Copyright 2018 Theresa Harvard Johnson
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An apostle I highly respect and have looked to for insight, Apostle Joseph Prude, wrote a book a while back on apostolic metrons. Because I’ve studied so much of Apostle Prude’s material, I must acknowledge him in any advanced discussion I write about this topic. I was given the honor of writing the foreword for this book because of the “apostolic metron” released to me by the Lord.
In the book, however, he explains that a metron refers to one’s measured part, portion or measure of rule (Prude, 2015, p. 1). One extremely simple example is this: When a person is employed by a company, they only have authority or a measure of rule to do what has been assigned to them. A fry cook, for example, is in charge of the fries not the managing of the restaurant.
Within that definition, Apostle Prude (who has a 40 year, verifiable pioneering legacy within his metron) also identifies five tiers within that metron: (1) a place where one has the apostolic grace to operate; (2) where one has divine authority; (3) a place where “grace confirms” one’s measure; (4) a place of specific assignment; and (5) a place of apostolic, territorial domain (Prude, 2015, p. 2).
The best scripture on this subject, at least to me, is referenced in 2 Corinthians 10:14. In fact, Apostle Prude highlights this as the first scripture in this book. The passage literally warns us not to stretch beyond our “measure” within our metrons.
That measure can mean many things depending on where we stand in our spiritual growth and development. For example, when I was young in ministry it sometimes meant, “Theresa, all you are measured to do right now is lead people to Christ evangelistically.” In other words, I didn’t have the capacity at that age in ministry to shepherd or do what I am doing now. Therefore, I had to operate within my measure “during that time in my life.”
On another level, the definition implies that the mature metron has severe, apostolic precision and is targeted to a single focus or outcome. For example, one of my former mentor’s ministries focused on “severe sexual trauma.” Her ministry touched the lives of those who endured repeated sexual abuse over years at disturbing levels. I walked with her for 10 years in total awe at what I saw the Lord do. For 50 years this was her single focus. She dug that issue out of the bone an marrow. No matter what other issues people brought her way, “she” stayed in her metron – quickly noting that this was her measure for anyone who wanted her to do something else.
My mentor, Dr. Kluane Spake, has done the same with her message of revolutionary church reform. For over 30 years this has been her measure without deviation as she pioneered in Australia, Asia and beyond. Whew… what legacy many of us have in our journeys.
Not everyone is called to “extreme” measures or even to apostolic metrons that dig into the bone or marrow of an issue like Martin Luther King Jr, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Robert Greenleaf, etc. Those metrons, according to Apostle Prude (2016), are like razor blades within the apostolic that cut through in a pioneering capacity. It takes a lifetime to cultivate those types of giftings. (I have not arrived. I am still on this journey of digging out my metron.) Holy Spirit is the cultivator here, not flesh. The carrier of the oil becomes “the message bearer” like Christ. (God uses young people as well. This generation has so much wisdom. However, continuous maturation and fresh oil over time increases power in that metron. That is the heart behind what is shared here.)
Job 12:12 ESV clarifies this, “Wisdom is with the aged and understanding in length of days.” No matter what people teach, EXPERIENCE does matter! Why because Godly life-wisdom is drawn from here.
Operating in one’s measure isn’t a limitation. Rather it is a call to be intentional and effective within the authority given in that dispensation of our lives. For a long time, I was an intentional poet, an intentional evangelist, etc. We have to see our measure from the different places we gain victory through or experience in. I realize now that MEASURE or METRON is the hope for “expansion” as we grow and walk through our process. Maturity, in most of our lives, causes our measure to be extended!
I thank God that my measure is literally, the SCRIBAL REALM. This isn’t a less than anointing… which is what I thought for a long time. I could see the beauty of this as other apostles would challenge me on my calling. So many tried to dissuade me in believing I did not have a real ministry. Some of you KNOW what I am talking about — especially if you are a woman or an artisan.
Measure is God’s protection, ensuring that his sons do not wreck their ships, cross the boundaries set for them or waste their time working on something they are not anointed or called to do. MEASURE/METRON IS A GIFT NOT A CURSE! It only becomes a problem when hearts covet.
Everything has a measure (Job 38).
My former pastor told me one day: “Theresa, I’m a local pastor assigned to McDonough, Georgia. I know this like I know my name. It doesn’t mean God doesn’t want more for me, it is my portion… and I enjoy every single day of it.” When he said this to me, I heard it through the ears of a man who has been shepherding for 30 years. People from around the globe have come to that congregation for ministry and healing. His calling isn’t a limitation, rather it is set in a particular area for a very specific people.
Not everyone is called to “extreme” measures of ministry or even to apostolic metrons that dig into the bone or marrow of an issue like Martin Luther King, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Robert Greenleaf, etc. Those metrons, according to Apostle Prude (2016), are like razor blades within the apostolic that cut through in a pioneering capacity (p. 3). It takes a lifetime to cultivate those types of giftings. (I have not arrived. I am still on this journey of experience and revelation myself.)
However, we can all operate within the measure given to us now!
I heard Father say, “NOW IS THE TIME TO EXPERIENCE YOUR MEASURE! Now is the time to take hold of your TALENT (the parable) … and do with it what you know to do at the time. This is the time to extend yourself in your area… no farther.” Amen.
This is NOT a less than… but a CRY to be effective where we are currently planted… AS WE GROW, EXPAND AND ARE ENTRUSTED with more. This is what makes 1 Corinthians 12 so powerful… as we see ourselves as the Body, not individuals. When we can grasp this… there will be no cracks in things in the Kingdom. Every spot will be filled, every pigment colored.
As a lifelong student, I admire the advanced metrons of those who have put in the time around me. I draw on their metrons. We are meant to complement one another, not covet. We are meant to exist koinonia, not in competition.
When we understand our measure through relationship with Holy Spirit, competition will cease as maturity takes hold! We will begin walking complimentary… as helpers one to another. We will recognize metrons and embrace them… NOT COMPARE THEM with others.
Reference
Prude, J. (2015) Apostolic Metrons. Cleveland, OH.
Purchase book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VV7G6XP/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
