Apostolic Leadership and Creativity – Bernadette Miles

What does it mean to be an Apostle?

To be an apostle is to be ‘one who is sent out … to carry on the work of Jesus’ -

‘I came that they may have life and have it abundantly’ (Jn 10:10, NRSV)

It means to believe in abundance, not scarcity and to take risks and trust that God will provide all we need -

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

(Mt 14:21)

That the power of Holy Spirit is fully alive and present in our ministry and to expect grace to give energy to our work;

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)

and know that God will use us for the building of the Kingdom.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (Jn 15:16)

Although there is no guarantee that God will act in a certain way, we are called to ‘plant our feet firmly in midair and march on in faith, hope and trust’.[i] It is risky, but it is generative.

[i] William Barry. ‘Discernment of Spirits as an Act of Faith’. Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction. Volume 7, No 3, (October 2001).