You are Commended to God – Chapter 23

Dear Brother,

There was a snail at the bottom of a well.  The well was exactly twenty feet deep.  Each day the snail would crawl two feet up; but each night he would slide one foot back down.  How long did it take the snail to get out of the well?  Some logically conclude that the snail progresses at a rate of only one foot each 24 hours; therefore it would take twenty days to get out.  However, on the nineteenth day he reaches the top and does not slide back because he is out.  So we discover that some things are completed sooner than we anticipated.

This is the last of the series of letters that I have been writing to encourage, perhaps even to disciple you, brother, in your relationship with your apostolic oversight.  I have written about the definition of your calling and identifying your joints in the Body.  I talked about your covenant relationship and ratifying it with your tithes.  I’ve encouraged you to press in for cousel, not waiting for your pastor to chase after you.  Further, I have urged you to clarify your vision, and keep your spiritual ear attuned to God.  Remember also that I recommended that you understand the expectations that you have for the function of your pastor and his realistic expectations of serving with you.  There are many other things that I have shared with you, hoping that as you freely receive, so you would also freely give.

I pray that these modern epistles have been a blessing to you.  I hope you have also been challenged by some of the things that I have shared and that your communication with your apostle/pastor has been enhanced through my exhortations to you.

During this time of letter writing, I have often stopped and prayed for you, believing that you would receive, not my words only, but revelation from the Lord.  “And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)  I also commend you to your pastor, as your apostolic oversight, knowing that he will fulfill the Lord’s call upon his life to minister the grace of God unto you.

Thank you for allowing me to share.

Bruce

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Encouragement for Your Apostle – Chapter 21

Dear Brother,

The culture in Africa is quite different than what most of us know.  In order to maintain my peace in the midst of people not showing up, communications totally lost, no one meeting you at the airport and drinking warm Cokes; I learn to say, “It’s Africa”.  Yet, on this trip, I knew prayer warriors were interceding for me while I traveled and ministered, I found myself more often saying, “Somebody’s praying for me.”  Shortly after I returned home, I met with a group of the men to whom I give oversight.  They began to tell me how they had been moved to pray and asked their fellowship to intercede.  Because of this under girding prayer, I was healthy, strong, annointed, and effective.  it was the prayers of the saints!

Brother, I’m writing to encourage you to be an intercessor and supporter of your apostoic oversight’s life and ministry.  Uphold him in prayer.  Financially support his work.  Send him encouragement.  Tell him you’re praying.

Perhaps the Lord would have you set aside a specific time to pray and fast for your apostle/pastor.  Allow me to point out some things that are very likely to happen if you fast while praying.  First, you will become empty, ready to be filled afresh.  King David said, “I humbled my soul with fasting.”  (Psalm 35:13)  You will more readily, more clearly, receive from the Lord.  Second, you will empty yourself to hear and serve the man of God whom you honor.  Remember that Jesus “emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.” (Philippians 2:7)  Third, when you are immersed in this kind of intercession, you will find your spirit and your apostle/pastor’s spirit knit more closely.

During the next few days, could I suggest that you do two things.  First, set aside a specific time to fast and pray for your apostle/pastor.  Second, send him a note of encouragement (perhaps with a love gift)  just to let him know that you appreciate him.  I believe that as you honor him, God will bless you.  You will be sowing seeds that will bring you rich harvest in a time when you need prayer and encouragement.

I commend you for your faithfulness.  May the Lord give you abundant revelation and may your sense of anticipation grow with excitement as you serve Jesus!

Bruce

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Meet with Your Apostle – Chapter 20

Dear Brother,

It was planned for seven of the men who were directly related to meet with me for a short retreat.  I had gone aside for a day to pray for the men, seeking God for specific words of encouragement or instruction for each of them.  I filled several pages of my note pad with brief words for each man.  There were words of knowledge and wisdom from above, other notes were prophetic, and some were thoughts that came to mind after a season of specific prayer.  Also, I had a message that burned in my spirit for these men.  Real disappointment came when two others simply did not show up!  I was genuinely concerned, were they in an automobile accident?  Did a wolf get them?  What happened?

I am writing to encourage you, brother, to seek opportunities to physically be with your appostolic oversight whenever he calls a meeting.  Make it top priority to attend any meeting with your apostolic oversight.  Consider yourself a vital team member.  Participate with a ready spirit.  Here is a place for you to benefit, so anticipate receiving.

You are one of a special company, one joined to your apostle/pastor, as your apostolic oversight.  He understands the apostle Peter’s exhortaiton:  “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers–eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (I Peter 5:2-3).  Proverbs 27:23 tells him to “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.” (NIV)  As you understand that you are connected (by joint) to your apostle/pastor, know that spiritual life from the Lord will flow from him into you.

Don’t ever cause your shepherd to fear that a wolf might have gotten you.  If, for any reason, you cannot attend a meeting, contact him, let him know about any conflicts.  As he seeks the Lord in your behalf and makes intercession; as he prepares with you in mind, he has made a real envestment in you, brother.  Allow that investment to gain real interest in you life.

This week see if the Lord will show you how you can more fully commit yourself.  May the Lord enrich you with the sense of His presence and the revelation of His covenant.

Bruce

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Never Manipulate People – Chapter 19

Dear Brother,

After I had spoken to a ministers gathering in South Africa, one of the pastors asked me if I would speak to the subject of exercising authority in the local church.  During his question his hand movements (body language) were like karate chops.  Using the same karate hand motions I told him I really didn’t know about that kind of authority.  But then using hand movements that indicated lifting and supporting, I told him I would try to speak to auhority in the Church.  He, and all the other pastors gathered, understood what I was saying:  That authority must be the work of servanthood, up-lifting and under girding.

I’m writing to encourage you to avoid any attempts to control or manipulate people.  The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian Church, saying, “Fulfill my joy, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”.  (Phil. 2:2-5)  Another translation says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 2:3-5 NIV)

Let me tell you about a man who knew how to take control.  Starting as a respected leader in the local fellowship, he “loved to have the preeminence among them.” (see III John 1:9-10)  Before long, he was speaking maliciously about others.  Not satisfied with that, he refused to welcome apostolic brothers.  He was in charge and he manipulated people.  As a result, many precious folks left that fellowship and some have been grievously injured.

I am writing, brother, to encourage you to be on guard to never attempt to control or minipulate people.  Always hold others in high esteem.  Sometimes there are folks in the church whom we tend to see as immature or unlearned, yet the Bible is clear; we are to respect them above ourselves.  If you find yourself having difficulty in this area, I urge you to get together with your apostolic oversight, and join forces to overcome before a controlling spirit has opportunity to take root.

When we have difficulty in relationships, let us find Biblical principles of appealing to authority.  We need to maintain an attitude of humility before God, and invite apostolic authority to help us resolve conflict.  Let’s do our best to exemplify the spirit of Jesus rather than becoming dominating or harsh.

Bruce

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Your Apostle’s Authority – Chapter 18

Dear Brother,

He was a battle hardened pastor.  The lines in his face seemed like scars from the warfare of conflict and contention.  A mixture of sadness and weariness showed in his eyes as he told me that he would never pastor a large flock again.  “I’ve been hurt too many times,” he said, “I’ve never yet found a trustworthy elder.  From now on, I’ll pastor alone.”  My heart filled with compassion, I understood his wounds; men he had believed in, later turned to undermine him and the ministry suffered.

After this pastor and I had prayed together, I opened the Scriptures to share with him about the work of the apostle.  One particular verse seemed to bring revelation in his spirit.  In his letter to Titus, the young apostle, just before Paul gave the criterion for selecting elders, he wrote these words:  “Titus, my true son in our common faith: … The reason I left you in Crete was that you should set in order the things that are wanting, and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.” (Titus 1:4-5)

I showed this disappointed man, that God gave apostles the duty of ordaining elders; it is not the task of the local pastor.  I was able to help him see the Bible words used for “pastor”, “elder”, “bishop”, “overseer” and “shepherd” were all synonymous terms.  If a pastor ordains an elder, he ordains an equal to himself.  Thus, if later there is contention, there is no authority to resolve or mediate the conflict.  However, in God’s order, an apostle with the authority to commission an elder, can, if need be, decommission him.

The purpose of this letter, brother, is to help you see more clearly the responsibility God has given your apostolic oversight.  If there is ever strife between elders, it can, as your apostle/pastor exercises his influence, be resolved in a Godly manner.  This is true, not because he has such great knowledge and wisdom; it is the gift of Christ in him.  Just as the gift of the evangelist functions to win the lost, the gift of the apostle functions to bring order in the local church.  There is a great need for plurality of ministry, yet there is also need for authority and accountability.  It is an apostle’s function to bring correction when there is dissention. (See I Corinthians 3)

Settle this deep in your own spirit, that elders should not attempt to do the work of the apostle.  And that you must hold your apostle/pastor in high esteem for his work’s sake, that through the honor you give, his authority will be released to “set in order the things that are wanting”. “We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.” (I Thessalonians 5:12-13)

Bruce

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