22/10/2026
What does it look like to be the Church Jesus intended us to be?
The APEST framework reminds us that the Church is called to live out five essential expressions of ministry:
🌍 A - Apostolic: We should always see ourselves as sent — taking the good news of Jesus beyond the walls of the church and into our communities.
🙏 P - Prophetic: We should always attend to God and His concerns — listening to His voice and aligning our hearts with His purposes.
❤️ E - Evangelistic: We should always share the story of Jesus and invite people into a living relationship with Him.
🤝 S - Shepherding: We should always nurture, maintain and develop healthy communities where people are loved, cared for and grow together.
📖 T - Teaching: We should always grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding, helping people know God's Word and live it out.
As Alan Hirsch would say, ‘The beauty is that we need ALL five!’
Not just one expression. Not just the one that comes most naturally to us. All are needed, every time and in every place.
When these expressions work together, the Church is better equipped to make disciples, develop leaders, build healthy communities and reach people with the love of Jesus.
💬 Which of these five expressions do you see most clearly in your church?
And which might God be inviting you to develop further?