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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Introduce Others to Your Apostle – Chapter 22

Dear Brother,

For more than twenty years I was part of a large ministry fellowship.  I joined this group for the fellowship and I worked to further their cause as a member of the executive board and later became it’s president.  Our purpose was fellowship.  Our name was fellowship.  We sould say, “Fellowship is the name of the game.”  After all those years, I discovered two things:  First, those men whom I first knew; it is sad to say that I don’t know them any better today than I did twenty years ago.  They are fine men, each of us simply maintained our independence and did not build relationships.  The second thing I discovered was that there were a few men whose hearts were knit together with mine.  Relationships have been built and we have a depth of commitment, love and accountability that I believe is eternal.

I am writing to encourage you, brother, to introduce other men in ministry to your apostolic oversight, telling them of the relationship that you have with him.  I strongly suggest that you testify to other such men of God’s blessings you receive through apostolic oversight.

“Follow my example,” said the apostle Paul, “as I follow the example of Christ.  I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you” (I Corinthians 11:1-2)  We see that Paul’s first instruction to others was by the example of his life, then he commended them for remembering him and his teachings.  So I urge you to follow your apostle/pastor’s example and help others to relate to him also.

Would you prayerfully consider other men that the Lord would have you to introduce to your apostle/pastor.  You will discover that many men have the same needs as you.  They are in real need of oversight, accountability, and real joint in the Body of Christ.  Make an opportunity soon to share your testimony with another man of God.

May God bless you and those you love.  You are a blessing, and I commend you for your faithfulness and loving support of your pastor.

Bruce

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Forming a Covenant Relationship – Chapter 4

Dear Brother,

He was a good brother and we had talked together about his ministry.  This fellow’s heart was set toward God.  I loved him and his family.  I had some concerns about some decisions (or perhaps indecisions) he was making.  Yet, I did not presume to have authority to question him, or bring correction to his life.  I knew that my words would, most likely, influence him, but I did not consider him to be submitted to me.  If he were to read Hebrews 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves:  for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief:  for that is unprofitable for you.”  Surely he did not think of me as one who had rule over him.

To my great surprise, a few years later, (after he had gone through some terrible trials), I discovered that he considered me as his pastor/oversight.  If I had known, I would have accepted much more responsibility to watch for his soul.  At least, I am confident, I would have spoken into his life, prayed more fervently, and probed for understanding with him.

The first element of covenant is to declare an oath.  Your proclaimed word is your bond.   A covenant is initiated, brother, as you speak a vow or make a promise.   You also need to ratify your covenant by sacrifice, and then remember and give heed in your covenant relationship.

I am writing this letter to encourage you to solidify your relationship with your apostolic oversight through a spoken covenant.  Certainly we know that we all need a pastor; one who will give us oversight and counsel.  However, we need to settle in our hearts as to what are our expectations.  How much are we accountable to him?  What weight of responsibility should he carry?  If we do not prayerfully answer these questions we will walk with either presumption or neglect.  Some may walk in fellowship, but do not work to build genuine relationship.

This week I urge you to meditate about your relationship with your apostle/pastor.  Have you and he solidified your relationship, clearly speaking a covenant?  Jonathan and David made a covenant, “because he loved him as his own soul.” (I Samuel 18:3)  Make this a matter of prayer and then take action as the Lord gives you grace.  May God give you words to speak and a heart to live courageously.

Bruce

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