A Shift in Leadership

The Transition

in an apostolic call. Many leaders cannot move fully into the ministry God has for them because the leadership structure is not in place for them to be released. Many of these leaders are not free to move out into a larger ministry because of the restraint placed upon them through tradition. If an apostolic leader cannot leave the church, for even a short period of time, then something is wrong. We should not build churches to depend upon one leader. If leaders do not move into new positions, they will die spiritually within the four walls of the church. They will experience dryness, and their ministries will become routine. They will be unhappy and unsatisfied, even though it may look successful on the outside. On the inside, these ministers will feel empty. Many are afraid to transition because they think the church is dependent upon them. Many have built their churches to depend upon them and have found satisfaction in feeling indispensable. Now they are locked into a pastoral mode and unable to move out, even though the Holy Spirit is leading them to do so. Many are afraid to leave their churches for any period of time and operate in a call to the larger body of Christ. If most leaders would leave their churches for any period of time to do apostolic ministry, their churches would fall apart. This is not to imply that an apostle must give up a local work completely. It simply means that you must be able to obey God without losing what you have spent years building. You must build your ministry in such a way that you are not tied down, but are free to

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