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Author Topic: How many apostles are there?  (Read 4224 times)
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« on: December 18, 2008, 02:57:25 pm »

Is it just Jim McCotter, or are there others who are considered apostles?

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puff of purple smoke
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« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2008, 03:07:47 pm »

Perhaps someone with the Leadership: Apostles book can elaborate, but I believe from what I've read it was at least Jim and Dennis. To quote one letter:
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McCotter has recently (1984?) sought to tighten control over GCI and the individual groups by giving the whole movement a "denominational" tag--Great Commission International--and promulgating new teaching concerning apostles and elders. His apostleship teaching is a reversal that has taken place over the past two years or so. Now McCotter has found it convenient to declare tht the Holy Spirit does still make some men apostles, and that he is the apostle of GCI. This legitimizes his dictating to the individual groups/churches around the country, as well, as to the individual members. Dennis Clark is also an apostle in GCI but not with the same standing as McCotter. McCotter claims to be an apostle like Paul; but Dennis claims to be an apostle of music (whatever that is).
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« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2008, 04:02:15 pm »

At the time that the Leadership book was written, there were only two "apostles" that I can recall: Jim McCotter and Dennis Clark.  After withdrawing the Leadership book from circulation within the churches, the identification of apostles seemed to go away.  However, the concept or function still remained (and still remains) under the title of Regional or National Director.  Thus, Rick Whitney and John Hopler probably are the most prominent national "apostle-like" and regional directors while Dennis Clark has seemed to have "stepped down" from that role.  Other individuals are being groomed for that sort of role and are now, in some cases, regional directors, such as Brent Knox.  The idea is that apostles pastored pastors and had authority over groups of churches or regions.  All of them had demonstrated ability to plant churches, although, according to Dr. Sam, John Hopler has not actually planted churches or at least effectively.  There's more to apostles, but this sort of person is embodied in the role of regional/national director, with Rick and John being the most prominent.
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