give as if life and death is the ultimatum. The focus then becomes the apostle, and using institutional lingo to describe the term "official church membership," the sun rises and sets in the legendary apostle {in the words of the fictional Dirty Harry Callahan, "They are a legend in their own mind!"}, the preeminent one, and nothing goes on without the apostle...
Giving then, is what you can get from your apostle. If you want more time with him or her, give more then anyone else, take out a 2nd mortgage on your home, and when the apostle says "Jump!", don't ask how high?" Just jump!" Or act jumpy...
That is why we see in this lucrative industry why people desire to have a spiritual - ministry father based on their outstanding world-class connections {which has nothing to do with true fatherhood within itself}, so people seed into the senior apostle's media, influence, connections, contacts, etc., and the financial seed is to guarantee the giver these same connection, contacts, and more...
However, true giving to true apostolic ministry will become a blessing and not a cursing, mutual, and not legislative, voluntary, and not compulsory. I believe that there are mature sons in the earth who will heed to the higher realms of giving without any hidden agenda from either end. There is a seed-crop of mature expressions of the Kingdom that give in a deeper covenantal sphere and connectivity then just the mere idea of giving to get their giving over with for the day...
Now, is financial support a consideration for present truth apostles and those whom the Lord appoints them to? Yes and amen...
Can leaders and saints of assemblies become a financial blessing to trans-local apostles that pioneer new dynamics, dimensions, and destinies among them through covenant relationships and in God's design? Yes and amen...
Is an apostle of the Spirit ever to anticipate any means of lawful and legitimate support, or should we resort to con games, tricks of the trade, and gimmick warfare?
True, apostles, in all loving honesty, should anticipate
support in the right way, and through the right means. There should always be an open communication and understanding in the delicate affairs of sources and resources. Truth is, the gathering and distribution of wealth resources in the New Testament was administered through apostles in Acts 4. There must be maturity in this...
True giving should promote a healthy covenant community when it comes to apostles reciprocating the resources among the people for the said and intended purpose of giving in the first place. As with
Theresa and me, many people wanted an apostle on paper, and a
token apostle at the annual conference or convention. But few
caught the spirit of giving precious seed, and today, very few give.
Simply put, giving and living goes hand and hand. It is one thing to give, and not to live the LIFE, but when you receive revelation on living, the Holy Spirit can quicken you and me to a new level in giving, cheerfully, without cruelty or constraint, but with purpose, passion, and praise unto God!!!
In all of the appointed relationships of the Spirit, not one time did we ever demand that people give as the basis of the relationship, or have we ever fathered anyone on the condition of a financial
premium! I call this, "Fathering for a FEE!" Rent a cop, or rent an apostle!"
With all blessing there is responsibility...Freely we receive, and freely we give...It is God's Vision, therefore, HE provides the Provision...repeat 50 times...smile...
B - Insensitivity: Shrewd and too Demanding: Check up from the neck up or Check Down from the Head Down, hahhahaha
In the present apostolic reformation there is the matter of how we convey our intentions and concerns one with another, how we carry ourselves in public and private, and how we treat one another personally or professionally. In many nations of the earth, there is the growing uneasiness and yet warped curiosity in being rude and shrewd, a supposed sign of being an apostle of spiritual authority, placing unreasonable demands and unrealistic expectations upon people.
In our travels, we have witnessed network leaders of powerfully given apostolic networks insist that all in attendance to their meetings sign up and join their entity NOW, or face the consequence of being left out on what God is really doing in the earth. I watched on more than one occasion how leaders were signing their life away to become a part of something they have no divine appointing for, nor any divine drive in. Just sign at the dotted line, and we will expect the monthly proceeds in a timely matter! Not forgetting, we will change the vision of your local assembly into our vision. No autonomy!"
Speaking concerning unchallenged behavior, and improper attitudes of those claiming apostleship, there is a great segment in today's discussion that holds application to us all.
If you are a traveling minister, there are safeguards in all things. The meetings are not about you, but should lift up the name of Jesus Christ! Lives are to be changed and transformed by the marvelous grace of the Lord, the gift of LIFE, the glory of God, and the fire of HIS manifest presence.
There should be no pressure placed on the people to make sure that the entire city and region hear of the apostle's arrival in town so that the apostle can guarantee a good financial windfall during the conference for himself. There is never to be placed a dreaded demand on people to do things that violates their conscience, such as to make the props look real good to get the results you want for the meeting. Or, make sure the apostle has $75000.00 in the envelop before he or she leaves the 3 day conference, or ELSE!!!
I have seen this in many places, and unethical practices in all spheres of ministry. From preaching 6-7 services a day in different meetings for 3-7 days straight, single-handed, to ensure the apostle gets his quota met...
But did you not know that overworking and worry are 2 forms of rebellion against God? O boy!!!
Beloved, the purposes of checks and balances and abiding in our measure of rule is to protect us in part, from our own selves. It also protects God's precious people, too...
We need to recognize that the apostolic does not make
excuse to be pushy, nor does the apostolic insist its own rights
{I'm an apostle and you better hear what I've got to say or else!
quote - unquote}
. But, the apostolic must lead the way in
becoming a definite new pattern of serving on a higher level.
Though we all come from different cultures, we need to become
upgraded to a new sense of sensitivity, otherwise we will
incorporate a lack of gratitude, with attitudes that keeps saints in
latitude, without altitude through Beatitude {blessed attitude}.
Being rude and overbearing has nothing to do with being prophetic or apostolic. Being pushy and mean to people is not the mark of this NOW reformation and restructuring through present day truth. If we are not discerning, we can lack godly character in many
ways, and prophesy that lack, deficiency, or depletion into the corporate anointing.
We can become bias toward women in ministry and prophesy this frustration and contention in the corporate anointing. We can disesteem one culture, as it becomes evident in our preaching and prophesying. For it is what comes out of a man that defiles him.
2 - Some Improper Attitudes towards apostles...
A
- Apostles on paper, but not through impartation: Many years
have passed, as Theresa and me witnessed some of the most
surprising and shocking discoveries of how many treat or
acknowledge apostles. In one instance, apostles were viewed by
many as paper apostles, something good written down on a
blank sheet or page, but that's as far as it goes. For if at any time, this apostle should release correction, discipline, or fathering grace,
he or she has got to go. I have witnessed this most recently in
our travels, as some wanted the apostolic, or the {ic} of the
apostle, but not the life of an apostle.
Some would say,
"Even though we are in an appointed,
structured, and mutual relationship, I don't ever want my
apostle to tell it like it is, at least to me. Now they can preach
order to these rebellious saints under my leadership, but dare
not admonish me before the people, or at all. I just want an
apostle that will be nice to me, and to put up with my
shortcomings. That's all.
" If I am ever confronted by a genuine apostle before my people, given direction, or a simple suggestion by him or her openly, then that apostle has no care for my reputation over the flock. I have been trained to save face, look the part, and for the people to never let them see me sweat!" Quote unquote.
Well mister, you've got the wrong idea of appointed
apostles. If the Lord is appointing you in this level or dimension of grace, they have what you need. If you claim to surround yourself with people because of all of your strengths, consider this, God is
surrounding you with the right people {including apostles and
prophets} because you have all of these needs.
If the appointment is of the Lord, the counsel and
impartation will do you good. Never assume that apostles are
best served after hours, for they are given by the Lord to
encourage, strengthen, serve, and support your ministry by
God's divine leading, through love, leadership, and legacy... Apostles are nnot given for the 10 keys on having an effective ministry, or the How-TO's in establishing a solid vision, or the 12 step recovery program on becoming the most effective mega church in the neighborhood. They are appointed to YOU, so have you MADE or MISSED your Appointment?
And consider this, you do not go around the country or to
other nations spying out conferences and other corporate
gatherings to see if this apostle is the one to be your spiritual
father. But consider this, it is the fathers that are restored to the
children first, and the children to the fathers. If appointed of the
Lord, the fathers of the Spirit will find and discover you. Jesus
said that you have not chosen him, but that he has chosen you,
and have ordained you, to bring forth much fruit. It is the fathers
{Elijah's} who will discover the Elisha's. You will witness this by divine appointment, not alone in possessing an ointment...
So, let's put away the mind games with the apostolic, picking and
choosing who our apostolic father {not restricted to gender} is,
like a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken
{I want the wing, no,
the leg, etc.}...
For again in Malachi 4:4-6 - it is the Fathers who
are restored and returned to the children first, then the sons unto the fathers. And, if the fathers are being restored to the sons, it is
also important to know what is in the heart of the father and
what is in the heart of the children.
And remember this, two cannot walk together except they are
appointed of the Lord. Amos 3:3.
B
- I want a general apostolic covering, nothing more or less:
Well beloved, I want to see the saints uncovered from the frivolous
notion that a general or generic covering will suffice for a relationship.
Consider this, covering may be an okay term at times, but what are you covering up?
Where is the mutual relationship appointed of the Lord? As with
Theresa and me, hundreds of people around the nations have
said we are their covering, but we are not. In fact, most of them
we never knew, as they use the term covering with convenience, and not with covenant or true kingdom community.
However, there is some sense of covering and a healthy expression thereof, but not in the dictates of covering without accountability, or covering just to say we have a covering. In one of the core central themes of the kingdom God is establishing right relationships...
What we want to see in the corporate anointing is a bold
new understanding of relationships. For anyone can say, I have
a covering, but is it connected in some way with appointed relationships, divine alignments, fatherhood, and spiritual accountability? Not always!
Are they necessarily accountable or explainable to right relationships? No!
Are they being knitted together to network? No!
Then, who are these people out there? We honestly don't know! For a true son will carry the born identity of their father, the DNA, and be about their fathers business. They will have the right through the
covenantal bloodline to pioneer the revelation of their fathers
through this appointed relationship, and will have access to all
that the father has. They will also carry the name of their father,
and will not distance themselves from the loyalty and mutual
respect of such covenant relationship between each other, as the relationship will reveal the fire and glory of the Lord for which it is purposely given.
Whether confrontation or controversy arises over apostolic
revelation, there must be a new dimension of love, loyalty, and leadership one with another that will not have saints running and ducking for cover as if a meteor is about to hit earth. For as soon as some alleged or apparent peripheral doctrinal issue arises over the body, or something out of the box, I have seen many leave their appointed spiritual - ministry fathers for fear of being identified with them, sort of like Peter and his dilemma concerning Jesus, denying thrice...
I encourage and applaud in the Lord the restoration of so many broken relationships, but first, the restoration of hearts. For how can hearts without restoration be restored to God's appointed other?
Theresa and me have learned some powerful lessons in life, one of which that we can't father everyone. Not that we think we ever could, but we had to clearly define our lines of communication with saints world over, as we are not the apostles of the whole world, but abide in our measure of rule.
All 6 continents {I would say 7, but no penguins have come forth yet, lol} have responded to our hunger for the nations, and many would call us to be that special someone in the Spirit to them. But in all truth, we trust the Lord HIS increase in them, and never entertain for one moment the idea of being needed by the whole world. Not so!
I would rather father a few true maturing sons, responsible sons, sons of a New and NOW generation, sons who know their father's voice, and have a great interest in their father's vision as the fathers with their son's vision...sons who are about their {A} Heavenly Father's Business, and {B} Their spiritual - ministry father's business, as a son endures with the father more then in eating the revelation of the Spirit, but in walking in manifested sonship...
A lot was said beloved, but in all of the improper attitudes, there
are much more,
blessed attitudes. This is just a brief sharing of a much larger subject, so we just gave a few things for your edification and discernment...Feed the seed and Nurture the Nature, for by Divine Enlightenment you are Becoming What you already ARE! Apostolic blessings and do know that you are highly FLAVORED of the Lord...
Dr. Tim and Theresa Early
Koinonia International Network
Tim Early and Associates
832-882-4594
P.O. Box 1221
Cypress, TX 77410
