Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:5-6)
An apostle plants; a pastor waters.
People in Corinth were getting upset because they were honoring one ministry office above the other. Some refused to hear Apollos because they only respected the apostolic office of Paul. Others didn’t listen to Paul because they followed Apollos, the pastor.
The apostolic ministry plants new works where the Spirit of God instructs them.
When I was called into the office of an apostle, God had me start a church in Atlanta while I was still pastoring in Detroit. I had no idea how I would do it, but I knew if God assigned it, it could be done. As I prayed and sought God and acted in obedience, God gave me insight on how to do it effectively.
As I followed, God gave me more assignments in Phoenix, Philadelphia, Mississippi, and Jacksonville. Some people have asked, “Why would you go plant a church in places where there are already churches?” You need to understand that different churches are similar to various ministers. God calls every minister, but everyone serves a different purpose.
Similarly, every church is called by God - planted by God - to perform a specific mission and assignment. God sends particular people to particular churches to assist in the task that the church is called to accomplish.
Practical Application – If God says to do it, say yes. Then spend a significant amount of time in prayer and seeking God about the specifics on how to accomplish the assignment that God has for you to do.
Titus 1:5; Acts 19:8