Shared Space

"You do it, or just let me do it and get out of my way."

Moving out of a one-man-show mentality requires far more than simply acknowledging the need for change. In my experience of leading people into freedom, the greatest challenge is often transitioning from heavy-handed apostolic leadership to heavy-hearted apostolic leadership. I’d like to attempt to bridge that seemingly impossible gap.

Bringing people into a fuller revelation of their identity and purpose often requires us to share space. One of the biggest issues with the hierarchical structure we often see—commonly referred to as clergy vs. laity—is that it creates a "class system." This system forces people to fit into predetermined roles rather than being fitted into the roles they were designed for.

Restoring apostolic and prophetic foundations means responding to what is revealed by God, rather than shaping responses based on personal feelings or aligning with majority agreement to maintain an "establishment" mindset within the church.

Best preacher = best leader.
It might be true in some cases, but not always.

The "establishment" often claims the authority to determine when someone is ready for leadership. While there is some truth to this, the problem arises when it lacks the heart of the New Testament. Without the clear demonstration of Jesus Christ revealed through the Spirit of Prophecy, which testifies to His current life and intercessions, we end up with something far removed from His original intentions. We create a substitute and market it as substance. It gains significant influence but leads to bondage, not transformation. People become enslaved to the system.

As a result, they are programmed to work for someone but secretly long to do something for themselves. This creates a cycle where individuals say, "I’ll do my thing, then do what you tell me as part of my religious obligation." But the New Testament paints a very different picture. Let me use East Gate as an example: East Gate is not my ministry. That much is clear—I didn’t even name it. However, at this time, no one else within East Gate holds an equal or greater responsibility to fulfill the vision God has given. This vision ultimately leads to Him receiving everything He desires. I am open to sharing that level of authority and responsibility with anyone God sends. Absolutely! But it’s not easy. Part of healthy kingdom leadership involves stewarding the assignment as if your life depends on it—because it does. Does that make it "yours"? Sort of, but not really.

The responsibility and authority are ours to steward, but since all authority is delegated, kingdom leadership is a delegated authority. It includes both spiritual power with defined scope and relational influence. Unfortunately, we’ve taught people that they need a personal relationship with the "top leader," and pride reinforces this idea. This sustains the very system we claim to oppose.


When inviting someone into shared space that they will eventually steward, their unwillingness to work with you, rather than just FOR for you, reveals the state of their heart. They may think they’re submitting, but often they’re not. They’re obeying—and giving you only what they’re comfortable giving. This often reflects how they relate to Jesus as well. They need training to embrace shared space and find fulfillment in it, to the point that they no longer desire their own thing. None of us truly have our own thing—this is proven when crowns are cast down. Our "personal ministry" becomes a sacrifice for something larger and greater.

If someone you are leading refuses to share space with you:
-Bring them into a revelation of obedience rooted in performance. Lovingly guide them to their breaking point, where they acknowledge, "I can’t do this anymore." At this point, you have an opening to teach them the difference. Reward them—don’t punish them.
-Don’t let them stay comfortable in their current level of obedience. Even if their work makes your life easier, remember they don’t belong to you, nor do they exist to enhance your ministry. Your ministry exists to make them better—whether it’s 1 person or 100 million. If your ministry is too large to develop individuals, measure its real size by the number of lives truly being transformed. The rest is machinery and optics, often pulling people into fantasy rather than finishing well.
-Love them for the long term. None of this happens quickly. When you work with people, you are helping bring to the Father what He desires in them. This takes time. If your ministry doesn’t have time for people, it needs to mature—regardless of your fivefold calling.