The very first and foundational thing we require, is that you become a member at Apologia Church in Arizona under the guidance, care, and accountability of the founding elders. If you are in another state or country, this would mean moving to Arizona. This would allow us to get to know and watch you and would allow you to get to know us and learn how we operate as a church body. If you need to move to Arizona, we ask that you visit here at least once and have a formal meeting with at least one of the elders. We also request that you have a job, housing, and transportation established prior to your move.
Once you have become a member of Apologia Church, we require a minimum of two years to watch you and grow with you as the Body of Christ. This probationary period will ultimately serve as a ministry test to see if you truly want to multiply the work being done here and also allow us to decide whether or not you are someone that we can trust with this task. It is important to know that moving here and/or becoming a member at Apologia Church in no way serves as a guarantee of moving forward together in ministry. We reserve the right to end any potential ministry at any given moment if we see any concerns or red flags.
After the two year probationary period, if we determine that you are a good fit and ultimately trust you with our lives, we can then at that point possibly begin to discuss the possibility of raising you up either as leadership within Apologia Church in Arizona, or sending you elsewhere to plant another Apologia Church, or even as a missionary. If we decide to move forward, we estimate at least another two-year process. If looking to plant somewhere else, given our experience, three to four years is more likely. Again, there is no guarantee of this.
If you are looking to be raised up as an elder, it is important that you know we have very specific things we are looking for in potential elders. First, we want to see you take initiative. You should consistently be the first one there and the last to leave, always asking for things to do. We should never have to ask you to help with menial tasks. You should never be afraid to get your hands dirty, bleed, sweat, and cry. Secondly, we need to know that you are scared to death to teach from the pulpit. You should have a healthy fear of dishonoring Christ during worship. Asking us for pulpit time is an immediate red flag and instant strike against you. Third, you should have the gift of teaching. To ensure this, we will put you into the teaching rotation for our Advanced Theological Teaching on Thursday nights to give you opportunities to hone your skills and allow us to determine if your teaching abilities meet our standards.
Lastly, it is crucial that you are courageous. We will not raise up cowards. We will watch you to make sure that during trials, in public evangelism, or in the everyday events of life, you act like a man; that you do not faint in the day of adversity. If we decide to continue to raise you up beyond this point, we will first put you into deacon training for a minimum of 6 months, and then make you an official deacon. This will allow you to see how our church government works. From there if we desire to raise you up as an elder, we will intentionally pour into you for as long as we deem necessary. Again, there is no guarantee of this.
If this is something that still interests you after reading and praying through our procedural requirements, please contact us to set up a conversation or an in-person meeting with one of our elders. To reiterate, we are incredibly thankful for your desire to be a part of God’s work through Apologia Church. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
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This is very strange and to me reeks CULT! I would be extremely suspicious of anyone who buys off on this kind of control. Maybe just me and I apologize if offending anyone, but it doesn’t sound like a Christian Church but mind control.
It's your basic requirements for becoming an elder, a member of leadership at the church which means they actually take very seriously protecting the flock against people that what teach on biblical doctrines.
You don't know much about traditional Christianity do you?
How about you go to the apology of studios YouTube and watch some sermons and debates and interactions with elected officials before you start attacking one of the most respected Protestant churches in America.
This church is scary strange. I suggest you go to their website and check it out. Especially there ministry section: https://apologiachurch.com/ministry-interest-guidelines/ ———————- From their website ——————————-
Those sound like the requirements to become leaders within the Church, which would and should be strict.
It's your basic requirements for becoming an elder, a member of leadership at the church which means they actually take very seriously protecting the flock against people that what teach on biblical doctrines.
You don't know much about traditional Christianity do you?
How about you go to the apology of studios YouTube and watch some sermons and debates and interactions with elected officials before you start attacking one of the most respected Protestant churches in America.