The term "apostle" literally translates as "sent forth one." In New Testament times the original 12 Apostles were sent forth as direct representatives of The Boss Himself. Their job then was to do the work of Big CEO. These men were given authority by Jesus to teach, preach, heal people, and cast out demons. They were charged by Christ Himself to "make disciples" of all nations.

For a deeper description of what this means, an apostle is also defined as one who pioneers and establishes. These people are the leaders that take us into uncharted territory and lay new foundations where we need to build. And because the charge of Christ in the Great Commission had to do with people (and not places or things), then I like to think of this "pioneering and establishing" in terms of people as well. What does that mean? It means that apostles lay these new foundations in people rather than laying a foundation for people. In order for the original 12 Apostles to be successful at what they did, they had to build up other people to change the world. For them, expanding the cause of Christianity was not about creating the rules and doctrines. Instead, they were all about building up new believers.

In a sense, the apostle can be seen as a father figure, an overseer, or a mentor. These are the people that are responsible for creating a whole new generation of followers into the leaders of the future. They pour themselves out into other people in order to bring the organization towards its goals. The person in this role is responsible for developing other people, not in a teaching/training sense, but more in that mentor-type role.

As we consider the apostle in the five-fold workplace, these people are the managers of people. They take others under their wing, and prepare them to do the work that they are gifted to do. They help to bring out people's talents and abilities, and position these people where they need to be in order to help them and the organization be successful.

In order to be effective in this role, let's consider some things that Jesus did when developing the twelve to go forth as apostles themselves.

• Advise on Complex Situations - After teaching to other larger groups, Jesus regularly pulled the disciples aside to explain to them the meaning behind what he just shared. He even explained to them (Mark 4:10-12) His reasons for using the teaching method (parables) that He used.
   
• Share Personal Experience -  When we read the record of how Jesus was tempted in the desert (Matthew 4, Mark 1, and Luke 4) it is a safe assumption to say that we know this information because Jesus must have shared these experiences with others. No one else was there to experience or witness these events. Therefore, Jesus would have had to shar His personal experiences of overcoming those temptations, especially with those closest to Him.
   
• Guide Through Self-Discovery - As Jesus sent out the twelve (Mark 6:7-13) in order that they may learn to do this work for themselves. They had seen Him perform many miracles, but now it was their turn to do the work. And when they fed the 5,000, Jesus involved them by telling them, "you give them something to eat." 
   
• Support and Reassure - Jesus told the twelve about the ongoing support that they would have with the Helper that would come after Him. And in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) He even told them that they could do what they were doing because He was going to be, "with [them] always, to the end of the age." The point is that they could have confidence that they would have Jesus' ongoing support. 
   
• Model Desired Behavior - Before Jesus ever asked them to do anything, He did it all Himself. The Gospels are filled with Jesus doing the things that were important to the lifestyle that He desired for those that followed Him. 
   

Note: Remember that in the five-fold workplace (as in ministry) not everyone fits into this specific of role. The greatest job satisfaction will come when you find the right role for you to work in and focus on being great in that one area. Trying to be good at all of these roles could cause you to be mediocre in each of them (at best).

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