by Pete Beck Jr.

My father has served the body of Christ for many years as an apostle. Many churches and individuals look to him as a spiritual father. He did not start out with this in mind, but over time others began to see something in him that God had put there. Eventually he accepted his call to be a “sent one” to help plant, build, and strengthen churches and leaders around the world. With the recent resurgence of interest in the calling and work of apostles, he felt the need to write this book in order to correct some perceived errors in understanding. This book focuses on what he considers to be the main issue, a father’s heart for the church.

I have placed some salient quotes from the book below to whet your appetite for more. The book is available on Amazon.

The only remedy for avoiding the mistakes of the past and present is to recapture the true essence of the apostle and god’s pattern for leadership. In this book the emphasis is not on what the apostle does, but on who the apostle is in Christ. When this is properly modeled, individuals and churches should have no problem receiving and working with such individuals. It is only when this relational aspect is ignored that apostles become corporate executives or at worse, tyrants. When this happens, churches will inevitably pull away from that which God intended as a channel for blessing. (pp.11-12.)

Christ endows his apostles with a large world vision. They gather, set in order, and establish… apostles are always looking over the horizon. They are pioneers… They are given a general’s view of the battlefield… [their] mandate is to push forward the Kingdom.  (p.19)

The five-fold gifts are important and greatly complement each other. Yet the true apostle’s vision is broader than the others. It includes an anointing to bring things together… not only to place the foundation himself, but also to see that others are doing it properly. (p.23)

The apostle represents Christ and is an extension of Christ’s ministry on earth. Christ loves the church and died to give Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25). The true apostle feels no less inclined to live and die in the same manner. (p.49)

To be a true apostle there must be quiet confidence in the One who said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) The primary characteristic of a mature and godly leader is that he really believes that Christ is in charge. What is more, he acts like it… (p.58)

While trying to give a benchmark for young churches and leaders to measure against when sizing up men who call themselves apostles, at the same it was the aim of this book to suggest that apostles ought to use the same benchmark to size themselves up. (p.137)

Heart of an Apostle covers key topics such as the apostle’s heart, lifestyle, authority, attitude toward churches, honoring sons, and character qualities needed. It is an important addition to your library, whether you are an apostle, relate to one, or simply want to know more about this important ministry gift to the church.