ApostolicServants.com

God created us as individuals and simultaneously prepared something specific for each of us to do.  We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.[1]

Jesus, the firstborn Son and prototype for all sons of God, modeled the true measure for kingdom success: “I have glorified You on the earth.  I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.”[2]

We find our spiritual maturity and functional fulfillment within the context of the church.  The Potter has crafted us so that we fit together like puzzle pieces.  God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.[3]

We are like a tribal village within Father’s holy nation—joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.[4]

I agree with Ron McGatlin, who wrote: “The frontier of kingdom-of-heaven life on earth is like small villages linked together in a wilderness of hostile environment. Inside the tribal villages of kingdom people there is unity, agreement and a sense of loving connection and godly protection. The flow of the glory of God fills the villages.

“Frontier kingdom tribal villages are temporary. They are kingdom seed organisms planted on earth from heaven. As the extreme judgments of God cleanse the earth of all that lifts itself against God, the kingdom of God will spread across the entire world. The frontier villagers will spread to replenish the earth with God’s kingdom people. The glory of God shall fill the earth.”

We have been supernaturally joined together.  God’s DNA has been grafted into our hearts.  Each of us is uniquely configured in gifting, unction and anointing. There is a glorious blending of Life that carries the aroma of our Tribal Chief, Jesus.

This Life can be quickly quenched if we attempt to organize it beyond what He has ordered, or sustain it longer than He intends.  God placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.[5] Even so, He has placed a guard around the dream in my heart to keep the flesh from profaning His will, prostituting His purpose, and perverting His image.

 It is so easy to move from an organism to an organization! “Been there; done that!”  Repentance was costly and painful.  God helping me, I will not go that way again.  Church history is filled with infamous testimonies of those who would try to make permanent what God intends to be temporary.

I have discussed this with Barbara and with some of my closest peers, and they agree that there will be no successor for my service to Christ and the kingdom.  Specifically, I am saying that there will be no “baton passing” in any organizational or supervisory sense, no “ministry successor.” Kingdomquest trustees will oversee any legal issues, and Global Gatherings will not be convened—unless others are led by the Spirit to initiate such responsibilities.

Each of us is to be a son to our Father, and each of us has his/her own work to finish. Unction and anointing are not normally passed down through the generations.  One generation is to disciple and equip the next for its own allotments and assignments.

I am not resigning, retreating, or retiring.  I am enjoying good health, and am in this race for as long as Jesus gives me His capacity to run.  The older I get, the more attention I give to the signposts along the way, lest I wander and lose my way.  I am thankful for eyes to see warning signs and the wisdom to avoid illicit detours.

 We, together, will continue to serve the true Progenitor of this new creation species, believing that each of us is to procreate disciples of Christ after kind by the Spirit.  My passion is to help you discover and fulfill your passion and purpose within the context of the kingdom.

 We, the team, make ourselves available to serve those whom God leads to convene brethren in their localities and regions, and among their own allotments and spheres of influence. We will not take the responsibility for such regionals, nor will we organize them.  We will coach from the sidelines, and participate as we are able, because of our desire for your fruitfulness.[6]

We will, as the Lord leads, continue to convene global gatherings and topical dialogues, and any other venue God assigns.  We are absolutely committed to your fulfillment and fruitfulness!

 We believe in you, and cheer you on in your own race.

 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on?  It means we’d better get on with it.  Strip down, start running—and never quit!  No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.  Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.

Study how He did it.  Because He never lost sight of where He was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—He could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever.  And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.  When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility He plowed through.  That will shoot adrenaline into your souls![7]

I’m pumped.  How ‘bout you?

Don Atkin

DonAtkin.com