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The Permanent Revolution: Apostolic Imagination and Practice for the 21st Century Church
A new brand of apostolic ministry for today's world The Permanent Revolution is a groundbreaking work of theological re-imagination that focuses on the twin issues of ministry and leadership appropriate to our times. The authors draw widely from the areas of biblical studies, theology, organizational theory, leadership studies, and the social sciences, to make a comprehensive case for on the abiding significance of the Ephesians 4 vocations of apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd and teacher in the church that Jesus intended. They particularly emphasize the strategic importance of the apostolic role for generating missional movements, facilitating ongoing renewal in the life of the church, stimulating ecclesial innovation, and creating adaptive but highly sustainable organizations.
This seminal book will likely initiate a much needed re-assessment about how we think of, and subsequently do, ministry in 21st Century contexts.
This seminal book will likely initiate a much needed re-assessment about how we think of, and subsequently do, ministry in 21st Century contexts.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2012
104 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Alan Hirsch
92 books81 followersAlan Hirsch is the founding director of Forge Mission Training Network. Currently he co-leads Future Travelers, an innovative learning program helping megachurches become missional movements. Known for his innovative approach to mission, Alan is considered to be a thought-leader and key mission strategist for churches across the Western world. Hirsch is the author of The Forgotten Ways; co-author of The Shaping of Things to Come, ReJesus, and The Faith of Leap (with Michael Frost); Untamed (with Debra Hirsch); Right Here, Right Now (with Lance Ford), and On the Verge (with Dave Ferguson).
Alan is co-founder and adjunct faculty for the M.A. in Missional Church Movements at Wheaton College (Illinois). He is also adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary, George Fox Seminary, among others, and he lectures frequently throughout Australia, Europe, and the United States. He is series editor for Baker Books' Shapevine series , IVP's Forge line, and an associate editor of Leadership Journal.
His experience in leadership includes leading a local church movement among the marginalized as well as heading up the Mission and Revitalization work of his denomination. He has been on leadership team with Christian Associates, a mission agency planting churches throughout Europe. Alan is adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary and lectures frequently throughout Australia, Europe, and the U.S
Alan is co-founder and adjunct faculty for the M.A. in Missional Church Movements at Wheaton College (Illinois). He is also adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary, George Fox Seminary, among others, and he lectures frequently throughout Australia, Europe, and the United States. He is series editor for Baker Books' Shapevine series , IVP's Forge line, and an associate editor of Leadership Journal.
His experience in leadership includes leading a local church movement among the marginalized as well as heading up the Mission and Revitalization work of his denomination. He has been on leadership team with Christian Associates, a mission agency planting churches throughout Europe. Alan is adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary and lectures frequently throughout Australia, Europe, and the U.S
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 29, 2025
I wish this book were divided into two smaller books. The content was rich enough to warrant two books at best, redundant and too jargon-y at worst. In any case, the first book could focus on how Ephesians 4 provides a better (and New Testament-located!) leadership function framework for the local church as opposed to older frameworks like the prophet-priest-king model that was likely popular in the early 2000s and in various seminary courses. The second book could be a study of applying systems design to church planting, which could make it more palatable for those outside the missional church movement (and even rooted in a theology of general revelation?). Overall, 5 for content and applicability, 3 for style, structure, and need for editing.
April 4, 2012
Five stars for content, three for style. The call for the church to return to true apostolic leadership and vision working in conjunction with the entirety of the Ephesians based five fold ministry is invaluable. The verbose and redundant writing is in desperate need of a good editor and in danger of providing overload due to repetition. This very important book is about 100 pages too long. Nonetheless, it is a necessary read and fits squarely within the context of new wineskins in the church. We are in desperate need of true leadership provided by apostolic giftings. The alternative is to continue with the irrelevant and never intended pastor/teacher model of church structure. A permanent revolution indeed. It is to what we are called.
May 6, 2023
I went back and forth with my thoughts on this book. On one hand, I felt the authors integrated some ideas that came from outside scripture. On the other hand, however, I think this is a much-needed book for the church today. As the authors' advocate, the body of Christ has drifted far from utilizing the spiritual gifts Jesus has given it--even censoring some of the most essential gifts. Most of the book elaborates on how the gift of apostleship is a critical factor for the success of the church. While I didn't agree with every part of the book, I was convinced of their thesis. It is a very solid read and I would definitely recommend it.
October 30, 2022
This book has basically changed my life and how I view the church as a whole and those who make up the church (all believers). It really expounds in a textbook and geeky way on the five fold ministry and what that could look like. Adam and I read the first half of this book a few years ago and I just finished the last half of it. It is seriously incredible, but will probably be a difficult read if you don’t want to geek-out on church government, organization, and operation. I came across this book when I decided to write a guy in New Zealand that I heard speak on the five-fold, and ask “So what really is an apostle?” This book recommendation was what I got. Strongly recommend if you’re brave enough to tackle it.
December 7, 2016
Alan Hirsch and Tim Catchim’s latest book, Permanent Revolution, certainly provides some food for thought. It’s the most thorough treatment of APEST (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher) that I’ve seen. APEST, obviously, has huge implications in the world of church planting and Christian leadership.
One thought that stood out to me is the assertion that all believers, not just leaders, fall somewhere on this spectrum. Whatever gifts God has given them, they tend to concentrate in one of these five areas.
One thought that stood out to me is the assertion that all believers, not just leaders, fall somewhere on this spectrum. Whatever gifts God has given them, they tend to concentrate in one of these five areas.
March 15, 2017
Am only a few chapters into this book but it's quite enlightening as it pushes you to think beyond tradition. It's like, finally, someone "gets it" and can articulate very well the things that run through my mind on a regular basis! Getting lots of questions answered and am really encouraged by what I see here! ...lots of possibilities!
June 15, 2012
If you want to understand the true meaning of what it means to be an apostle read this book.
August 29, 2019
Heavy vocabulary. At times, focus and content were lost. However, there were interesting parallels and examples of life. Great good research!
October 25, 2021
A very thorough look at the role of the apostolic gifting that is needed to keep the Church faithful to its mission.
I appreciated the divers sources the authors pulled from to build their case and present their perspectives.
The scholarly nature of the book made it a less than easy read for me and required some time for me to get thru (partly because i was often prone to pick up other easier reads rather than work thru this one). But I was always glad when I finally came back to this book as I was always rewarded with great insights.
I expect I'll return to this book over the years to consult on how to avoid coming to rest in dead institutionalism.
May the Permanent Revolution continue till we fulfill His call and there is No Place Left where Jesus is not worshipped.
I appreciated the divers sources the authors pulled from to build their case and present their perspectives.
The scholarly nature of the book made it a less than easy read for me and required some time for me to get thru (partly because i was often prone to pick up other easier reads rather than work thru this one). But I was always glad when I finally came back to this book as I was always rewarded with great insights.
I expect I'll return to this book over the years to consult on how to avoid coming to rest in dead institutionalism.
May the Permanent Revolution continue till we fulfill His call and there is No Place Left where Jesus is not worshipped.
September 30, 2024
I loved this book, especially because so few resources exist on the topic. I would love to know how to integrate this thinking into established denominational structures, rather than just tossing the institution.
March 27, 2019
Must read for understanding apostolic ministry
All current and next gen church leaders must read this book to understand what God is doing. Please read it!
All current and next gen church leaders must read this book to understand what God is doing. Please read it!
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February 25, 2020Very powerful !
June 10, 2021
A must read for anyone interested in APEST leadership. Also a great book on missional movements as a whole.
June 22, 2023
I couldn't finish it. I think the book's ideas would be better digested via Alan's video teachings, or a popular-level read. As is, the book is dry and flat.
August 9, 2012
If Galations is the Magna Carta of Christian Freedom, Ephesians is the Constitution of the church. Catchim and Hirsch pick up this thread from Markus Barth, and then leverage it in their appropriation of Ephesians 4.
In "The Permanent Revolution" (TPR), Catchim and Hirsch nail their theses to the door of the western church. Without a recovery of her missing gifts, the church in the west will continue her decline. H and C hope that the HS will light the church afire so the world can watch her burn.
Dynamically, this requires a recovery of sentness as apostolic mission. Theologically, it requires a rediscovery of the five-fold gifts, not as a programmatic solution to the crisis of relevance or as a new method for church growth, but as a recovery of missing DNA. Socially, it is a re-legitimation of the role of apostles, prophets and evangelists (the APEs) as central in the day to day life and operations of local churches.
Passionate, provocative, and accessible (the book is filled with diagrams and with a correlative approach to theology using insights from leadership and organizational science) this is an important book. It pulls together threads from the many previous books of Frost and Hirsch, and in some ways is a “Shaping of Things to Come, II.” Hirsch and Catchim come out swinging, but with the love and care and clarity that is needed in this moment.
In one of the key arguments, TPR postulates two apostolic types: Pauline and Petrine, each with a unique orientation. The Pauline type is the founder, risk-taker, and pioneer. The Petrine type is the re-founder, more comfortable working on established tracks but re-imagining and re-orienting. They also take another step, connecting each type with Myers-Briggs categories (see this diagram).
TPR, like most books involving Hirsch, is visionary. It is destined to be a landmark book, a turning point in the visibility, if not the viability, of this particular conversation. But it will require more than a renewed imagination, more than a sense of “I have seen the map, isn’t it wonderful?” It will require a prayerful and repentant response. It will require Christian leaders, both denominational and local, to get on their knees and ask “What do I do?”
It will require a Trinitarian response – a willing submission to the Spirit as He continues to unfold His purpose. It will require all of us to humbly submit ourselves to the kingdom purposes of Jesus as active Lord of his church, laying aside our own ego-agendas and rolling up our sleeves as we go to work with the Father in finding the ancient ways, and walking in them.
“By proclaiming the reign of God over all things the church acts out its faith that the Father of Jesus is indeed ruler of all. The church, by inviting all humankind to share in the mystery of the presence of the kingdom hidden in its life through its union with the crucified and risen life of Jesus, acts out the love of Jesus that took him to the cross. By obediently following where the Spirit leads, often in ways neither planned, known, nor understood, the church acts out the hope that it is given by the presence of the Spirit who is the living foretaste of the kingdom.” (Newbigin, "The Open Secret," 64)
In "The Permanent Revolution" (TPR), Catchim and Hirsch nail their theses to the door of the western church. Without a recovery of her missing gifts, the church in the west will continue her decline. H and C hope that the HS will light the church afire so the world can watch her burn.
Dynamically, this requires a recovery of sentness as apostolic mission. Theologically, it requires a rediscovery of the five-fold gifts, not as a programmatic solution to the crisis of relevance or as a new method for church growth, but as a recovery of missing DNA. Socially, it is a re-legitimation of the role of apostles, prophets and evangelists (the APEs) as central in the day to day life and operations of local churches.
Passionate, provocative, and accessible (the book is filled with diagrams and with a correlative approach to theology using insights from leadership and organizational science) this is an important book. It pulls together threads from the many previous books of Frost and Hirsch, and in some ways is a “Shaping of Things to Come, II.” Hirsch and Catchim come out swinging, but with the love and care and clarity that is needed in this moment.
In one of the key arguments, TPR postulates two apostolic types: Pauline and Petrine, each with a unique orientation. The Pauline type is the founder, risk-taker, and pioneer. The Petrine type is the re-founder, more comfortable working on established tracks but re-imagining and re-orienting. They also take another step, connecting each type with Myers-Briggs categories (see this diagram).
TPR, like most books involving Hirsch, is visionary. It is destined to be a landmark book, a turning point in the visibility, if not the viability, of this particular conversation. But it will require more than a renewed imagination, more than a sense of “I have seen the map, isn’t it wonderful?” It will require a prayerful and repentant response. It will require Christian leaders, both denominational and local, to get on their knees and ask “What do I do?”
It will require a Trinitarian response – a willing submission to the Spirit as He continues to unfold His purpose. It will require all of us to humbly submit ourselves to the kingdom purposes of Jesus as active Lord of his church, laying aside our own ego-agendas and rolling up our sleeves as we go to work with the Father in finding the ancient ways, and walking in them.
“By proclaiming the reign of God over all things the church acts out its faith that the Father of Jesus is indeed ruler of all. The church, by inviting all humankind to share in the mystery of the presence of the kingdom hidden in its life through its union with the crucified and risen life of Jesus, acts out the love of Jesus that took him to the cross. By obediently following where the Spirit leads, often in ways neither planned, known, nor understood, the church acts out the hope that it is given by the presence of the Spirit who is the living foretaste of the kingdom.” (Newbigin, "The Open Secret," 64)
April 12, 2023
This is not a good book if you're trying to be a church that returns to the historic faith.
The red flags start appearing in the first chapter, where the authors say that no serious exploration of five-fold ministry has been written in the history of the church, and this they say can only be the work of the devil.
It reminded me very much of Zwingli, who in his day concluded, regarding baptism, that "all the doctors of the church have been in error since the time of the apostles". Statements like this should tell you that an author has entirely too much trust in his own understanding.
In chapter 5, the authors express their amazement at how the church "has been able to sustain itself for over seventeen centuries without a fully legitimized form". And if you read the Appendix article about the legitimacy of continuing apostolic ministry, it looks like they meant to say it was 19 centuries, as they put together a story about how the first Christian generation was scattered and therefore created leadership structures according to what was familiar in their society. The footnotes to this article name Ignatius of Antioch and Clement of Rome as some of the misguided leaders who introduced a humanistic model of leadership.
The problem is, these roles which Clement and Ignatius named (deacon, elder, bishop) are found in the New Testament. And both Ignatius and Clement are known for their connection to the apostles. The fact that these two lived in different cities and testified to a leadership model that was basically the same ought to reinforce our confidence in their witness.
Not only are these roles named in the N.T., but character requirements are spelled out for such roles. The first deacons were "men of good reputation, being full of the Spirit and wisdom". The requirements for these roles are maturity and holiness in their lives.
No such listings of requirements appear for APEST giftings that would reflect the weight of responsibility needed for leadership. This is where personality tests come in, and become the replacement for character. I've been in a church where leadership roles went out to certain personality types, and I'm afraid the church suffers much for this.
Admittedly, before I began reading this, I was not convinced that there can be apostles today, and I only feel surer of that now.
The red flags start appearing in the first chapter, where the authors say that no serious exploration of five-fold ministry has been written in the history of the church, and this they say can only be the work of the devil.
It reminded me very much of Zwingli, who in his day concluded, regarding baptism, that "all the doctors of the church have been in error since the time of the apostles". Statements like this should tell you that an author has entirely too much trust in his own understanding.
In chapter 5, the authors express their amazement at how the church "has been able to sustain itself for over seventeen centuries without a fully legitimized form". And if you read the Appendix article about the legitimacy of continuing apostolic ministry, it looks like they meant to say it was 19 centuries, as they put together a story about how the first Christian generation was scattered and therefore created leadership structures according to what was familiar in their society. The footnotes to this article name Ignatius of Antioch and Clement of Rome as some of the misguided leaders who introduced a humanistic model of leadership.
The problem is, these roles which Clement and Ignatius named (deacon, elder, bishop) are found in the New Testament. And both Ignatius and Clement are known for their connection to the apostles. The fact that these two lived in different cities and testified to a leadership model that was basically the same ought to reinforce our confidence in their witness.
Not only are these roles named in the N.T., but character requirements are spelled out for such roles. The first deacons were "men of good reputation, being full of the Spirit and wisdom". The requirements for these roles are maturity and holiness in their lives.
No such listings of requirements appear for APEST giftings that would reflect the weight of responsibility needed for leadership. This is where personality tests come in, and become the replacement for character. I've been in a church where leadership roles went out to certain personality types, and I'm afraid the church suffers much for this.
Admittedly, before I began reading this, I was not convinced that there can be apostles today, and I only feel surer of that now.
June 23, 2013
This book lays out the biblical definition of what makes up the church and how to turn the church from "monument" to "movement." Page after page I came across "new" ways to view age old scriptures that I thought I had understood. The book starts out strong, lags in the middle, but really picks up near the end. Tough it out, I assure you that you and your church will benefit from the read. Become aware of your function and giftedness (APEST) within the body and fill that roll you have been called to for the growth of the church and her mission.
Be aware that this book is quite academic and can bog you down if not aware of it. Fight through the dry parts because there are sparkling gems scattered throughout.
Be aware that this book is quite academic and can bog you down if not aware of it. Fight through the dry parts because there are sparkling gems scattered throughout.
August 24, 2015
Meh.
Ok. Honestly there's a ton of 'common sense' stuff in here. I'm not sure we are 'gifted' APEST gifts as much as they simply evolve in us, at different times and in different forms. Our 'nurture' seems to be a bigger driver of these 'gifts'. I can see how this would be beneficial to a group, but I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with the information.... other than join a group. But in my 'day-to-day', this isn't a game changer; just a systematic take on Ephesians 3 and 4.
Ok. Honestly there's a ton of 'common sense' stuff in here. I'm not sure we are 'gifted' APEST gifts as much as they simply evolve in us, at different times and in different forms. Our 'nurture' seems to be a bigger driver of these 'gifts'. I can see how this would be beneficial to a group, but I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with the information.... other than join a group. But in my 'day-to-day', this isn't a game changer; just a systematic take on Ephesians 3 and 4.
May 9, 2015
A healthy dose of articulate "what" and "why" but lacking on imagining "how." Hirsch and Ferguson's "On the Verge" supplies more of that "how" component, but a lot of material on apostleship is presented here that could use a bit more in terms of practical or tangible processing. Still a good book; well worth reading if you're involved in church planting or re-planting.
July 24, 2012
The BEST book I've read on the fivefold ministry gifts (Ephesians 4). This book recovers the role of the apostle, prophet, and evangelist that has been lost in Christendom for years. Hirsch highlights the importance of the apostle in starting Jesus movements.
A must read for church leaders and/or anyone who wants to see God's "kingdom come and His will be done on earth..."
A must read for church leaders and/or anyone who wants to see God's "kingdom come and His will be done on earth..."
August 15, 2012
I have read many books on the five-fold ministry along with the apostolic and this is by far the best. It is a well thought out presentation, detailed, practical and well rounded approach to the subject. I highly recommend reading this book. If you are looking for a charismatic approach to this subject then this is not the book for you, but you can definetly glean from the authors perspective.
January 30, 2014
I like Alan Hirsch. This is my fourth or fifth book of his. The first 150 pages or so were quality, vintage Hirsch. Then for the next 150 pages it seemed like every few pages of a synopsis of something covered in more detail in another Hirsch book. Disappointing. I appreciated the overview of modal/sodal toward the end and overall the book is of value. Thus, the three stars.
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February 22, 2016I have just started reading this book and I am on chapter 2 so far it is an excellent academic review of the fivefold ministry found any Ephesians chapter 4 verse 11. Alan Hirsch does a tremendous job by explaining the fivefold ministry with many charts and diagrams. He challenges the Western church to change by installing the fivefold ministry government.
August 15, 2016
Hirsch and Catchim do a marvelous job weaving together the various academic fields and methodologies demanded of missiology. The result is a rare text that offers a biblical model that resonates with historical data and offers powerful guidance for engaging in the mission of God through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit today.
September 4, 2012
A truly ground-breaking book discussing the role of the Apostolic gift in and for the Church in the 21st century. Not only does it give good pointers on what a truly apostolic movement should look like but also talks about the other gifts and how all of the gifts are so needed. Truly insightful.
March 14, 2013
One of the most important books about the emerging future of the church. Whatever else we want to say, the reality is that the church has limited its ministry by ignoring the ministry of prophets, evangelists, and apostles.
June 7, 2013
Tim Catchim is a genius. He and Alan Hirsch are able to bring great clarity to the five fold ministry conversation with this text. I found it an insightful read with plenty of new insights to bring a balanced and hopeful approach to how we look at the Holy Spirit's gifting a within the church.
June 14, 2016
It was fun to read a book that affirms the increasing call I feel God is inviting me to live. I particularly liked the distinction between Petrine and Pauline apostleship. I have largely operated in the Petrine world but wonder if some of my gifting would also lend itself to Pauline.
February 20, 2013
Not bad. The book had some helpful insight in building ministry teams. The details of the "apostolic" ministry are thorough, but laborious at times.
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February 12, 2013can't wait to read it again. So much stuff! Love the chapter on Gospel expansion not church planting. Very challenging!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews