KA•DASH  - A Hebrew word meaning holy, consecrated, set apart for His service.

It is our desire that the Kadash Network will be a powerful resource for individuals, leaders, ministries and churches.

What is Apostolic Oversight?
It will be easier to state what apostolic oversight is by first stating what it IS NOT. In 1st Thessalonians 2:1 the apostle Paul said, "Our coming to you was not in vain ". The word "vain" expresses the hollowness of anything, Paul was saying their work was not void of content or power. This word could also be translated "empty-handed". Paul was saying "We didn't come to take something away from you but to bring you something". This is the heart of apostolic oversight. It has nothing to do with what the apostle "receives" from the church, it has everything to do with what apostolic oversight brings to the church.

Apostolic oversight:

Is not a means for personal kingdom building. The issue is not quantity- "How many churches do you have in your network?" The issue is the quality of care you give for the local church and love for the saints.

Is not primarily about money, it is not "a pretext for greed" (1Thess.2:5). Paul denies that he ever used his ministry as a secret means of enriching himself. Apostolic oversight is not multi-level marketing for church planters where all resources work their way to the top

Is not about human glory - "I'm Apostle so and so". Paul said, "We have never sought honor from men, from you or from anybody else " (1Thess.2:6a Moffat). Paul here is repudiating personal ambition. Paul never used his preaching to gain the honor, recognition and approval that men give.

Is not being in "authority" over a church. Paul actually did have authority but he never abused it. The only authority that exists in the church is "Christ's authority". True apostles are not authoritarian or controlling. Authority is always to be used for the benefit of those under it never for the personal benefit of those exercising it.

True apostolic oversight has to do with being a "parent” to the church. Seeing the church as a parent sees children, intent on training children according to their individual needs. Caring for children is tiring work. Paul said, "You remember brethren, our labor and toil, laboring day and night" (1 Thess.2:9). True apostles faithfully proclaim "The Gospel of God" without alteration or substitution.

Apostolic oversight is foundational. Paul said "I have laid a foundation and another builds on it" (1 Cor.3:10). The foundation of a building is out of sight but it is the key to stability and the growth of the structure built on it. Many churches today have faulty foundations and as a result they continually struggle with the same problems. Jesus Christ himself "is the Chief Cornerstone" (Eph.2:20). Everything the church is and does has to be rightly related to Christ, because the church belongs to Him.

How We Build
We want each local church to reach maximum health and the kingdom of God to be advanced in all the earth.

In II Timothy 3:10 where Paul tells Timothy: "You however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings - what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured". While Paul fellowshipped with many believers and shared ministry with others like Apollos, he built only with those he was in a trust relationship with like Timothy.

From the divine standpoint building is God's desire for both leaders and churches in the body of Christ. Both need the kind of knowledgeable trust relationships with each other that provide both accountability and assistance in pursuing God's goal for the local church and the Kingdom. Unfortunately, many leaders and churches today know little of the reality of building with others. Wherever we look today we can find leaders that are essentially "going it alone", having few if any they can share their lives with and partner in the purpose of God.

The great need of the Kingdom is for leaders and churches to realize they need more than a place of fellowship or a venue for sharing and participating in ministry. What is needed is for churches and leaders to be built together with the true five-fold ministry in the purpose of God. Ephesians makes it clear that the five-fold ministries' only purpose is to equip the saints for the working of the ministry and to mature the church. It is God's only stated tool for this purpose. The proper use of it and the recognition and acceptance of it by churches is paramount.

The Benefits of Apostolic Covering
There is no reason for a church to have an apostolic covering if the church doesn't benefit from the relationship. If the only one receiving benefits is the apostle, something is wrong. The following are some areas that a church and its leaders should benefit from apostolic covering:

Counsel

• In vision, helping to define it, refine it and articulate it.
• In doctrine, to help deal with doctrinal issues confronting a church or causing division in the church.
• In church discipline, this is especially helpful in difficult cases to avoid personal attacks against leadership when a member needs discipline.

Protection
This is to provide an atmosphere of safety and security for both the pastor and the people.

• To protect the people- if a leader falls into error or sin or becomes dictatorial, the congregation knows they have someone to appeal to, helping to avoid a church split.
• To protect the pastor- the pastor cannot be arbitrarily removed without the involvement of apostolic oversight. This protects against false accusations.

Accountability
Having apostolic covering gives the pastor someone to be accountable to, someone to talk to, relate to, pray with, and just sound off to.

Confirmation
Apostolic covering can be used to confirm and ordain elders and other 5-fold gifts in the church. Having someone else to interview and confirm candidates for ministry can provide an objective view that is often missing in independent churches.

Encouragement
Visits by apostolic covering can bring encouragement and blessing to a local church.

Commitment
Apostolic covering doesn't work unless there is a level of commitment by a pastor and congregation. Every pastor knows the value and importance of commitment in the local church. A level of commitment is needed if you're going to entrust someone with ministry responsibility in the local church. As an apostolic church we have come to realize that there is a basic commitment a pastor and local church need to make to fully benefit from apostolic oversight.

We must fellowship, communicate and pray together.

To increase vision
To build relationship
To encourage fellowship
To receive teaching and ministry
To connect with a global vision
To be personally strengthened and refreshed
To just keep it real with each other, listen, remain teachable and know wise counsel is good.
To be approachable and know that all we go through is not for self but for someone else.

Participate Financially
As an apostolic church we set no minimum amount that a church must give. Jesus taught that one of the evidences that people were receiving the Word of God was their willingness to support the messengers financially (Matthew 10:5-14). We are very cautious regarding the subject of finances. We know there is much confusion and abuse in this area in the body of Christ. Paul's concern was that he would not be a burden to the churches (2 Cor.12:14). When Paul accepted offerings people said it proved he was only in it for the money. When Paul refused offerings people said it was because of how proud he was. We believe "the laborer is worthy of his wages" (1 Tim.5:18) and that churches receiving ministry from the apostolic team should financially support the ministry.

If you are interested in learning more about the Kadash Network of Churches, contact us at 225-383-3170.