Pioneering Movements: Leadership That Multiplies Disciples and Churches

by Steve Addison

The Twelve were, therefore, pioneering leaders and models of apostolic ministry. They were with Jesus in his pioneering ministry, and they laid the foundations for the church in its (Jewish) infancy. Their uniqueness lay not in their function as apostles and pioneers, but in their unique calling as witnesses and guardians of the gospel. The Twelve were apostles par excellence, but they were not the only apostles. 2. A wider group of itinerant missionaries and church planters also known as apostles. Another, wider, group also known as apostles shared the call to go into all the world and make disciples. They were pioneer church planters. However, they did not share the same unique place in God’s purposes as witnesses to the resurrection and guardians of apostolic doctrine. Scripture differentiates between the unique role of the Twelve (and Paul) as the authoritative witnesses to the resurrection and those who functioned as apostles in spreading the gospel, training disciples and multiplying churches. The Twelve and Paul also shared in this functional ministry of apostleship. The unique role of the Twelve and Paul as authoritative witnesses ended with them and the writing of the New Testament. Yet Jesus continues to call pioneers to lead his people into the fullness of what it means to be a missionary movement.