With all the emphasis in the New Testament on leadership function and structure, there are a group of people who are very strongly represented in the Bible. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit inspired Paul and others to throw the spotlight on a very large range of significant people to the work of the churches that were being planted around the Roman Empire. It seems that there was a primary pool of people from whom all other leadership in the New Testament came. They are called “fellow workers.” The Greek compound verb and noun highlight the simple yet profound reality of what qualified them. It wasn’t a term that carried any status as such. It was a term that described what went on. They joined the work and worked at it together (cp. 1 Cor. 16:16).

The framework that supports the work of Grace Canberra – Building Church Where You Are, is being reviewed constantly to ensure that it develops with the sort of emphasis described in the previous introductory paragraph. There are no heroes in the New Testament church other than the church itself. Jesus ensured that we understood what level of service and obedience is required from people who would seek to lead by the example of his own life. Paul continued to model this and it didn’t matter what function of leadership people performed in this early church enterprise, anyone who could be regarded as significant by human standards was described as a “fellow worker”, including the recognised apostles, prophets, evangelists etc. We believe that identifying “fellow workers” is honouring the ministry anointing on their lives in the way that the early church did.

So, the following is our initial attempt to describe this idea of apostolic team leadership in the context of what God has called us to do. Keep visiting the online journal about our Leadership Culture in the transitioning section of our web site so you can journey with us as our understanding of this revelation from God develops.

You have already been introduced to our oversight (members), management (directors), strategic, co-ordinative and support leadership; all of whom are fellow workers together for the cause, but there are also many other “fellow workers” who are emerging as champions of the cause operating in diverse ways; offering as much of themselves as possible to ensure we see the glory of Christ revealed through lifestyles of personal and collective holiness based on replicating the nature of Jesus Christ (and the Father), through service which works for wholeness and with the unceasing motivation to see this gospel transform every family in every nation.

“Fellow Workers” are involved in many different areas of service and the dynamic nature of this precludes us from just listing off a bunch of names.

Many of these “fellow workers” will appear as you tour the site and engage with leaders of established ministry areas or leaders and team members of church planting projects.

They are involved in mentoring & assisting to equip people in the prophetic or in pastoral care or they are coordinating teams of servants preparing for meetings and events or providing community services and much more.

If you would like to find out more about how to connect to people responsible for particular leadership tasks or you would like more information about the growing number of opportunities to volunteer and serve this cause, then please contact us.