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Take the APEST Test ...
APEST is an online assessment tool designed to assist you in finding your ministry style in relation to the fivefold ministry of Ephesians 4:7,11-12.
Apostolic, Prophetic, Evangelist, Shepherd and Teacher
"But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned It is he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be shepherd and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
What can I expect from the assessment?
You will answer a series of 50 question pairs. Trust your gut reaction. The whole assessment will take no more than 10 minutes, and you will immediately receive your results.
How does it help me find my "ministry style"?
By answering with your gut reaction, it will show you which types of things motivate you and how that motivation is expressed. It won't tell you a specific area of ministry you should go into, but will give a general idea of the types of causes that you will feel most comfortable in. Because of the rigorous mathematical validation of the APEST test, you can rely on the scoring to give you an accurate picture of your wiring for ministry.
What sort of results will I get back?
What sort of results will I get back?
You will receive and online results profile. You will see your score (1 - 50) for each of the five different ministry types. While they are all important, the top two carry the most significance.
What is the difference between the first and second score?
Your first score (or primary 1) is your motivation or the thing that fuels your passion. Your second score (or Primary 2), represent the expression of your motivation. For example, The Apostle-Shepherd is an expander of the kingdom, humanizing causes, mission and purpose. If a persons motivation isn't being met, often you will not see their expression. In other words, if an Apostle-Shepherd isn't involved in expanding someTHING, they may not have as great a passion for nurturing those involved.
Are these the same as spiritual gifts?
Yes and No. APEST results explain how you use your gifting in life and ministry contexts, and give meaning and context to your spiritual gifts. It can also point you to ministry roles in which you will be particularly effective.
Take the APEST Assessment and discover the fullness you were made for.
What would be the "secular" terminology to describe each of these functions?
The APOSTLE is the entrepreneur: Innovator and cultural architect who initiates a new product, or service, and develops the organization. Apostles extend the gospel. As the “sent ones,” they ensure that the faith is transmitted from one context to another and from one generation to the next. They are always thinking about the future, bridging barriers, establishing the church in new contexts, developing leaders, networking trans-locally. Yet, if you focus solely on initiating new ideas and rapid expansion, you can leave people and organizations wounded. The shepherding and teaching functions are needed to ensure people are cared for rather than simply used.
The PROPHET is the questioner: Provocateur who probes awareness and fosters questioning of current programming leading to organizational learning. Prophets know God's will. They are particularly attuned to God and his truth for today. They bring correction and challenge the dominant assumptions we inherit from the culture. They insist that the community obey what God has commanded. They question the status quo. Without the other types of leaders in place, prophets can become belligerent activists or, paradoxically, disengage from the imperfection of reality and become other-worldly.
The EVANGELIST is the communicator: Recruiter to the organization who markets the idea or product and gains loyalty to a brand or cause. Evangelists recruit. These infectious communicators of the gospel message recruit others to the cause. They call for a personal response to God's redemption in Christ, and also draw believers to engage the wider mission, growing the church. Evangelists can be so focused on reaching those outside the church that maturing and strengthening those inside is neglected.
The SHEPHERD is the humanizer: People-oriented motivator who fosters a healthy relational environment through the management of meaning. Shepherds nurture and protect. Caregivers of the community, they focus on the protection and spiritual maturity of God's flock, cultivating a loving and spiritually mature network of relationships, making and developing disciples. Shepherds can value stability to the detriment of the mission. They may also foster an unhealthy dependence between the church and themselves.
The TEACHER is the philosopher: Systems-thinker who is able to clearly articulate the organizational ideology in a way as to advance corporate learning. Teachers understand and explain. Communicators of God's truth and wisdom, they help others remain biblically grounded to better discern God's will, guiding others toward wisdom, helping the community remain faithful to Christ's word, and constructing a transferable doctrine. Without the input of the other functions, teachers can fall into dogmatism or dry intellectualism. They may fail to see the personal or missional aspects of the church's ministry.