Microsoft Word - Apostolic Alignment

Chapter 4: Founders & Grounders

I will never forget in 1989 when I was minding my own business while driving the car, and the Spirit suddenly asked me a question: "Are you a Founder or are you a Grounder?" I have to admit that I was a bit surprised at the question, and a bit clueless about how to answer too. But because it was the Lord asking me the question I felt obligated to answer it. My reply was a bit wishy-washy, but the whole concept was brand new to me. I said, "Well, Lord, I guess I am a founder more than a grounder." He seemed to reply, "OK, good, now you know." That one little nugget from the Lord has been somewhat of a lifelong progressive revelation for me. Over the years I have come to realize that there are two divisions to the five-fold ministry. There are the Founders and there are the Grounders. The founding ministries are Apostle and Prophet. The grounding ministries are Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. FOUNDING is a SUDDENLY THING. Grounding is a LONG TERM THING. Founders thrive on pioneering and establishing things and grounders thrive on maintaining and improving things. Founders are like sprinters. Grounders are like long distance runners. Evangelists GROUND sinners into Christ. Pastors and Teachers GROUND saints in God's Word and Christian maturity. The worst thing that can happen is for a FOUNDER not to know he is a FOUNDER, and to try fit himself into the mold of a GROUNDER. The second worst thing is for THE PEOPLE not to understand that their leader is a FOUNDER, and by default, try to fit their leader into the more familiar expectations of a GROUNDER. FOUNDERS tend to be more unpredictable than GROUNDERS. But we need both divisions of leaders in the body of Christ. Both divisions are of equal value to the Lord, but not necessarily of equal authority in the Lord. John The Baptist taught that "a man can do nothing of himself, but only what is given to Him by God." Understanding Levels Of Anointing & Authority In the past we have not understood the functions of each of the five-fold offices. We assumed that APOSTLES apostle (whatever that means?). We assumed that PROPHETS prophesy. We also said that EVANGELISTS evangelize, PASTORS shepherd, and TEACHERS teach. And that was about all we understood. We had each office neatly defined and tightly wrapped. But I believe that the Lord has shown me how the five-fold ministry really works both by observation of men of God over the years, and also by revelation.

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