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What is an Apostolic Center

by Honey Stone
07/30/18
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First of all what is an apostle?
Most sources say it means “a sent one.”

What was an apostle in Biblical times?
When the Greek or Roman Empire conquered a city they sent out a team to establish their culture. They called this group apostles. The ruler sent them to different spheres of influence to guide the conquered people into their kingdom’s ways. Essentially, they were culture changers.

What is a metaphorical example of an apostle?
If you think of Lewis and Clark, they received specific instructions from Thomas Jefferson to explore the new territory with a team and to find a pathway to the Pacific Ocean. In addition, they were sent to create good relationships with the Natives as well as establish trading places.

These two men formed the team called the Corps Discovery. 59 men started on the trip but only 33 finished to accomplish the mission. There was only one woman sent on the trip and her name was Sacajawea. Her role was to navigate peace with the Native Americans. She also knew the landscape and she prevented some equipment and journals from tipping over into the river.

Sacajawea came in the middle of the journey after a winter of struggle.

Lewis was the more scientific adn big picture leader and Clark was more of an administrator who worked with the team on the practical things, but they worked together as equals.

What do some current apostolic centers do?
There are various kinds of apostolic centers. Mostly, these are places that do not focus on themselves. They are not like the typical navel-gazing church that says: Let’s only help ourselves. Churches are church-minded (body). Apostolic centers are kingdom-minded (culture).

Many times apostolic centers network with other ministries and churches.

Most are training places to equip the saints. Apostolic Centers usually don’t say, “What can you do for this center?” Instead, they help the saints discover what their purpose is and help launch Christians into those God-given strategies/blueprints.

Apostolic centers are known to say, “How can we help you with your calling?” Whereas, in a typical church, most people are asked to follow the pastor’s vision.

Pastors usually have a team of elders.

Apostolic centers do not have elders because it really is not about one leader. Many speakers and leaders flow through that place because it is about what God is doing. It is much more fluid than a church.

A vision from Peter Wagner about Apostolic Centers.
Lance Wallanau teaches on apostolic centers as related to Peter Wagner vision. The premise is that when a regional, national or global issue comes up, then the center finds Kingdom-minded saints connected to that sphere of influence. That group can pray Heaven into that issue and then move (a prophetic act or practical task or cultural strategy) on Earth to establish the Lord’s will on that issue. This is what quickly and truly changes the culture.

Although apostolic centers are fairly new, they have been around for about forty years.

Apostalic Churches
Some places are called apostalic churches. They are churches that are transitioning into an apostalic center. They still have the basic structure of a church with a focus on the body and the pastor but are grasping the apostalic mentality as they move deeper into their apostalic identity and destiny.