An exhortation...

[votivesoul]

Hi, All

I want to share something that happened yesterday, Sunday the 23rd. I feel it's important to do so. It's not overly long or deep, but still, I think it is right that I reach out in whatever arena I can, to share. So here goes...

I am a part of a team of elders leading a local assembly in our little corner of SE WI. We have been meeting once a month for the past 6 months or so. It is very informal. We are NOT meeting to talk ministry, programs, schedules, calendars, or other "church business", like many, many leadership meetings do.

We do something else: we talk Bible, share concerns, share insights into what the Lord is doing in our church, and community. We merely talk. All is open format. None above anyone. All titles and positions are set aside. We're just brothers in a room.

We meet in homes, usually but not always mine, and have some food and/or a beverage. It's very relaxed, but also very edifying. There is no real agenda. God is definitely involved. We are being changed in some timely, dramatic ways (time and privacy doesn't permit a full disclosure, however).

So yesterday, after some conferral, we felt that our latest meeting should be devoted more to talking with God than with each other. We did of course chat, and honestly, in our personal discussions, we could all tell that God was using the different people in the room (five in all) to speak to us. There was comfort, edification, revelation, and exhortation for the souls present. Some of the people present are really going through some hard things. But God used the time to help them.

And then, God impressed upon us that the time for brother to brother discussion was at an end. It was time to seek Him. We began to pray. The Spirit fell in my living room. Each was led by their Head, even Christ, according to the will of God. Some wept and interceded before God. The charismata operated (Diverse tongues and interpretation) and a word of knowledge shared privately afterward. One brother was used to go and minister to the others, demonstrating a new level of growth, maturity, and gifting.

It was all quiet beautiful, and sanctified by the Lord.

I share all of that to share this (and take it for what it is; if it doesn't apply, let it fly, as the saying goes):

While all this was happening, I felt the Lord showing me a vision, if you will, in the which He made it clear that many pastoral and leadership teams are NOT doing what we were doing yesterday, when they meet and plan. Instead, it's just business as usual. After this was imparted, the understanding behind it was the following: that's why the movement is where it is (i.e. in a falling [not fallen] state).

So here is my exhortation:

If you are a part of your local assembly's leadership teams, or have access to them, I encourage you and your fellow ministers, that if you are not having these kind of meetings, especially to pray and seek the Lord (meaning shelve all the other "church business" and make the reason you are meeting together about Jesus) that you seriously consideration starting.

I don't imagine that this isn't happening elsewhere. I am SURE it is. But what awesome things the Lord could do in the Church if this happened more and more.

I leave you will this:

Acts 13:1-2,

1. Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

This was the beginning basis of why we all began to meet. To minister to the Lord, not to do business as usual.

And God is starting to do great things. Who knows what the Lord has in store down the road. Who knows what the Lord could start doing in your communities if such Acts 13:1-2 meetings start taking place in your church, among your elders.

Peace and God bless,

Aaron

[KeptByTheWord]

Thank you for sharing that encouraging word! It is wonderful to hear that the Lord did such a beautiful thing in your midst. I do hope it will encourage more brethren to seek the Lord in this way together, united for one purpose, to worship, and serve the Lord, and to set aside all the things that need to be done, and just seek the Lord. Much more can be accomplished in such a meeting as this, than a hundred meetings with "business as usual." Glad to hear the good report!

[Carl]

Hi, All

I want to share something that happened yesterday, Sunday the 23rd. I feel it's important to do so. It's not overly long or deep, but still, I think it is right that I reach out in whatever arena I can, to share. So here goes...

I am a part of a team of elders leading a local assembly in our little corner of SE WI. We have been meeting once a month for the past 6 months or so. It is very informal. We are NOT meeting to talk ministry, programs, schedules, calendars, or other "church business", like many, many leadership meetings do.

We do something else: we talk Bible, share concerns, share insights into what the Lord is doing in our church, and community. We merely talk. All is open format. None above anyone. All titles and positions are set aside. We're just brothers in a room.

We meet in homes, usually but not always mine, and have some food and/or a beverage. It's very relaxed, but also very edifying. There is no real agenda. God is definitely involved. We are being changed in some timely, dramatic ways (time and privacy doesn't permit a full disclosure, however).

So yesterday, after some conferral, we felt that our latest meeting should be devoted more to talking with God than with each other. We did of course chat, and honestly, in our personal discussions, we could all tell that God was using the different people in the room (five in all) to speak to us. There was comfort, edification, revelation, and exhortation for the souls present. Some of the people present are really going through some hard things. But God used the time to help them.

And then, God impressed upon us that the time for brother to brother discussion was at an end. It was time to seek Him. We began to pray. The Spirit fell in my living room. Each was led by their Head, even Christ, according to the will of God. Some wept and interceded before God. The charismata operated (Diverse tongues and interpretation) and a word of knowledge shared privately afterward. One brother was used to go and minister to the others, demonstrating a new level of growth, maturity, and gifting.

It was all quiet beautiful, and sanctified by the Lord.

I share all of that to share this (and take it for what it is; if it doesn't apply, let it fly, as the saying goes):

While all this was happening, I felt the Lord showing me a vision, if you will, in the which He made it clear that many pastoral and leadership teams are NOT doing what we were doing yesterday, when they meet and plan. Instead, it's just business as usual. After this was imparted, the understanding behind it was the following: that's why the movement is where it is (i.e. in a falling [not fallen] state).

So here is my exhortation:

If you are a part of your local assembly's leadership teams, or have access to them, I encourage you and your fellow ministers, that if you are not having these kind of meetings, especially to pray and seek the Lord (meaning shelve all the other "church business" and make the reason you are meeting together about Jesus) that you seriously consideration starting.

I don't imagine that this isn't happening elsewhere. I am SURE it is. But what awesome things the Lord could do in the Church if this happened more and more.

I leave you will this:

Acts 13:1-2,



This was the beginning basis of why we all began to meet. To minister to the Lord, not to do business as usual.

And God is starting to do great things. Who knows what the Lord has in store down the road. Who knows what the Lord could start doing in your communities if such Acts 13:1-2 meetings start taking place in your church, among your elders.

Peace and God bless,

Aaron
Thanks for sharing. I've read some of your other material and was quite pleased to hear a lot of what I've felt regarding traditional doctrine and practices in the Pentecostal and Apostolic churches.

[Michael The Disciple]

Great Bro! That is how Church "vision" is born!

[crakjak]

Very familiar with the context you present, our assembly is very much into community, in small groups, this is where most ministry takes place. We have the elders available at the conclusion of every public service. Visitors and those uninvolved often misunderstand, because they don't see so much public ministry.

[votivesoul]

Thanks for all the kind, encouraging words, everyone.

If I could prevail upon anyone reading and willing to pray for us, some good things are really starting to happen, things which are, in my view, truly Biblical.

Our building is up for sale. We've had some showings, and mild interest, but not much else.

We want to get out from underneath the burden of what we cannot afford. For the sake of good stewardship, but also because we want to move toward a "home church" model, we are hoping and praying God relieves us of the property soon.

Additionally, when the church was founded, it was created with a very hierarchical, one man runs the show polity. But that is changing, ever slowly but surely, and we are, if I'm not misjudging, finally moving toward a Biblical model of plural eldership.

There are a few other things as well, that I believe God wants to work out (denominational and organizational traditions and doctrines of men), that are going to take some time.

But the great thing is, God is doing all of this sovereignly. No one is forcing the issue. No one is demanding change. God Himself is moving upon the hearts of our leaders, teaching and exhorting to conform to the Word.

It's awesome to see and experience, but somewhat taxing, too. I've been waiting at least two years for this to take place, so please pray for me, for my patience and wisdom to increase. It's a hard balance to keep. Timing is everything! Speak too soon or too forcefully, and hesitation is created. Speak too late, or not at all, and doubt is created. Speak to the wrong person, and everything could fall apart.

I need God's help!

[crakjak]

Thanks for all the kind, encouraging words, everyone.

If I could prevail upon anyone reading and willing to pray for us, some good things are really starting to happen, things which are, in my view, truly Biblical.

Our building is up for sale. We've had some showings, and mild interest, but not much else.

We want to get out from underneath the burden of what we cannot afford. For the sake of good stewardship, but also because we want to move toward a "home church" model, we are hoping and praying God relieves us of the property soon.

Additionally, when the church was founded, it was created with a very hierarchical, one man runs the show polity. But that is changing, ever slowly but surely, and we are, if I'm not misjudging, finally moving toward a Biblical model of plural eldership.

There are a few other things as well, that I believe God wants to work out (denominational and organizational traditions and doctrines of men), that are going to take some time.

But the great thing is, God is doing all of this sovereignly. No one is forcing the issue. No one is demanding change. God Himself is moving upon the hearts of our leaders, teaching and exhorting to conform to the Word.

It's awesome to see and experience, but somewhat taxing, too. I've been waiting at least two years for this to take place, so please pray for me, for my patience and wisdom to increase. It's a hard balance to keep. Timing is everything! Speak too soon or too forcefully, and hesitation is created. Speak too late, or not at all, and doubt is created. Speak to the wrong person, and everything could fall apart.

I need God's help!

May the Lord continue to show you the paths He has set before you, and give you the eyes to see clearly, the heart to desire His way, and the courage to walk everyday in them!! Amen!