APEPT Matrix(also known as APEST)

source: Alan Hirsch

MIN 4033

Read Ephesians 4:1-16

v.1-6 Church Unity

v. 7,11,16 Grace gifts

Ministry= diversity in unity

v. 11 APEPT

Matrix

v. 12 Why

APEPT? Equip for service

v. 12 ff Community & maturity for growth

A.P.E.P.T.—Fivefold Ministry

• It’s charismatic (“grace gifting”) for function not office

• Churches cannot mature without it: “tossed about, immature, infantile, docile” (Eph 4.14)– PROBLEM:

evangelists made itinerant & marginalized, apostles & prophets ostracized or ignored

• All five need to function for balance in ministry• Everyone in your church fits into one of the five

Functions of the Fivefold Ministry

• Apostolic function– operates translocally, pioneers in new work, oversees

development, strategizes, establishes• Prophetic function– discerns spiritual realities in given situations, disturbs,

questions, communicates them in timely & appropriate way to further the mission of God’s people

• Evangelistic function– communicates the gospel in such a way that people

respond in faith and discipleship, recruits, W.O.O.

Functions of the Fivefold Ministry

• Pastoral function– Shepherds God’s people by leading, nurturing,

protecting and caring for us. Community glue.

• Teaching function– Communicates the revealed wisdom of God for

God’s people to learn how to obey all that Christ commands us. Systematizes, connects present and future to the past

Remember:

• Primary functions areas of ministry– But not mutually exclusive

• Apostle may still preach & teach• Prophets may still evangelize

• Leaders are APEPT=Leadership matrix• Everyone is APEPT=Ministry matrix– The whole church is in ministry together guided by leaders

with a “calling within a calling” or a community within a community

Role of Apostle

• Demands of today

• EXTENSION

• Urgency of tomorrow

• One who is sent & establish

Define Focus

MyopiaImpact

Role of Prophet

• Demands of today

• UNDERSTANDS

• Demands of today in light of tomorrow

• One who knows the direction

Define Focus

MyopiaImpact

Role of Evangelist

• Demands of today• EXPANSION

• Urgency of today

• One who recruits/WOO

Define Focus

MyopiaImpact

Role of Pastor

• Urgency of tomorrow

• NURTURE

• Demands of today

• One who cares

Define Focus

MyopiaImpact

Role of Teacher

• Allows time to pass too quickly

• INTEGRATION

• Demands of past & present in light of the future: whole

• One who explains & guards

Define Focus

MyopiaImpact

Entrepreneurgroundbreaker and strategist initiating organism’s mission

APEPT

Apostle

Questionerdisturbs status quo/challenges org to move in new direction

APEPT

Apostle

Prophet

Communicator/Recruitertakes org’s message to outsiders, W.O.O. “sells” it to them/convinces

APEPT

Apostle

Prophet

Evangelist

Humanizersprovides organizational glue by caring for insiders

APEPT

Apostle

Prophet

EvangelistPastors

Systematizers/Trainersorganizes various parts into working unit &

articulates structure to other members

APEPT

Apostle

Prophet

EvangelistPastors

Teachers

Super-charged Synergycomes about as different grace-giftings pull together in harmony & unity to build the

church

APEPT

Apostle

Prophet

EvangelistPastors

Teachers

APEPT Possibilities

• It’s organic: – body, ligaments, balance of diversity in unity– in the church’s DNA (another organic metaphor)

• It’s reproducible – at local, district, regional, global levels– always someone capable of 1/5 of the ministry in a

Christian grouping (Eph 4.7, 11-12)• It’s self-sustaining & regenerative– the APEPT matrix causes growth & maturity (Eph 4.14-

16)