mDNA: Apostolic Environment / APEST
Episode Summary
In this episode of the mDNA series, Brian and Cory unpack the fifth core element of movement DNA: the Apostolic Environment. Often misunderstood or misused, this environment isn’t about hierarchy or titles—it’s about cultivating a culture that equips and sends everyday people into their unique Kingdom calling. This episode explores what it looks like to safeguard the mission, embrace innovation, and activate the full fivefold gifts (APEST) as a tuning system for healthy movement.
Key Themes & Takeaways
1. Review of the Journey So Far:
Jesus is Lord – The foundation of everything.
Missional-Incarnational Impulse – Sent deeply into people and place.
Disciple Making – The core engine.
Liminality & Communitas – The environment where deep formation happens.
Now: Apostolic Environment – A culture that equips and sends.
2. What Is an Apostolic Environment?
A “pioneering, boundary-pushing culture that safeguards and extends the mission.”
A greenhouse climate fostering risk, innovation, and sending.
It’s not about titles—it’s about empowering every follower of Jesus to walk in their Ephesians 2:10 calling.
3. Distinguishing Apostolic from Hierarchical:
APEST is about function, not hierarchy.
These gifts (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher) exist in every believer because Christ is in us.
All voices matter equally and bring health when balanced together.
4. APEST as the “Tuning System” for Movement:
If disciple making is the engine and liminality the terrain, apostolic environment is the climate control—and APEST is how we tune the settings.
When one voice is too dominant (e.g., teaching or shepherding), movements can stagnate.
Healthy environments balance all five gifts for sustainability and growth.
5. Dismantling the Box:
Apostolic environments resist institutional ceilings.
Instead of control and containment, they embrace a trellis-style support system—designed for organic, uncontainable growth.
Examples and metaphors: soundboard mixing, gardening box vs. trellis, movement vs. institutional church.
6. Why APEST Matters for Movements:
The church in the West has often over-emphasized one or two voices (e.g., teacher/shepherd).
Global movements are discovering the power of rebalancing all five gifts.
APEST helps contextualize and catalyze disciple making across cultures and teams.
Final Thoughts
Apostolic environments aren’t about elite leaders—they’re about everyday people being equipped and sent. APEST gives us language and structure to unleash the body of Christ into mission with clarity and maturity. This is how we tune our culture toward movement.
