What is APEST? It’s a synonym for the fivefold ministry from Ephesians 4:11 – apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd (pastor), and teacher. The first letters of these roles forms the word ‘apest’, which is why the term is sometimes used.
I’ve written HERE in more detail about the overriding function and purpose of the fivefold ministry, and I’ve written shorter summary definitions of each of the APEST roles HERE. This article will add to each of those pieces and answer the ‘what is APEST’ question by highlighting different traits of each fivefold role.
What is APEST? Apostolic
Those with apostolic thinking are often visionaries, focused on the way forward. They have strategic minds and can bring together the right people, resources, and system/structures to move things forward.
- Vision and mission is always the priority
- They want the right people in the right roles to maximise their talents, and therefore their impact
- Movement and momentum is important, so they tend to be focused and determined.
- Passionate communicators, they can use logic and emotion to present a compelling picture
- At their worst, they can come across driven, arrogant, selfish, and users of people.
- 14% of people have a primary apostolic expression
What is the Fivefold? Prophetic
Those with prophetic thinking are often future-oriented, mindful of what needs to change to make things improve. They bring challenge and questions, looking to provoke or stir transformation.
- They are creative thinkers and aren’t conventional in their ideas or opinions
- Demonstrating foresight, they often sense danger or opportunities before everyone else
- Always wanting to see more or things better, they are never content to settle
- Often feel misunderstood or rejected because of what it is they say – or are trying to say
- At their worst, they can come across dogmatic, judgemental, and self-righteous
- 22% of people have a primary prophetic expression
What is APEST? Evangelistic
Those with evangelistic thinking are very interested in connections, networks, partnership and anything that involves people. They care about ensuring the important messages are shared with others, and are concerned about what people see, feel, and hear and how that will cause them to interpret the message.
- They are often persuasive, energetic, and inspirational communicators who attract and gather people to a cause
- Often very resourceful, able to get things – or know people who can!
- Relationally flexible, they can maintain a lot of connections and seem to know everyone!
- Naturally charismatic, they connect with all manner of people effortlessly
- At their worst, they can come across superficial, insincere, or salesy
- 6% of people have a primary evangelistic expression
What is the Fivefold? Shepherding (Pastoral)
Those with shepherding thinking are very interested in unity, relationships, and harmony. They are ‘people people’ and are selfless and altruistic, putting others ahead of themselves.
- Naturally empathic, they can sense how others feel
- Prioritising people, they will defend values and fight to protect the hearts of others
- They love celebrating other people, naturally encouraging and affirming them
- Change-resistant at times, this is partly because of the effect change may have on others.
- At their worst, they can come across as passive-aggressive, change-resistant, and overly compassionate
- 36% of people have a primary pastoral expression
What is APEST? Teaching
Those with teaching thinking are very interested in truth, tradition, and order. They enjoy structure, routine, and things that are consistent and predictable.
- They ask difficult questions and need to be convinced by strong reason or data – emotion or passion alone won’t sway them
- Decision-making and personal feelings can be separated easily by them
- Questions that are important to them involve cost, risk, energy, commitment, and results.
- They are often very logical and rational, and have clear processes in their thinking
- At their worst, they can be insensitive, stubborn, or risk-averse
- 22% of people have a primary teaching expression
What is your APEST? I’ve written an APEST Assessment to help you discover your own ministry style. You can discover your primary and secondary expression, and how they work together, by clicking HERE.
This post is part of a series looking at 5 fold ministry and APEST. You can read the other parts here:
- What Is The 5 Fold Ministry?
- Understanding 5 Fold Ministry Gifts
- What Is APEST?
- APEST Assessment: Discover Your Unique Ministry Style
