Distinguishing between Prototypes, Types and Counterfeits in the Church
After being in the pastorate for more then three decades, I am convinced that in every church there are prototype leaders that best express the heart, intentions, and characteristics of the overseeing visionary of a church and or organization. This prototype is able to think like the visionary leader and be trusted when it comes to representing them in most situations. These are also the most loyal, faithful and trustworthy of all leaders. In some churches, there is more than one prototype; however, in most cases there is one person above all who embodies and carries the DNA of the main leader. (It is also possible that a married couple may embody a prototype – and or that one spouse does and not the other)
There also may be many leaders in the church that are “types” who represent the visionary leader as well but none do so as good as those in the category as the prototype. In an effort not to get bogged down in minutia, I am going to focus on knowing the difference between prototypes and counterfeits in this article; (and not deal with “types”). This is essential to understand because, it is your prototype that you should trust the most and invest the most time in, as a possible successor and or replacement for you. If not as a replacement, they will serve as the most qualified “second person” in your organization or church.
It is also possible in my opinion that a person can serve as a prototype but be surpassed by another person who progresses further and has more passion than a previous prototype. Furthermore, understanding the difference between prototypes and counterfeits is essential if a visionary is going to build a strong foundation of leadership.
To further unpack my view of Prototypes, in Genesis 1:26-27, God called humankind to be His image bearers; hence, we were called to represent him to the world.
God also commanded us in verse 28 to reproduce ourselves by partnering with him in procreation by having children through the biblical union of marriage. Thus, human beings categorically are to serve as the main prototypes of God to steward the created order (Psalm 8:4) (According to verse 1:27 both a male and female are needed to reflect God’s image which is why it is important to have one man and one woman committed together in marriage to perpetuate God’s image to the next generation)
Individually, we also know that the Lord Jesus is the exact representation of the father and is His image and likeness to us (Hebrews 1:1,2, John 1:1; 14:6-10.) Also, in the epistles we read in Ephesians 4: 11-12 that the five cluster gifts are called to equip the saints until they attain unto the fullness and stature of Christ (Ephesians 4:13-16.) Hence, we see the biblical principle that leaders are called to reproduce themselves in others and establish them in the faith to be like unto Jesus (Romans 8:29-30.)
In my experience, I have found there are some I have discipled and established that became the main carriers of my DNA and ministry grace (both my biological and spiritual children) that eventually became prototypes that were able to think, act and minister in many ways like me
As we read in Scripture, Moses had Joshua as his prototype / Elijah had Elisha, Jesus had the 12- especially Peter, James and John / Paul had Timothy / Peter had John Mark.
(In the context of this article, I am not suggesting that counterfeits are not true believer, just that they are not a person to invest a lot of time building into your ministry.)There are also those many may think are loyal sons to visionary leaders but turn out to be counterfeits.
In scripture, we read that Moses had Korah (Numbers 16), David had Absalom (2 Samuel 15-17)/ Elisha had Gehazi (2 Kings 5), Jesus had Judas, and Paul had Demas (2 Timothy 4:10.)
The following thirteen traits reveal the difference between Prototypes and Counterfeits:
1-Prototypes know your heart / Counterfeits merely mimic your actions
2-Prototypes have your DNA / Counterfeits crave your ministry
3-Prototypes love you as a person /Counterfeits love and desire your influence
4-Prototypes receive you as their spiritual parent /Counterfeits use you as a temporary stepping stone
5-Prototypes rejoice in your success/ Counterfeits rejoice in your failure
6-Prototypes celebrate your gifts / Counterfeits are jealous of your gifts
7- Prototypes cover and protect you/ Counterfeits want to uncover and expose your weaknesses
8-Prototypes are committed to your success/ Counterfeits are in (silent) competition with you
9- Prototypes will never (spiritually and emotionally)leave you for greener pastures/ Counterfeits will leave as soon as they get what they want
10- Prototypes will be loyal even when you cannot help them anymore/ Counterfeits will forsake you when you cannot bless them anymore
11- Prototypes are committed to your vision/ Counterfeits have their own agenda
12- Prototypes Speak faith to you/ Counterfeits speak flattery to you
13-Prototypes carry your vision / Counterfeits carry their own vision
In conclusion, it is my opinion that you discern the prototypes among you and invest the most time into them. They and the other “types” will faithfully build the Kingdom with you. We are to love the counterfeits in our midst, but not trust them with anything of importance. Of course it is possible for prototypes to regress and merely become types and or counterfeits, and it is possible for counterfeits to repent and become types and prototypes, especially once they read an article like this! However, until a person (especially a counterfeit) proves himself or herself over a long period of time they are probably still counterfeits.
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The enemy comes like a bright light correct? How do you distinguish the characteristic of counterfeit and/or prototypes, in depth? Does a leader need to have a relationship with the person, and the leaders relate everything to the pastor? Does it not only relate to the way they represent themselve in the kingdom, or does it go to how they treat their family and children? Shouldn’t the Sheppard know about their sheep, in and out the kingdom? How about if you have a prototype, that fits every description above, but once they leave the kingdom they act and walk differently, and people are looking at who he is outside the kingdom, and is being related by his walk with family and friends etc…Does a prototype have to distinguish these characteristics outside of the kingdomost as well, and how does the Sheppard know he is walking the way he/she should exemplifying christ?
Awesome article. God bless you!
I often hear Apostle John Kelly say that he prays everyday for the Almighty God to grant him first, wisdom, next, a discerning spirit etc. That’s a great key! Why? Humans are basically complicated, and for most times, impostors. They can feign and fake what they are not. You’ll find this fact mostly among the criminals and the addicts. After all, is a criminal not another name for a sinner?
Those people are difficult to figure out, whether they are on the pulpit or in the pew. They can bottle up their next plan, and meting out surprises and shocks to trusting people around them, even leaders. It’s such that Jeremiah’s talking about when he said, “The heart is more deceitful than all and is desperately wicked. Who can know it?” Jeremiah 17 verse 9.
Well, chapter 11 verse 20 of the same Book seems to answer the question, “Who can know the heart?'” It says among other things that God tries the feelings of the heart. Likewise, Psalm 44:21 confirms that ONLY GOD KNOWS the secrets of the heart.
So, what options are leaders left with in selecting a prototypes? Great question!
Our Lord Jesus Christ never leaves His own stranded. He delineates the litmus tests for a true leader, shepherd or what have you in John 10 verses 1-18. Verse 14 interests me vitally. It says; “I am the good Shepherd, and I KNOW My own, and My own KNOW Me.”
The word “Know” in this context involves having true information about another’s SKILLS and CHARACTER. Jesus knows! But do we? Often times we as leaders lie to ourselves (funny), then to others that we KNOW when actually we do not.
Apostle Kelly’s style, prayer, and asking God specifically for WISDOM and DISCERNING Spirit, thereby, granting us the ability to decode sounds from heaven in our hearing, and seeing men as men, not as trees seems to me as the best way to go when selecting an “Indispesable assistant!”
As prototypes play very key part in generational transfers, their search and selection must be God-geared, not just by what they do, but by who they are!
Thanks Apostle Joseph Mattera for this post. Please keep it coming. It is highly informative. And may our God grant you extra grace of articulation, strength, wisdom, protection as you travel globally, and provision of human and material resources that you may need, in order to keep doing whatever that is required of you, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
Apostle Kayce Ofodile