One of the unique and spiritually significant practices in The Apostolic Church is the periodic transfer of ministers from one station to another.
From its inception, The Apostolic Church has understood ministry as a mission-driven calling, not confined to a single location or context. The Church’s early fathers, did not settle in comfort but responded to the Holy Spirit’s leading-planting churches, discipling new believers, and establishing strong foundations across regions and nations.
This legacy continues today. Every minister in The Apostolic Church is not just called to preach and lead but also appointed and assigned to serve in various parts of the body wherever they are sent.
Transfers are spiritually discerned, prayerfully considered, and strategically implemented under the authority of the Council of Apostles and Prophets, which acts under divine guidance that reflects God’s will and the Church’s vision for growth, revival, and leadership development.
The practice allows the Church to refresh leadership, strengthen weaker stations, balance ministerial exposure, and mobilise resources and gifts where they are needed most.
KEY FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE TRANSFERS
Prayer and Divine Direction
The leadership (Council of Apostles and Prophets) prayerfully seeks the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all transfers.
Tenure in Station
Ministers are typically transferred after serving for a period. For the avoidance of doubt, a period of stay of a minister in a station is not limited to a particular number of years.
Gifts and Calling
A minister may be transferred to a place where their specific gifts, strengths, or experiences are needed.
Health, Family, or Personal Factors
Sometimes transfers are made to accommodate a minister’s health, family needs, or personal circumstances, with the guidance of the leadership.
Performance and Leadership Impact
While not the main determinant, a minister’s faithfulness, effectiveness, administrative ability, and fruitfulness are factors that influence where they are assigned next. However, transfers are not treated as a reward or punishment for a minister’s good or bad deeds.
Church Growth and Strategic Needs
Transfers are often done to expand the kingdom, strengthen growing churches, revive challenged assemblies, plant new assemblies, and create new districts.
The Church emphasises that, transfers are part of the call, and every minister must be ready and willing to serve wherever and whenever the Church deems fit.
ATTITUDE TOWARD TRANSFERS
Faith and Trust in God’s Plan: “All things work together for good” (Romans 8:28).
Servanthood: “Christ emptied Himself and obeyed unto death” (Philippians 2:5–7).
Joyful Obedience: Like Abraham, ready to go without full details (Genesis 12:1–4).
To Ministers
Your calling is bigger than your current station. Wherever and whenever God places you next, go in faith, build with love, and serve with excellence. You are not being moved, you are being sent. So be open to where God leads through the Church.
To Members
Support your outgoing and incoming ministers. Pray for them, honour them, and work with them. Remember, you are not just receiving a man; you are welcoming God’s assignment and gift. Supporting ministers brings growth to the church and blessings to you and your generation.
To Officers
Be co-labourers, not critics. Transfers don’t end the mission; they extend it. “One plants, another waters, but God gives the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:6–9)
In conclusion, in a generation that craves comfort and permanence, the calling to ministry in The Apostolic Church remains countercultural. It is a calling to go where God sends, serve with joy, and move without murmuring. Every duty post belongs to God, and every minister is a steward and not a settler.
Ultimately, we are reminded that in God’s Kingdom, no minister is self-appointed, no station belongs to a person, and no assignment is final. The harvest is the Lord’s, the labourers are His, and the call is to be faithful wherever we are sent.
The work is God’s, and we are just servants in His field. Our attitudes should be “Here I am, Lord, send me” (Isaiah 6:8). Ministers are encouraged to see every transfer as part of God’s unfolding plan for both their calling, the Church’s mission and God’s agenda.
Pastor Charles G. Tengey
TAC-GH, Lebanon District Pastor
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