AIM STRATEGY
Among the many challenges facing the Apostolic and Prophetic Movements today that hinder the movement worldwide, here are three very common problems legitimate leaders face:
1. Apostles refuse to recognize one another
2. False teaching has left people hurt and disillusioned
3. Many who call themselves apostles simply are not
The AIM Strategy addresses each of these problems head-on.
AIM is an acronym for Acknowledge, Instruct, and Measure.
Here’s how it works:
As a recognized body of apostles, ICAL is uniquely equipped and positioned to carry out this strategy worldwide. No other organization has the ability to provide solutions to these problems better than ICAL.
What makes us unique, is that we are not trying to solve these problems from a central office in a single nation. Rather, we are addressing the problems from within the nations where they exist. Since we are a collaborative organization comprised of many National Coalitions in multiple nations, we are able to address specific issues locally in nations, regions and cities.
As ICAL makes its works through indigenous leaders within nations, regions and cities, local apostolic leaders who know one another can apply the Acknowledge, Instruct and Measure within their local spheres.
Let’s look at each one of the AIM objectives more closely.
ACKNOWLEDGE Other Apostles
“...to admit or accept that something exists, is true, or is real; to respond to something; to show appreciation or express thanks for something; to officially or publicly recognize somebody's help or work.”
Apostolic Leaders don’t have to agree on everything to be connected. They don’t have to sacrifice their unique vision, values and calling to be aligned with other leaders. In fact, variety makes the Body of Christ stronger. They do, however, need to acknowledge one another and appreciate each other’s contribution to the Kingdom of God in any given area of the world.
Reaching a place of acknowledgement is a process. Each person begins at a different starting point and every nation, region and city carries a distinctive environment for such things. There are four identifiable stages that are common on the journey to unity which may apply here.
These four stages are:
1. Antagonism: This is when leaders are actively working against one another
2. Peace: This is when hostility has ceased.
3. Fellowship: This is when relationships are created.
4. Cooperation: This is when leaders work together, appreciating each other’s work. 5. Unity: This is when sustained progress is made for social transformation.
While ICAL National Coalitions may not be able to facilitate unity among all ministries in each area, it can help leaders in the Apostolic Movements to find a place where strife and division are largely replaced with mutual respect and acknowledgement. This alone, represents a huge step forward in the apostolic movement worldwide.
INSTRUCT Leaders in Apostolic Ministry
“...to teach somebody a subject or how to do something; to inform somebody about something; to ask or authorize a person to act on your behalf and supply him or her with relevant information.”
One of the major concerns expressed by Apostolic Leaders worldwide is the lack of true understanding of apostolic ministry. Where ignorance abounds, a vacuum of information is filled by false teaching. Some of these teachers are maliciously motivated; others are simply uninformed.
Regardless of the motive, the results are the same. A negative shadow is being cast on apostolic and prophetic ministry in many circles.
The problem of misinformation will only get worse until the true Apostolic Leaders step up with a consistent apostolic message. The same principles taught in South America, for instance, need to be the same principles taught in Africa, Asia, Europe, the United States, etc. Only then can counterfeit teaching be swallowed up by genuine truth.
ICAL can serve the vision of instructing leaders in apostolic ministry by becoming a clearinghouse of ideas. Some of the most accomplished teachers and thinkers regarding apostolic ministry in the world reside in our ranks. Their common instruction can be assimilated into the smallest elements of the Apostolic Movement by the National Coalitions.
Members of ICAL can serve National Coalitions around the world by visiting these nations, regions, regions, and cities and conducting conferences and seminars under the banner of ICA.
This consistency of teaching worldwide will accomplish our next task...
Creating Coalitions of Apostles in the Nations of the Earth
MEASURE Apostles with a Common Standard
“...the size or extent of something, especially in comparison with a known standard; a way of evaluating something, or a standard against which something can be compared.”
Over the years, each of the five-fold ministry gifts has tried to define the apostolic gift. However, it has been common to project one’s own gift upon the apostle as follows:
Teachers have a tendency to measure apostles with a teaching scale.
Pastors have a tendency to measure apostles with a shepherding scale.
Evangelists have a tendency to measure apostles with an evangelistic scale.
Prophets have a tendency to measure apostles with a prophetic scale.
While each of these measurements may be part of the definition of apostolic ministry, none is complete in itself. It’s time for the apostles to measure apostles! This will go a long way in providing a common standard to determining true apostles around the world.
Should we measure those who call themselves apostles? Should there be a common standard to which apostles should attain in order to be called an apostle? Jesus thought it was a good idea...
"I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not and have found them liars.” Revelation 2:2
When measured against the genuine, what is counterfeit becomes easier to recognize. ICAL has existing standards that can be applied to those claiming to be (or called to be) apostolic. That standard includes meeting the Biblical qualifications of an Apostolic Leader as defined by ICAL, recognition from at least one other.
These minimum standards represent an excellent measurement that could be consistently applied by leaders worldwide. As National Coalitions are established, the leaders who know one another best are the most qualified to apply and evaluate these requirements on a case by case basis.
This is why it is vital that existing members of ICAL find ways of creating National Coalitions in nations, regions and cities around the world. The AIM Strategy can help make this happen as we endeavor to bring legitimacy to the New Apostolic Reformation.
2023 ICAL
