The challenge is clear: we’re great at starting things in the movement world, but not so great at making them last. Guy tackles this head-on with a framework that’s both simple and profound – Start, Strengthen, and Sustain. But here’s the key: these aren’t sequential steps; they’re interconnected elements that need to work together from day one.

The Heart of the Matter

At its core, this is about moving beyond the “rock star catalyst” mentality.

Guy openly shares his own journey of having to “die to multiply” – learning that true apostolic leadership isn’t about building your own platform but about creating something that outlasts you. It’s the difference between being a spiritual celebrity and a spiritual parent.

The Missing Link

Most ministry conversations focus on either starting new works or maintaining existing ones. But Guy points out that we’re missing something crucial: the art of sustainability. This isn’t just about keeping things going.

It’s about creating systems and relationships that allow ministry to multiply naturally while maintaining its DNA.

Breaking Down the Barriers

One of the biggest problems Guy identifies is the split between apostolic leaders (the starters) and shepherd-teachers (the establishers). In the West, this has led to apostolic types starting nonprofits while shepherds run local churches – creating unnecessary division. 

The solution? Understanding that both gifts need to work together, with prophetic voices helping bridge the gap.

The Family Model

Instead of viewing church as an institution or organization, Guy advocates seeing it as a family of families – a decentralized relational network. This shifts everything: leadership becomes more about spiritual parenting than program management, and growth becomes about maturity rather than just numbers.

The Power of Release

Here’s where many leaders stumble: they either hold on too tight or let go too soon. Guy describes a better way, using the example of a father-son relationship. Just as a wise father prepares his son for independence while maintaining relationship, apostolic leaders need to intentionally develop and release local leadership.

Real Talk About Time

Guy’s refreshingly honest about the pace of ministry, especially in North America. 

Everything takes longer than we’d like. But instead of fighting this reality, he suggests embracing it by working simultaneously in both local and new contexts. This provides both the immediate engagement apostolic leaders crave and the patient development needed for sustainability.

The Practical Path Forward

The framework plays out in specific ways:

1. Start with intention – don’t just launch things; plant with purpose
2. Strengthen through relationship – focus on developing spiritual parents
3. Sustain through release – build systems that empower local leadership
4. Work as teams – no one person has all the gifts needed
5. Think generationally – plan for impact beyond your own timeline

The Core Commitments

Success in this framework requires specific commitments:

• Willingness to submit to others, even as a leader
• Patience to develop leaders rather than just programs
• Courage to release authority to local leadership
• Humility to work alongside different types of leaders
• Vision to see beyond immediate results

The Bigger Picture

What makes this framework powerful is how it addresses both immediate and long-term needs. It’s not just about making things last – it’s about creating movements that naturally reproduce while maintaining their essential character. 

It’s about building something that can adapt and grow without losing its core DNA.

The Bottom Line

The key insight running through all of this is simple but profound: sustainable ministry isn’t about building better programs or systems, though those matter. It’s about developing mature leaders who can carry the work forward and raise up others to do the same. 

As Guy puts it, “If you are an apostolic, your role is to make sure that the leaders are developed to carry on and sustain the work through generations.”

This isn’t just theory – it’s battle-tested wisdom from someone who’s lived it out in both local and global contexts. The beauty of Guy’s framework is that it works at every level, from small groups to international movements. It’s about creating a culture of growth and development that naturally leads to multiplication without sacrificing depth or stability.

The challenge now is clear: will we have the courage to move beyond quick wins and celebrity leadership to build something that truly lasts? 

The path is there. The question is whether we’re willing to walk it.