(APEST) Apostolic + Teaching: This explains a lot!

I've been casting a lot of vision lately . . . talking to several different pastors about a renewed mission of reaching 1000s in the Northwest with the Gospel of Jesus.

In the process of doing this, I've been asking myself some very difficult questions about my strengths and weaknesses and about my role and capacity in the body of Christ.

I remembered hearing about an online ministry strength assessment test created by Alan Hirsch called APEST (Apostolic | Prophetic | Evangelistic | Shepherding | Teaching) based on the realities of Ephesians 4:11-12.

So last night after my prayer time of seeking the Lord, I paid the $10 and took the test.

The results? According to this simple 50 question test, my ministry strengths are as follows:

Apostolic 32
Teaching 32
Evangelistic 25
Prophetic 24
Shepherding 3

Apostolic + Teaching?  That makes sense!

Here's the assessment of the Apostolic + Teaching combination:

The Apostle Teacher inspires by communicating the need to pioneer new endeavors. The AT takes time to explain so others understand the dynamics of mission. The AT has a keen sense of systems, particularly the inherent logic of Christianity as a whole. The AT is creative and inventive with words, moving people forward with new ideas. The AT promotes active learning in the process of mission. The motivation of the Apostle Teacher is the urgency of taking the Faith outward, crossing boundaries of understanding to reach those who need to know. The AT is thus a natural activist-philosopher - ideas serve the cause.

My primary strength is Apostolic.  The Apostolic has the ministry impact of extension, and is the one who is sent.

Here's a short description about the Apostolic ministry strength which I feel very accurately identifies who I am:

• Visionary thinking and motivation.
• Comfortable crossing boundaries - intellectual, social or cultural.
• Entrepreneurial interests to build communities of faith.
• Starting something new is energizing.
• Pioneering new endeavors.
• Strategic decision maker.
• Innovative approaches and solutions.
• Uncomfortable with the status quo.
• See things holistically, part of larger system.
• Understands multiple dynamics and components.
• Deep relationships at a distance, in outside networks.
• Need to move occasionally to pursue a new thing.

Here's the assessment to the Apostolic strength:

Cast vision to those around you. Do not be afraid to let your passion and excitement ignite others lives. Listen to the questions and comments of others. Often, these elements will identify details needing to be integrated into your message, providing greater clarity. Do not fear over-explaining why certain people, organizations and resources are necessary to stabilize the vision . . . What you see as needed to further a missional cause may not be immediately seen by those near you.

I think this affirmation sheds a lot of light upon my role and capacity in the body of Christ; and it helps identify so many of the pulls and struggles that I feel intrinsically within . . .

Take the test for yourself here.