Breen, Mike, 2002. The Apostle’s Notebook. Eastbourne, UK: Kingsway Communication, LTD.

Mike Breen has developed a pattern for the transformation of churches and people today that links the Church with a culture that has blurred boundaries. Breen’s concept is LifeShapes and as rector of St. Thomas’ Church in Sheffield, UK, Breen used LifeShapes to grow and transform his parish into one of the largest churches in England, of which the majority of attendees were under 40 years old. Breen has been associated with Community Church of Joy in Glendale, AZ and as an instructor at Fuller Theological Seminary. He has authored Choosing to Learn from Life and The Circle and co-authored The Passionate Church and A Passionate Life with Walt Kallestad.
Breen writes his book, The Apostle’s Notebook, as a helpful guide to those who are church leaders: he defines a rise in the need for an apostolic ministry. Breen does not mean an apostolic ministry in the sense of domineering leaders, but rather in leaders who are gifted of God and “sent” from him to pioneer, plant, bridge, and/or build. His thesis is that in exploring the role of apostle with Jesus Christ as the example. Breen writes, “…the book seeks to explore apostolic ministry using Jesus as the starting point…I am convinced that the world needs more people who recognize that they are ‘sent’ by God to bring his kingdom, share his gospel and build his church” (13).

The Apostles Notebook unfolds with a clear definition of what is intended by apostle. The word, “apostle” means one who is sent or “sent-out-ones” (16). Breen reflects on examples from the gospels where clearly Jesus is the apostle of God in the manifestations of his ministry and teaching. From the example of Jesus, the reader discovers the foundation for the purposes of the apostle to be the pioneer, planter, “bridger,” and/or builder.

The next section of the book weaves out of the example of Jesus the various apostolic roles and offers the evidence of these in the Apostles Paul, Peter, John and others and their example from the Acts of the Apostles, the epistles and historical discoveries. Breen then ties the historical and biblical examples to practical and contemporary issues and needs of those who sense a calling to be “sent.”

The final portion of the book offers the reader more opportunity to reflect on what has been presented in the previous chapters. Breen defines clearer his definitions of base and phase ministries (those main themes of ministry and service that one is engaged in and then those which are temporary “anointing” for a particular time and/or place). Breen also provides a questionnaire concerning the five-fold ministries expressed in Ephesians 4: apostle, prophet (“to hear the word of God and interpret the signs of the times”), evangelist (“to proclaim the gospel”), pastor (“to care for God’s people”), teacher (“to instruct the church in biblical truth”) (18). The apostle is the pioneering agent in the mission of Jesus – “providing direction and definition in the task” (19).

Of the many books read for the course, Breen’s The Apostle’s Notebook appears to be a helpful tool to use for a group of church leaders to walk through some definitions and ideas on engaging people in the calling and purpose for which God has redeemed them.

As I read The Apostle’s Notebook, I was struck by Breen’s passion and urgency for the sake of God’s kingdom and the good news of Jesus Christ. Breen’s study of the reasons for the emergence of teaching and expression of the apostolic led him to three conclusions that catch my attention and cause me pause to reflect: 1.) “End-time” harvest; 2.) “A restored church…requires a restored five-fold ministry (Ephesians 4); and 3.) “The rapid and accelerating cultural change that we see all around us demands a fresh impetus in mission that only apostolic ministry can provide” (17). I am convinced. Although the doctrinal perspective of apostolic teaching is not what Breen intends, he has stirred within me a respect and a care about how I might engage people in my particular ministry.

Breen’s concluding comments move me. I sit in Grand Rapids, MI praying for my city. I drive through neighborhoods and see people with whom I have no connection. The Lord prompts me to pray for them and I do, but I see a city where there is a vast need for men, women and children to come to Jesus Christ. Because of The Apostle’s Notebook, I am enthralled by a new possibility: Desert Shield (special forces behind enemy lines, gathering data, providing intercession AND another team developing infrastructure as in the mid-size communities of faith Breen envisioned at Fuller Theological Seminary in March, 2009).

The Desert Storm comes where we (my leadership team) have spent time training and equipping the forces for the groups of people to whom they have been called. They are released to be the pioneers, planters, bridgers, and builders the Lord has ordained. The sacrifice is made for the mission of enlarging the kingdom of God and winning hearts and souls to Jesus Christ.