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The Ongoing Role of Apostles in Missions: The Forgotten Foundation
Numerous trends are presently converging in ways that make this moment in mission history significant. These include the growth of short-term service, the multiplication of mission organizations, local churches sending missionaries without an agency, and the internationalization of missions. It is crucial in the midst of such change that we not lose connection with the New Testament model of the missionary apostles. Apostles, now commonly called missionaries, are God's gift for the initial planting phase of the church among every people, to the end of the age. This unique church-planting role is the forgotten foundation of the church. Much of the ineffectiveness in missions is due to our attempts to build Christ's church on a different foundation.
This book will examine five critical questions from the perspective of biblical scholarship, history, and contemporary
Why are missions-minded Evangelicals reluctant to identify missionaries as apostles, considering that the two words have the same root meaning?
How is apostolos used in the New Testament, and specifically, is it sometimes used as a designation for missionaries?
How should we conceptualize an ongoing role for missionary apostles that does not detract from the crucial, unique role of the original Apostles?
What ministry pattern does the New Testament record from the lives of the early missionary apostles?
How should an awareness of missionary apostles guide our mission efforts today?
This book will examine five critical questions from the perspective of biblical scholarship, history, and contemporary
Why are missions-minded Evangelicals reluctant to identify missionaries as apostles, considering that the two words have the same root meaning?
How is apostolos used in the New Testament, and specifically, is it sometimes used as a designation for missionaries?
How should we conceptualize an ongoing role for missionary apostles that does not detract from the crucial, unique role of the original Apostles?
What ministry pattern does the New Testament record from the lives of the early missionary apostles?
How should an awareness of missionary apostles guide our mission efforts today?
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 26, 2023
I felt like I was watching a man take out the engine of my car and replace it with a wooden contraption when I read The Ongoing Role of Apostles in Missions by Don Dent. As the chapters progressed, I was more and more sure that the car would not run. By the end of the book, after he had tightened up the final bolts and closed the hood, the car started up and worked. I was surprised, but I am concerned with how long that car will be able to run.
Here are some of the good things in this book:
Dent does good exegetical work in explaining the NT's use of the word 'apostle.'
In the closing chapter, Dent offers a number of conclusions and applications of his biblical work that were overwhelmingly good and a critique of the missionary model that makes the speed at which the work is done as the highest priority. He is concerned that few missionaries are willing to be “tent-makers” and are over dependent on outside funding to do their work (167), that sending churches micro-manage the missionaries they send (168), or that churches do not personally know their missionaries (171). He is concerned that some practitioners of the church planting movement see that Paul discipled people quickly and lean too far in the “quick” direction. (173) Dent believes that “We must protect evangelism, teaching, and church planting as the core of the mission task.” He wants to ensure that the church leans on God’s power, “We must deny, however, our tendency to turn missions into a technique or to seek the power of the Spirit more than seeking the Spirit of power.” (174)
Here is a point of concern:
Dent sees this “apostle missionary” as having authority from God and not from a local church. (77; see appendix 4) Dent does not believe that churches send out these kinds of missionaries, nor do they supervise them. (14) He sees these apostles as possessing “authority” to accomplish their task of establishing churches. According to Dent, the “apostles” are not accountable to local churches because they are called by God. One time he mentions a “senior apostle” who oversees his missionary team. (176) Dent’s understanding of the authority of an apostle applies what was unique about Paul’s authority to some missionaries today. This understanding opens the door for a missionary to be able to act as a kind of “bishop” to a number of churches, who is accountable to no one else. There are no clear boundaries on when a place comes out of the “apostle phase” and into the “established phase,” so an “apostle missionary” could hold that authority for an undefined period of time.
Dent builds a strange engine that still gets the car to a good place. He offers a critique to modern missionary movements that is needed. But for Dent to use the word “apostle” in a way that very few do makes it more difficult for him to enter the mission's conversation. I think because of how rigid he is with using that word, this book is not a good dialogue partner in the on-going conversation. But more significantly, I wonder how long the car will run with his suspicion of established local churches and the unchecked authority of “missionary apostles. That is a non-biblically prescribed position that is headed towards danger. Let’s hope he didn’t mess with the brakes.
Here are some of the good things in this book:
Dent does good exegetical work in explaining the NT's use of the word 'apostle.'
In the closing chapter, Dent offers a number of conclusions and applications of his biblical work that were overwhelmingly good and a critique of the missionary model that makes the speed at which the work is done as the highest priority. He is concerned that few missionaries are willing to be “tent-makers” and are over dependent on outside funding to do their work (167), that sending churches micro-manage the missionaries they send (168), or that churches do not personally know their missionaries (171). He is concerned that some practitioners of the church planting movement see that Paul discipled people quickly and lean too far in the “quick” direction. (173) Dent believes that “We must protect evangelism, teaching, and church planting as the core of the mission task.” He wants to ensure that the church leans on God’s power, “We must deny, however, our tendency to turn missions into a technique or to seek the power of the Spirit more than seeking the Spirit of power.” (174)
Here is a point of concern:
Dent sees this “apostle missionary” as having authority from God and not from a local church. (77; see appendix 4) Dent does not believe that churches send out these kinds of missionaries, nor do they supervise them. (14) He sees these apostles as possessing “authority” to accomplish their task of establishing churches. According to Dent, the “apostles” are not accountable to local churches because they are called by God. One time he mentions a “senior apostle” who oversees his missionary team. (176) Dent’s understanding of the authority of an apostle applies what was unique about Paul’s authority to some missionaries today. This understanding opens the door for a missionary to be able to act as a kind of “bishop” to a number of churches, who is accountable to no one else. There are no clear boundaries on when a place comes out of the “apostle phase” and into the “established phase,” so an “apostle missionary” could hold that authority for an undefined period of time.
Dent builds a strange engine that still gets the car to a good place. He offers a critique to modern missionary movements that is needed. But for Dent to use the word “apostle” in a way that very few do makes it more difficult for him to enter the mission's conversation. I think because of how rigid he is with using that word, this book is not a good dialogue partner in the on-going conversation. But more significantly, I wonder how long the car will run with his suspicion of established local churches and the unchecked authority of “missionary apostles. That is a non-biblically prescribed position that is headed towards danger. Let’s hope he didn’t mess with the brakes.
November 13, 2019
BEST BOOK ON APOSTLES EVER..APART FROM THE BIBLE
This book has shone a light into the depths of subject of apostleship. I feel this book will offend both set of people: those with a top down view about apostles, and those who believe they don’t exist.
I am not a Southern Baptist, some would define me as charismatic. This book is one of the best books I have ever read about apostleship. I have heard many sermons about this subject, ALL WITHOUT EXCEPTION, have left me unsatisfied and concerned. This book has left me satisfied, challenged and encouraged.
Don Dent has managed to put into words what I could not express. This book is definitely a thesis which was expanded. This could still be expanded especially comparing the apostle to the evangelist.
I am grateful for Don Dent and his skillful examination of the scriptures, history and practice to present a thoughtful and through examination of this needed topic.
After nearly 25 years of ministry I feel like this book will shape my next 25 years of ministry.
This book has shone a light into the depths of subject of apostleship. I feel this book will offend both set of people: those with a top down view about apostles, and those who believe they don’t exist.
I am not a Southern Baptist, some would define me as charismatic. This book is one of the best books I have ever read about apostleship. I have heard many sermons about this subject, ALL WITHOUT EXCEPTION, have left me unsatisfied and concerned. This book has left me satisfied, challenged and encouraged.
Don Dent has managed to put into words what I could not express. This book is definitely a thesis which was expanded. This could still be expanded especially comparing the apostle to the evangelist.
I am grateful for Don Dent and his skillful examination of the scriptures, history and practice to present a thoughtful and through examination of this needed topic.
After nearly 25 years of ministry I feel like this book will shape my next 25 years of ministry.
September 16, 2021
Don Dent does a great job outlining the use of apostle in the New Testament and clearing up many misperceptions about the term. Apostle should not be relegated just to the original 12 eyewitnesses of Christ and the resurrection. Most people associate apostle as a matter of special title and authority when the focus should be on function of the role abd gift of apostleship. There are numerous NT examples of apostles fulfilling the function as “sent ones” that go beyond the 12 disciples called by Jesus. This understanding has large implications for how we view missionaries in foreign contexts and the unique role they play in reaching the unreached among the nations. To Dent, apostle = missionary.
July 14, 2021
It's okay. He has great insights but I find some of his points wanting at times.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews