012: Exploring APEST Culture with Lindsey Harwood
What if the church’s leadership problem isn’t a lack of talent — but a lack of diverse, Jesus-given gifts functioning together?
In this episode of the 100 Movements Podcast, Brian Johnson and Lindsay Harwood explore APEST culture (apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, teacher) — one of the six essential elements of movement DNA (mDNA). Lindsay also shares practical ways leaders can activate APEST in real-world church and organizational contexts, and what breaks when we default to only one or two leadership voices.
What is APEST?
APEST describes five giftings Jesus gives to form and mature the people of God (Ephesians 4):
Apostle — the sent pioneer who extends the mission into new ground
Prophet — orients the community to God’s heart (presence + justice)
Evangelist — makes the gospel “viral” and invites people in
Shepherd — builds family, care, protection, and belonging
Teacher — grounds the community in wisdom, truth, and sustainable structure
Why APEST unlocks movement
APEST isn’t about titles. It’s about identity and function. When all five gifts are active, the church becomes more mature, resilient, and capable of multiplication. When one or two dominate, the community becomes misshaped:
Innovation without care collapses trust
Care without sending becomes inward
Truth without mission becomes stagnant
Mission without discernment loses alignment with God’s heart
Growth without structure becomes chaos
The biggest barrier leaders face
A common mistake is starting with existing structure (“How do I fit APEST into my org chart?”) instead of starting with biblical function (“How do we ensure all five gifts are active among us?”). APEST often requires a real shift: less control, more mutuality, and a willingness to let other gifts lead.
A practical way to start activating APEST (the calendar audit)
One of the most useful practices Lindsay describes: review your annual calendar (events, rhythms, initiatives) and ask:
What’s apostolic (new ground, experimenting, pioneering)?
What’s prophetic (listening to God, justice response, discernment)?
What’s evangelistic (invitation, rallying, message clarity)?
What’s shepherding (care, community, belonging)?
What’s teaching (wisdom, formation pathway, structure)?
If one category is missing, don’t just “hire for it.” Start by designing one experiment that gives that gift room to function.
Next steps
Take the 5Q APEST assessment: 5qcentral.com
Take the mDNA Strengths Assessment