[This is a series designed to bring you into the the unique A.P.E stories of each writer on this blog. We hope each one of you can find a little of your A.P.E story inside of one of us. Read the other stories]

I’m supposed to tell a coming-of-age story. Not about becoming a man, though. (There’s actually not too much to tell there, anyway.) Or even about becoming an apprentice of Jesus. (I do have a little more to tell on that one.) But instead, I’m supposed to write about when I knew I was an Apostle, Prophet or Evangelist.

It’s not an easy assignment.

First of all, any story I might write will sound self-congratulatory. Imagine me in an ornate robe, curved pipe in hand, slinking back into a velvet armchair, and I start to speak in a slow, cultivated accent: “In a time when boys sought to be men, and men dared to dream, I looked down at my already gnarled hands, pondering the futility of life. That is, until a voice from heaven cracked through my thoughts like a thunderclap: ‘James, from this day forward, you shall be called … Apostle!’” It assails against my Korean upbringing to crown myself like that. Even Lebron received much derision for tattooing “Chosen1” on his back, even though, whether you like him or not, he can play ball. How much less have I accomplished?

Plus, these titles represent a new language to me. I’m still not comfortable with any of them. Perhaps my Gen X sensibilities doesn’t want to get labeled. Or sometimes people who carry labels like these are, well, freaky. I imagine people in white suits, cock-strutting on stage, wiping the sweat off their brow with a handkerchief, screaming into their microphones. Or I envision people who wear sandwich boards picturing silhouettes of bodies falling into flames, proclaiming that the end is near. If these titles don’t feel antiquated, they seem to be, at least, on the fringe of religious excess.

So why am I writing for this blog, again?

These three titles are mentioned in Ephesians 4. But they’re part of a longer list of five where two other titles are mentioned: Pastor and Teacher. The strange thing is: I don’t have a problem with those titles. You could call me either one, I wouldn’t blink an eye. Like old jeans, they just feel comfortable.

But why am I so comfortable with those titles? Well, we use them all the time. And these folks who carry these titles make us feel comfortable. I like making people feel at home. And that’s not always a bad thing. And we usually reward Pastors and Teachers who make church comfortable for us and for newcomers. But if, as leaders of the church, we’re always making people comfortable, then what kind of church do we make? And if we’re introducing a faith that is comfortable for all — all the time — then I’d wonder if we’re introducing the message of Jesus at all.

So sure, I’m not comfortable with any of the titles. But I should still try them on for size, see if they fit. Because yes, I love starting things, creating systems and cultures for people to flourish, sharing a word from God that may put people or organizations on edge, or talking about the reality of Jesus in my life to others who might still be wondering about him. Sure. And I do believe that we need more people who look, smell, love, serve, invest, worship, speak, heal and embrace like Apostles, Prophets and Evangelists in our communities of faith. If more of these folks were allowed to be influential in our churches, ministries and organizations, then I really do think that the Body of Christ would bring so much more good to the people around us. In the end, it’s people who live out these titles that keep us from becoming too comfortable.

Just don’t call me an Apostle, Prophet, or Evangelist. At least, not yet.

Do you have trouble with these words and letting them define you? Let us know why below!

[This is a series designed to bring you into the the unique A.P.E stories of each writer on this blog. We hope each one of you can find a little of your A.P.E story inside of one of us. Read the other stories]

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