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REVIEWS Authority, Accountability, and the Apostolic Movement Pleasant Word Publishing - August 2006 What people are saying . . This book is going to cause an explosion! The Scripture teaches that two identifying marks of a wise master builder in God’s house are that he lays the foundation and that he then releases others to build on it (1Co. 3:10). 1. He lays the proper foundation: that foundation can only be Jesus Christ Himself (1Co.3:11). Everything we do in the local church must depend upon Him. We listen for what He is saying; we follow Him in what He is doing. We do not gather to Him as He is interpreted to us through a few gifted leaders; we gather to Him as the Holy Spirit reveals Him through whomever He chooses. Leaders then oversee the process of a functioning body of believers who are being trained to hear and respond to Christ their Head. |
2. Believers other than the apostle must be released to build upon the foundation. When apostolic men build churches into a dependence upon themselves, they are either not apostolic in a New Testament sense or they are not wise. Paul was both. Today the Church faces a serious debate. How do we build in such a way that true apostolic authority is recognized and received while at the same time Christ’s body is released to function in all the persity of God’s abiding grace? Steve Crosby takes this formidable challenge head on in Authority, Accountability and the Apostolic Movement. Readers be warned – this book will confront widely held beliefs and wisely seek to persuade you that apostolic authority is about keeping believers “Christ-aligned” not “apostle-aligned”. While Steve and I hold some differing views, I believe this book will help to set free many who have been wounded by often well meaning but misguided men seeking to build in an apostolic way. -Don Rumble
Oh where was this book when I was in seminary!? As the fourth in a spiritual lineage of shipwrecked preachers, with personal testimony to the life threatening impact brought on by the stress of living a faulty understanding of authority and control in the church, I have one thing to say: better late than never! Thanks so much Steve for this insightful and understandable book. This book is a must read for all Chris-tians. -Pastor Chris Savino, Wasilla, AK |
When you get right down to it, the theme of the Gospel is amazingly simple: crucifixion and resurrection. Those ideals were modeled in Christ and if He is truly the center of our actions, they should be replayed in all we do. It is so easy to forget these simple things and build kingdoms that are of men rather than God. Steve takes us back to the correct central theme of the Gospel. The teaching and ministry of apostles and prophets should reflect the correct Gospel foundation. Has the new apostolic reformation succeeded in this mandate? Or has it been the vehicle used to build the kingdoms of men? This book probes these issues and questions. It can potentially bring great freedom to no only to those who consider themselves apostles or prophets, but also to every Christian who may have wandered from the simplicity of the Gospel. -Pastor Jim Brittain, Talkeetna, AK
Reading this book is like stopping at a scenic overlook. It causes everything to take on new and fresh beauty that we couldn't have imagined before. Much of what Steve shares in this book is in sharp contrast and confrontation to the status quo. It's startling enough to make your eyes pop open wide, and exclaim, “That’s it! That’s the truth!” This book breathes new life into the Biblical landscape of authority and submission. During the last several years, I have observed Pastor Steve pour out his heart and soul to bring maturity to the Body of Christ; in the U.S., the Philippines, and in Great Britain. His concern has not been for his own needs, but to truly connect believers with Christ, their Life-Source. He then quietly steps away, and lets the life flow. This book is written in that same spirit. -Kevin Stafford, Walla Walla, WA
I can't say it any simpler than this. Steve Crosby gets it. His insight into the Apostolic Reformation Movement answers many questions and provides an appropriate and balanced contrast to prevailing “apostolic” philosophies. This kind of biblical approach is what the Church needs. It provides the understanding and ability to close the gap that has existed between "us" and "them," the leadership and the laity, those who submit and those to whom others submit, the apostle and the Christian everyman. -Michael Cannon, Spokane, WA
Authority, Accountability, and the Apostolic Movement arrives at exactly the right time during God's restoration of the apostolic to His church. The maturing of every kingdom move requires rigorous recognition of human excess without reactive rejection of Godly essence. Steve Crosby draws from his experi-ence as an author, senior pastor, and prophetic teacher to pull off this pine balance. I heartily recommend it to all leaders, regardless of their present doctrinal position on the apostolic. -Pastor Alan Corrick, Fairbanks, AK
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