Go into all the world and preach the gospel teaching them to observe all things I have commanded

LEADERSHIP
Called to Unity; Part 2
loving one another above ourselves, we can overcome each of these following challenges.

A Teaching Newsletter of Pastor Gregg Johnson and The Mission Church Ministry Staff August 2001

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der to the man according to his work. (Prov. 24:29). Rather than venting our anger toward those whove hurt In my experience as a pastor the us or even trying to exact revenge we most difficult aspects of church life are 1. WHEN YOU ARE PERSONALLY should keep our emotions in check and rarely doctrine or dogma, but rather the deal with things on a rational, logical OFFENDED stuff of relationships. This is usually Luke 17:1; Then He said to the disciples, level. Prov. 29:11 says, A fool vents all what drives people apartnot debate "It is impossible that no offenses should his feelings, But a wise man holds them over the Trinity or eschatological chrocome, but woe to him through whom they back. Prov. 19:11 says, The discretion nologybut how one person believes he do come! of a man makes him slow to anger, And was mistreated or how another was ofThe Greek word for offend comes his glory is to overlook a transgresfended by hurtful words. While most from the word skandalon. It originally sion. Prov. 14:29 says, He who is Christians agree that unity is Christs referred to the part of a trap to which bait slow to wrath has great understanding, desire for His body, the sad truth is many was attached. One commentary reads: But he who is impulsive exalts folly. of us have left churches because we were The rare noun skandalon describes a Second, maintain a spirit of love mad at the leaders, broken off fellowand forgiveness. The ship because were upset with people While most Christians agree that unity is Christs desire spirit in which we reor have been divided against one for His body, the sad truth is many of us have left spond to offense is another over personal offenses. crucial to a healthy This is not a new dilemma for churches because we were mad at the leaders, broken off resolution of differthe body of Christ. Paul addressed fellowship because were upset with people or have been ences. Eph. 4:31 says, division that existed in the church at divided against one another over personal offenses. Let all bitterness, Corinth. He urged them to be wrath, anger, clamor, perfectly united in mind and trapspecifically the stick of a trap to and evil speaking be put away from you, thought (1 Cor. 1:10). To the Ephesian which bait was attached. In classical with all malice. And be kind to one church he wrote, Get rid of all bitterGreek the noun often carries a metaphoric another, tenderhearted, forgiving one ness, rage and anger, brawling and meaning relating to the idea of being another, just as God in Christ forgave slander, along with every form of malyou. No matter how right your posicaught in a trap or offense. ice (Eph. 4:30-31). His concern was that If you ever try to catch a mouse, you tion, if your attitude is wrong, you are believers who allowed offenses to divide must have good bait. It doesnt matter how wrong. If we approach the offender with them were still carnal and acting out of fancy or elaborate the mechanism is, if it an over bearing, confrontational spirit, worldly principles. As a result, he delivdoesnt have good bait, you will never we are demonstrating a rebellious spirit ered a strong rebuke: For since there is snare your prey. The skandalon or of- which flows from Satan himself. This jealousy and quarreling among you, are fense is the bait that Satan uses to snare us will only aggravate an already volatile you not worldly? (1 Cor. 3:3). in a trap. John Bevere wrote, Offenses situation. Prov. 15:1 warns us, a soft Most churches do not die because are tools of the devil to bring people into answer turns away wrath, But a harsh people are fighting the devil. Most captivityAs I travel across the US minis- word stirs up anger. Conversely, if we churches die because people are tering, I have been able to observe one of approach the situation with the spirit of fighting one another. In fact, the Inside This Issue the enemys most deadly and deceptive Philippians 2:3 which says, Let nothing devils most effective weapon in traps. It imprisons countless Christians, be done through selfish ambition or stopping the advancement of severs relationships and widens the exist- conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each Featured Article Gods kingdom is to spark diviing breaches between us. It is the trap of esteem others better than himself, then The Call to Unity; part 2 sion. He understands what Jesus we will reflect the spirit of Christ which offense. Pastor Gregg Johnson said about his own kingdom: "If Many are on the hook right now. injects grace and mercy into the differa kingdom is divided against Faith Foundations The devil set a trap by using the bait of ence and turns away wrath. itself, that kingdom cannot stand. Hungering for Holiness Equally important to the preservaharsh words or hurtful actions of people And if a house is divided against Rich Langford and they took the bait. They have been tion of unity is a spirit of forgiveness. In itself, that house cannot To The Timothy snared by offense and are trapped in anger, most circumstances where unity has stand. (Mark 3:24-25) The Building a Healthy Youth Ministry resentment, unforgiveness and isolation. been shattered, it can usually be traced devil has done an effective job in Pastor Nikil Adwalpalker Fortunately, however, we dont have to be back to one person who is unwilling to causing believers to disqualify snared. The Word of God offers practical forgive. He wants to hold a grudge Family Focus: themselves from blessing by Marriage: The Foundation of Family grieving the Holy Spirit through guides to deliver us from these traps the much like the unforgiving servant in the parable of Matt. 18. In this story, the enemy sets. Tom Readyoff anger and contention. Ephesians First, control your emotions. Greek word for forgive means to cast says, Grieve not the Tearing Down the Walls Whether you hear about a criticism spoken away. But this servant was unwilling to There are five basic Darren Adwalpalker behind your back or are confronted by it cast away the debt owed to him. Inways that division can enter a The Role of the Anointing; part 4 directly, beware of knee-jerk responses stead he held onto the debt and required church. Serving as a pastor has or hasty reactions. Our tendency is rush in payment of what was owed. Mark Wright given me the unfortunate opporThis is exactly what we do when an defend ourselves but scriptures caution tunity of witnessing these dyus differently. Do not say, I will do to we refuse to forgive. We treat the ofnamics all too often. I believe, however, him just as he has done to me; I will ren(Continued on page 2) that if Gods people are committed to

Pastor Gregg Johnson

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LEADERSHIP

Breaking Down the Walls; Taking Peters Challenge

towards the Gentiles. You are well been witnessing. In my community lens through which we interpret the aware, he said, that it is against our Garden Grove, Non-Hispa nic Bible and understand God. Gods plan for humankind, howlaw for a Jew to associate with a Gentile Whites, Asian/Pacific Islanders and Many times even preachers are or visit him. (Acts 10:28). What he Hispanics each occupy an even 30% ever, is much bigger than an individunaware of the full implications of the failed to recognize that Jesus himself of the population. With such an uals lens or any single cultures arScriptures upon their lives. The Aposcame to tear down boundaries between even mix of people, the term ticulation. For this reason, it is at the tle Peter preached a famous sermon on Jews and Gentiles. In fact, Jesus repri- minority is becoming obsolete. center of Gods heart for true unity to the day of Pentecost and quoted from manded Jewish leaders through the par- Garden Grove is not alone. In fact, exist among people of all cultures the book of Joel: In the last days, I under the banner of Jesus able of the Good Samaritan, in will pour out my Spirit upon all Luke 10, by showing their hypo- In fact, all over the world, we are experiencing Christ. For he himself is our flesh.... (Acts 2:17). However, critical ways. Accomplishing the mixing of cultures and ideas together. Such peace, who has made the two examination of Peters ministry after religious duties is not the con- drastic changes in terms of race and ethnicity one and has destroyed the that sermon shows that he was uncern of Jesus heart. He is ask- have tremendous implications for the church. barrier, the dividing way of aware of the depth of what it truly ing us to search our own souls. hostility and in him, you too meant that God was drawing all flesh Will we find a deep seeded racial are being built together to unto himself. prejudice that may cause us to look away all over the world, we are experienc- become a dwelling in which God lives Yet, instead of reaching out to from a human in need? ing the mixing of cultures and ideas by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:14,22). people of other nationalities, Peter Our own congregation is in the While Peter struggled to overcome together. Such drastic changes in primarily focused on reaching his own inherent prejudices rooted deep within terms of race and ethnicity have process of merging with a Korean people group, the Jews. Later on, his soul, Paul left us with an exemplary tremendous implications for the church as well as beginning an outhowever, God spoke to Peter in a model to follow when relating to people church. The big question we must reach to the Hispanic community. As vision that led him on a divine mission of different ethnicities. His burning all wrestle with is this: How can we the different cultures meet together, I to the house of an Italian centurion passion to see all nations come to know communicate the unchanging mes- am struck by the fervor and intensity named Cornelius. The power of God Jesus was evident. He desired to sage of the Gospel in a rapidly of my brothers and sisters before the fell strongly upon Cornelius housethrone of God. Recently, tears came become all things to all men so that by changing world? hold that day. Even Peter, who was all means possible [he] might save Pastor Jack Hayford of Church to my eyes as one Korean man prayed reluctant at first to be associated with some. (I Corinthians 9:22). on the Way, said, It is the tendency with such love in his heart. He was Gentiles, went back to the Jewish Here in Southern California, where of all humans to cast God into the communicating with God through Council and told of the happenmold of their own culture. means of language and culture in a ings. However, it was not long We must let the message of the Gospel, which This is a very true assertion for way that I was utterly incapable of, yet until Peter began to fall back into those of us who are daring God fully understood his hearts cry. his old ways of separating himself transcends culture and prejudice, be our drivWe must understand that having ing motivation to reach the people of different enough to look at our own with the Jews. As a result, the methods of interpreting the diversity in our church enriches us. Apostle Paul confronted Peter for ethnicities who live and work around us. Bible with any degree of ob- John describes this beautiful scene in his hypocritical behavior, which jectivity. The Bible is infalli- heaven: After this I looked, and was not in keeping with the true teachI am ministering, we are confronted with ble, a wise man in our congrega- behold, a great multitude which no ing of Christ (Galatians 2:11-21). the reality of a rapidly changing society. tion said, but the way we interpret man could number, from every nation, In some respects, Peter was not The recent statistics from the 2000 cen- it is not. We all must realize our from all tribes and peoples and completely unjustified in his attitude sus have confirmed what our eyes have own particular culture has created a (Continued on page 3)

Darren Adwalpalker

Called to Unity; cont

(Continued from page 1) fense committed against us like a debt. Rather than cast away the debt, the person is held in contempt until they pay what is owedoften in the form of an apology or humiliation. We must remember that forgiveness is not an optionit is a command. Mark 11:25,26 says, "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." Go to the person who offended you and talk it out no one else! Prov. 6:16-19 says, The Lord hates one who sows discord among brethren. Many offended people have become tools in the devils hand spreading division through the church by injecting others with their poison of unforgiveness. The Bible is clear: God hates this. It contradicts His will for His family by polarizing brothers and sisters with wrath and malice.

Instead, Jesus taught that if one is offended, the only person with whom he is to speak about his offense is the one who offended him. Matt. 18:15 tells us, "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. If this doesnt resolve the conflict, we can go to the spiritual authorities to seek fair restitution. Interestingly enough, my experience as pastor often mediating such conflicts revealed that the person who was accused of offending someone had absolutely no idea they had done so. In fact, they were grieved to know that they had done anything to hurt someone and couldnt apologize enough. This demonstrates that most people never intend to hurt otherstheir motives are pure. More often, the offended party has wrongly perceived their heart and misinterpreted their remarks or actions.

3. WHEN YOU TAKE UP SOMEONE ELSES OFFENSE Heb. 12:14,15; Pursue peace with all people, and holiRegardless of how innocent or uninformed we be- ness, without lieve ourselves to be, when we are aware that some- which no one will see the Lord: one is upset with us, we have a scriptural responsi- looking carefully bility to go to that person with the intent to reconcile. lest anyone fall short of the grace could have done. Regardless of how of God; lest any root of bitterness innocent or uninformed we believe springing up cause trouble, and by ourselves to be, when we are aware this many become defiled. An offense is to a church that someone is upset with us, we have a scriptural responsibility to go to that as an infection is to a body. It rarely stays in one place, but spreads to the person with the intent to reconcile. Too often I have heard people closest members. Very often when a say, Well I didnt do anything wrong. person close to us is offended, rather If he has a problem, its his problem. than go to the one who hurt him or 2. WHEN YOU HAVE OFFENDED This is an affront to the biblical man- her, they will come to us for sympaSOMEONE. date to preserve unity. Many rifts thy. This has the unfortunate effect of Matt. 5:23-24; "Therefore if you bring between people have further widened defiling us with prejudice and your gift to the altar, and there remem- because both people thought the other poisoning our opinions with unfair ber that your brother has something should be the one to initiate resolution. (Continued on page 5)

against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. The phrase, has something against you, indicates that an individual has perceived something in you that has hurt or offended themeven though you have no idea what you

But the bible is clear. As soon as you are aware of an awkwardness between you and another, you are called to initiate a dialogue and seek resolution.

LEADERSHIP
(Continued from page 2) tongues, standing before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and crying out with a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb! (Revelation 7:9,10). What a sight John beheld in heaven! What a sight the world will see when our churches begin operating in the design that God has for His church -His house of prayer for all nations. (Mark 11:17). To assist this happening, we must ask ourselves the following questions: 1. What dividing walls are separating us from other people? 2. How can Christ break down the dividing walls? 3. How has our culture shaped our understanding of God and the way we read the Bible? 4. How can we learn from how other cultures view God? Are you ready to take the challenge Peter faced when confronted with his unrighteous attitudes towards other groups of people? We must let the message of the Gospel, which transcends culture and prejudice, be our driving motivation to reach the people of different ethnicities who live and work around us. Allow the power of Christ Jesus to destroy the dividing walls of hostility that stand in your heart. May He set you free to minister the Gospel message of reconciliation.

Page 3 FAITH FOUNDATIONS: Hungering for Holiness

People are not to continue to partake of the things of the world once they have claimed Christ as Lord. In 1 CorinWe all know that God is thians 6, Paul cautions against using holy, but when pressed we might have Christian freedom as an excuse for a hard time explaining exactly what participating in things that are not that means. This could become probbeneficial, i.e., things that do not bring lematic in light of Peters admonition, you closer to God. In Titus 1:15-16, but as He who called you is holy, you he speaks of disqualification: To the also be holy in all your conduct, bepure all things are pure, but to those cause it is written, Be holy, for I am who are defiled and unbelieving nothholy. (1Peter 1:15,16) In this scriping is pure; but even their mind and ture we see that holiness is not one of conscience are defiled. They profess to those attributes of God that we study know God, but in works they deny Him, only so that we can know Him better. being abominable, disobedient, and This is an attribute that He commands disqualified for every good work. us to possess, so we must understand Fortunately, it is Gods will it if we are to know if we possess it. that we move in closer to Him and so The definition of holy that He works on our behalf to bring it we hear most often is that it means to about. Hebrews 12:10 reads, For be set apart for Gods use. This defithey indeed for a few days chastened nition obviously falls short, however, us as seemed best to them, but He for because it does not make sense when our profit, that we may be partakers of we apply it to God Himself. When we His holiness. say that God is holy, we are saying Underlying the concept of something very significant about Him. holiness, however, is the concept The more accurate definition is one that speaks of perfection and Holy is the word you use when you come to of ownership. This is the most purity. Holiness encompasses the end of the adjectives available in human important point to come back to Gods goodness, love, and right- language to describe God and find that you in teaching on this subject. Too many who call themselves Chriseousness. It is the special nature still havent expressed how special He is. tian operate under the misconcepthat He possesses that distinguishes Him from everything else as two kinds of bread in the tabernacle; tion that God belongs to them. We wonderful, beautiful, and glorious. holy and most holy. The difference must understand that we are owned by Holy is the word you use when you between what is holy and what is most God. Or do you not know that your come to the end of the adjectives holy is clear the closer something is body is the temple of the Holy Spirit available in human language to de- to Gods presence the holier it is. who is in you, whom you have from scribe God and find that you still Again we see that holiness is not God, and you are not your own? For determined by the thing but, rather by you were bought at a price; therefore havent expressed how special He is. If this is true, you may the closeness with which it is held by glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. (1Cor 6:19be wondering, how can I ever be and associated with the Holy One. Our right to call Him ours It is plain, then, that we can 20) www.missionchurch.com does holy? One of the aspects of affect our holiness by our determina- not come from our possession of Him, Gods holiness that we learn from the tion to move closer to God. 2 Corin- but from the fact that He has accepted scriptures is that it extends to the thians 7:1 tells us, Therefore, having ownership of us through the work of things that belong to Him. Something these promises, beloved, let us cleanse Jesus. The same is true of our holithat belongs to God is special just ourselves from all filthiness of the ness. because it belongs to God. Most of us flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in can find an illustration of this in our the fear of God. This is where the own lives. For example, when I was a idea of separation comes in to considboy there was a chair in our living eration. The process of moving closer Rich Langford serves as a Deacon overseeing room that my father sat in when he to God or, as Paul states it, perfecting Christian Education Ministries in The Mission was home. It was Daddys chair. holiness necessitates a separation Church There were no inherent qualities in the from those things that are unholy.

Rich Langford

chair that made it any different from other chairs, but because of whom it belonged to, it was special. In fact, even after it became old and worn, it was still considered special because, for our family, it shared the specialness of my father. I can still remember the great feeling I had when my father gave me permission to sit in his chair. In the same way, things that belong to God are holy because He is holy. God actually shares His holiness with that which is His. (Heb 12:10) My holiness does not depend on anything in me; it depends entirely on Gods ownership of me. Another interesting aspect of holiness that we learn from scripture is that it is relative. We read in Exodus 26:33 about the veil that separates the place in the tabernacle called the Holy place from the place called the Most Holy place. Similarly in Leviticus 21:22 we read that there are

Darren Adwalpalker is Pastor of Ethnic Ministries at Garden Grove Church of God in California, USA

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QUOTEABLE LEADERS
"To be thrown upon one's own resources, is to be cast into the very lap of fortune; for our faculties then undergo a development and display an energy of which they were previously unsusceptible." Ben Franklin When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal. Napolean Hill "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." Thomas Jefferson "On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a "Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation." Robert F. Kennedy No man is worth his salt who is not ready at all times to risk his body, to risk his wellbeing, to risk his life, in a great cause. Martin Luther King, Jr. "I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him." Booker T. Washington Its not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog.

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LEADERSHIP

TO THE TIMOTHY: Foundations for Healthy Youth Ministry; Part 1

Pastor Nik Adwalpalker
Recently I read a quote from the spiritual life report of an unnamed denomination of the church saying, Retaining our young people, who are our greatest resource, should be a major objective. Those words are so true for today. Pastors and leaders, if we want to make an impact on the generations of today and tomorrow we must be committed to building strong youth ministries in our churches. Within our global youth culture are the greatest untapped masses of energy, passion, resources and spiritual gifts that the world will ever see. For the church to survive, leaders must get a vision for youth ministry and implement that vision into a tangible strategy in their local assemblies. In March of this year I attended a terrific youth ministry seminar, provided by Sonlife, a top quality ministry for the training of youth leaders. The information that I learned from the Sonlife Foundations Seminar has been nothing short of dynamic in enhancing my personal ministry. The 6 Foundations are all based upon the great commandment found in Matthew 22:37-39, stating, Jesus replied, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the prophets hand on these two commandments. Any ministry, and especially youth ministry, must be built upon the great commandment. David Garda, author of the Foundations Manual, first writes that, Great Commandment love has a very personal beginning for each of usour loving God with ALL our heart, soul and mind. Only then can we fully release this love through the relationships and activities of our youth ministry. Garda then continues, Second, this love works itself out in ALL our relationships. Jesus modeled this love for his peers. Pastor and leader, the primary focus of our youth ministries must be the development of disciples that love Jesus and share that perfect love with others. Today I want to begin a two part series outlining the first 3 of 6 total Foundations laid in the manual so that you can grow a healthy youth ministry in your own church. shows the young person you care enough to put them before yourself. Here are some practical suggestions for expressing love (Garda, pg. 34): Ask for feedback from others; make sure all the kids receive a hug as they come in or leave the meeting; be available; humbly admit your mistakes; be creative when you express love (card, announcements); dont criticize students in front of others; pray for your students; accept others the way they are and let God change their hearts; be genuinely interested together for extended periods of time in and outside of the church. Foundation #3: A Consistent Contacting Ministry: After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. John 3:22 Many times teenagers come into our ministry, get saved, and then for some reason resort back to their worldly ways disappearing from our sight. While we cant make teens serve Jesus, or even come to church for that matter, we can however, be a part of their lives in a tangible way. This is done through consistently contacting our teens. Whether it is by phone, email, letter, or visitations, there must be a contacting ministry in place to ensure that people do not get lost in the shuffle. One of the most significant ways that I have maintained a consistent contacting ministry is by developing cell groups. As your youth ministry grows, it will be impossible for you to contact, much less personally have relationships with every single teen in your ministry. This is why it is crucial to raise up faithful, available and teachable youth leaders that can do the work of contacting for you. Once you have interviewed and trained your potential leader, you can begin by delegating a group of no more than 6 teens (to start) to them for personal follow up. Personal follow up includes weekly one on one personal contact: spending time outside the walls of the church (i.e. on the phone or in person) with assigned teenagers. Under your close supervision, you consistently contact and disciple your leader who in turn disciples your teenagers. Contacting takes time and hard work, but it is one of the most rewarding parts of a youth ministry. Tips for contacting include (Garda, pf. 94): Remember names; introduce yourself before asking to speak w/ teen (by phone); be yourself; be casual, cheerful, sensitive and enthusiastic; remember that your purpose is building relationships and taking natural opportunities to share the gospel; dont talk to much about yourself or your program; have fun contacting students. Next month Ill conclude this two part series on Founda- Nikil Adwalpalker tions for Building oversees the Youth a Healthy Youth Ministries in the Mission Church. Ministry with the

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer too much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. "

-- Theodore Roose-

Foundation #1: An Atmosphere of Love. Love is intentionally doing something in The primary focus of our youth ministries Jesus name, regardless of must be the development of disciples that love the cost or consequences to Jesus and share that perfect love with others. oneself! Pg.12 Teenagers need in your students friends. love. A familiar proverb simply states, People dont care how much you Foundation #2: A Biblical know until they know how much you Group Image: A solid, biblical care. For too long youth ministry has group image is the by-product of been about programs and not about intentional, Spirit empowered love relationships. A youth ministry that is and leaders who understand Gods focused on building God centered rela- vision for the group-including a tionships is a ministry that will be healthy expectancy of what God can healthy and grow. In America, many do among you and th rough youth leaders have substituted technol- you! (Garda, pg. 36) ogy, programs and gimmicks designed Our goal is not to tell to entertain in the place of real relation- students everything weve learned ships. The result is a room full of im- about Christ; it is to teach kids how mature Christians that are spiritually to apply that love to every aspect of starving for the love and attention they their lives. In building a biblical desperately need to make it through group image we simply mean, creatlife. ing an environment that fosters sharThe single biggest thing ing biblical love with everyone that lacking in our global youth culture is an comes into the youth ministry. The absence of genuine love. You can see it resulting group image pictures bewhen you turn on the news to find lievers committing their energy to increases in violence, promiscuity and helping one another grow and work hopelessness in teen culture. Teenagers together to impact their friends and need to feel that they are accepted no community (Garda, pg.36). matter their social or racial back round, Garda suggests many appearance, and/or problems. Too solutions to practically build group many churches try to tell young people image. One is through icebreakers. that they must look a certain way before Icebreakers are informal means of they can be accepted. However, Christ communication that get everyone has not called us to reach the healthy, involved and break down walls. but instead the sick and rejected. Icebreakers usually are no more than One of the most important things that 5 minutes long and come in the form you can do to show a young person that of an exciting game, mixer or conyou care is to listen to them. In church test. A second is interaction. By we preach to them. In school we lec- interaction, we mean bringing stuture them. At home, we assign them dents together. Some examples that chores, but do we ever stop to listen? foster interaction are praying and Young people have heard too many affirming each other, worshipping people tell them that they love them together with music, discussion without showing them that they are questions, small cell groups (covered indeed loved. Listening is not waiting later), role play (object lessons), live for your turn to speak. Listening is dramas etc. Remember that as patiently sitting through the sobbing, students interact they form relacomplaining and frustration that many tionships that lead to strong of the hurting generation of teens dont friendships. A third solution is get to express. Before offering advice, group activities. Group activities listen to the teenager talk so that you such as missions projects, fellowship may gain understanding as to how to outings, fundraisers, and weekend minister to their needs. Listening retreats all help to bring the group

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Called to Unity; cont

(Continued from page 2) to respond to offended people. A wholesome talk is to avoid the people not. Instead he used it as an opportunity to express his love and loyalty judgments and misappropriated re- church that is committed to existing as a who propagate it. even though Saul hated and despised sentment. In a sense, we take up New Testament community must have a 5. WHEN IN DISAGREEMENT him (1 Sam. 26:24-25). their offense. Even though we were reconciling spirit. This is a spirit that WITH LEADERS If we really believe God is not personally hurt or attacked, we will not entertain rumors, gossip or In many churches, some of in control, then we should not call our become just as angry as the person division but forces reconciliation. It has the most controversial disagreements neighbors with our grievances, we a standard of reverse accountability. close to us who was hurt. have centered around decisions and should call out to God. If people Fortunately, Gods Word If some offended individual is circulatpolicies made by leaders. In fact, disprayed for their leaders half as much as gives us safeguards against such ing a bad report through the body in an agreement is almost inevitablebut they gossiped about them, more poison. When a friend or family effort to join others to their offense, the division doesnt have to be. The queschurches would be in revival. In fact, wants to share their offense with us, members will stop them mid-sentence tion that decides this is, what do we maybe the reason why so many leaders the following principles will keep us and say, I think youre talking to the do with our disagreement? Do we turn are failing in their duties is because the pure and undefiled: wrong person. Please go to the individit into a complaining spirit and spread body isnt interceding for them Remember, you dont ual with whom youre having this criticism throughout the body? Do we enough. Instead they are discouraged, have all the facts. When an individ- conflict and try to resolve it in a Godsecretly try to divide people against the frustrated and fearful because they ual tells us what leaders and persuade them over to sense the lack of support for them. happened to them, Some may think because they arent the one our side. always bear in mind Leaders make decisions The following are three speaking about an offender, they arent gossiping. that theirs is only based upon the unique perspective of important principles to bear in mind one side of the However, it takes two to gossipone to speak and one leadership. In the event that an authorwhen you are in disagreement with ity disregards your opinions or disstory. Prov. 18:17 to listen. The listener is just as guilty as the speaker your leaders. These will help us to misses your perceived word from says, The first one because he is condoning and perpetuating evil avoid being used of the devil to God, do not become critical or rebelto plead his cause speaking while allowing bitterness to defile the body. bring division and maintain unity in lious. Remember that an authority, sees seems right, until the body. things that you dont; they receive his neighbor comes Authorities are set in place varying revelations from different and examines him. In other words, glorifying way. This is similar to what by God. Subversive movements against perspectives other than yours. A benehaving heard only one side of the Paul commanded in Roms. 16:17, spiritual authorities are never Gods fit of spiritual authority is that it allows story, you dont have all the facts. Now I urge you, brethren, note those will. In fact, He is the one who has set one to see a much larger picture and be There are two sides to every story who cause divisions and offenses, conthese authorities in place and expects privy to other dynamics that others until you hear the other persons trary to the doctrine which you learned, us to submit to them. Roms. 13:1-2 have no knowledge about. The insight version, you cant make a fair and and avoid them. says, Let every soul be subject to the that God gave you is only one piece of equitable judgment. Prov. 18:13 governing authorities. For there is no a larger puzzle. The authority, however cautions us, He who answers a 4. WHEN ENCOUNTERING A authority except from God, and the receives many pieces of this puzzle and matter before he hears it, It is folly DIVISIVE SPIRIT authorities that exist are appointed by must discern how to put them together. and shame to him. Furthermore, It is unfortunate but true. There God. Therefore whoever resists the In 2 Cor. 10:13-14 a warning is Prov. 19:2 says, Also it is not good are people in the body of Christ who authority resists the ordinance of God, given: We, however, will not boast for a soul to be without knowledge, are, by nature, disagreeable and diviand those who resist will bring judgbeyond measure, but within the limits And he sins who hastens with his sive. They seem to feed on strife. ment on themselves. People who enof the sphere which God appointed feet. The scriptures make it clear When there is an argument, debate or gage in such unethical activity usually that if we take up anothers offense, difficulty to resolve, they always seem us...For we are not overextending believe the are doing God service by especially before being fully in- to find their way into the middle of it ourselves. We must be cautious opposing unrighteous leaders; but, against forcing ourselves into arenas of formed, we are acting foolishly and and add fuel to the controversy. In fact, they are actually being used by the authority weve not been called to. are likely to sin. It is better not to scriptures points to these spirits as the devil to spread discord. This is nothing more than ugly pride involve yourselfor your emo- source of division in the body. Cast Consider how David the man masked under the guise of spirituality tionsat all. out the scoffer, and contention will and will cause division in the Never get caught up in leave; yes, strife and reproach will gossip. James 4:11 says, Do not cease. (Prov. 22:10) Where there If people prayed for their leaders half as much as body. speak evil of one another, brethren. is no wood, the fire goes out; and they gossiped about them, more churches would God is trying to He who speaks evil of a brother and where there is no talebearer, strife be in revival. In fact, maybe the reason why so prepare you for promotion judges his brother, speaks evil of the ceases. (Prov. 26:20) An ungodly many leaders are failing in their duties is because by testing your submission. One must always bear in law and judges the law. But if you man digs up evil, and it is on his the body isnt interceding for them enough. mind that during these times judge the law, you are not a doer of lips like a burning fire. A perverse of disagreement, our qualifications for the law but a judge. The Greek man sows strife, and a whisperer sepaafter Gods own heart acted when leadership are being tested. How we word used for speak evil is rates the best of friends. (Prov. 16:27there was disagreement with his king. submit to the authority we disagree katalalia. It means to backbite or 28). Never was there an authority more with determines how much authority complain about another person. Some The scriptures are very clear wrong than the authority over him. we will be entrusted with in the future. may think because they arent the one on how to deal with the presence of a King Saul was not only in rebellion speaking about an offender, they divisive spiritseparate from him. 2 1 Pet. 5:5b-6 says, God resists the against God, he was a man suffering arent gossiping. However, it takes Thess. 3:6 tells us, we command proud, but gives grace to the humble. extreme demonization. But David two to gossipone to speak and one you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Therefore humble yourselves under the never lifted his hand against Saul; he to listen. The listener is just as guilty Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from mighty hand of God, that He may exalt never moved against him or openly as the speaker because he is condon- every brother who walks disorderly... you in due time. To the degree we opposed him. In fact when he took the support our authority, especially when ing and perpetuating evil speaking In Proverbs 22:24-25 there is a similar opportunity to cut the hem of Sauls we dont like their vision is the same while allowing bitterness to defile the warning: Make no friendship with an robe (1 Sam. 24:4-6), he later regretted degree of authority to which we will body. If we are going to walk in angry man, and with a furious man do it. He knew it was wrong to express ascend. holiness then we must avoid gossip not go, lest you learn his ways and set a any sense of subversion against the Another principle to remember is just as we would avoid any carnal snare for your soul. This does not authority even though he wasnt in indulgence. Gossip and backbiting is mean we treat such an individual with borne out in Gal. 6:7, Do not be deagreement with that authority. Again in a disease that threatens to kill; let us contempt but that we avoid fellowship ceived, God is not mocked; for what1 Sam. 26, David had the occasion to avoid it like the plague that it is. ever a man sows, that he will also that will lead to unwholesome talk. strike against his leader, but he would There is only one biblical way Sometimes the only way to avoid un(Continued on page 7)

Page 6

LEADERSHIP

6 Rules for a Fair Fight

How to keep conflict healthy
At an all-day meeting, a church mired in dissension between the newcomers and long time members drew up a list of guidelines for how they would handle their conflict. Some of these guidelines: 1. Conflict can be healthy and useful for our church It is okay for people to differ with one another. 2. Resolutions for the sake of quick agreement are often worse than agreements that are carefully worked out over time. 3. Fair conflict management includes: Dealing with one issue at a time If more than one issue is presented, agreeing on the order in which the issues will be addressed Exploring all the dimensions of the problem(s) Exploring alternative solutions to the problem(s) 4. If any party is uncomfortable with the forum in which the conflict is raised, it is legitimate to discuss what the most appropriate forum might be. 5. Inappropriate behavior in conflict includes, but is not limited to: Name calling Mind reading (attributing evil motives to others) Inducing guilt (e.g., Look how youve made me feel) Rejecting, deprecating or discrediting another person Using information from confidential sources or indicating that such information exists (e.g., I cant tell you who told me, but they said) 6. Fair conflict always allows people who are charged with poor performance or inappropriate behavior to: Know who their accusers are Learn what their accusers concerns are Respond to those who accuse
Reprinted from Building Church Leaders published by Leadership Journal

TEN NAMES OF OUR LORD

Name Scripture Jehovah-Ropheka Ex. 15:26 Jehovah-Meqaddeshkem Ex. 31:13 Jehovah-Tsaboath 1 Sam. 1:3 Jehovah-Elyon Ps. 7:17 Jehovah-Roi Ps. 23:1 Jehovah-Jireh The Lord Who Heals The Lord who Sanctifies The Lord of Hosts The Lord Most High The Lord is My Shepard The Lord Will Provide Meaning

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. The boss drives people; the leader coaches them. The boss depends on authority; the leader on good will. The boss inspires fear; the leader inspires enthusiasm. The boss says "I"; The leader says "WE". The boss fixes the blame for the breakdown; the leader fixes the breakdown. The boss says, "GO"; the leader says LETS GO!"
H. Gordon Selfridge

LEADERSHIP
Called to Unity; cont
(Continued from page 5) reap. The same attitude we take toward our authorities is the same attitude our future followers will take toward us. What we do now are like seeds being planted in the field of our life. Those same seeds will eventually sprout into either a good or bad harvest that we will eventually reap. CONCLUSION: Unity Requires a Relational Covenant It must be stated that none of the above information will do the body of Christ any good unless believers have a heart to resolve their conflicts with one another and remain reconciled through the ongoing challenges of unity. Eph. 4:3 tells us that we must make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Unity does not come easy. It is hard work and can even be painful. But if unity is to survive, we must be willing to plow through all the stuff of relationships and make it work. A Relational Covenant between believers in a corporate setting can be likened to a marriage covenant between two people. They are basically saying divorce is not an option. We will not discard our relationship but will make every effort to fulfill a pledge like the following:

Page 7 Family Focus: MarriageGods Foundation for Family

fore, key to understanding the principle of marriage: one man, one woman, one lifetime. And God not only creIn this article I wish to ated marriage, He sustains it! talk about some basics about marIt is also important for us riage, the foundation for Gods printo consider that marriage is a covenant ciples for families. Marriage was relationship. A covenant is a solemn, created by God, is meant to last, and binding agreement, a pledge. Conis a covenant relationship. sider what happens when we purchase It is important for us to a house. We take out a truly understand that God created marriage. At the heart of every When we talk about divorce we are actually mortgage or loan from a marriage is God. That understanding saying: I cannot trust God in this. I cannot bank and we agree to pay it back over a period of time. will help us discern the misconcep- trust that He can change me or you. There are consequences for tions about marriage that the world breaking that agreement! shows us, and will give us the way to keep our marriages strong and Eve was broken. They blamed each The bank can take away our house! healthy. God created us male and other for disobeying God! What do Yet, we sometimes place greater refemale for a reason. We were to you think blaming one another did to spect for a mortgage agreement than a complement one another. And, since their marriage relationship? It de- marriage covenant. A marriage covewe were created in Gods own image stroyed the trust they had for one an- nant is far more serious and has enor(Genesis 1 and 2), we have more in other. Think about what happens in mous consequences of broken. Malacommon than we have differences. your own marriage when both or one of chi 2:14-16 says: the Lord has been However, when we think about you play that blaming game. Does it a witness between you and the wife of males and females, it seems we produce anxiety? Feelings of inade- your youth. Before becoming marconstantly emphasize our differ- quacy? Anger? Blaming certainly ried, therefore, we must understand the seriousness of the marriage covedestroys Gods principle of one flesh. ences! One other thing needs to be nant relationship. It is so important in For example, we describe how men and women think differ- mentioned. Gods intention for mar- Gods eyes that He is a participating ently, writing books about it. But riage was that a man would have only witness! The marriage covenant God said in Genesis 2:24 that to be one wife. Some cultures teach that a married, we must leave our parents man can cleave to many women! And, calls the man and woman to submit, to and cleave to our spouses and be- where laws prevent polygamy, men yield their lives to God and to one come one flesh. Becoming one flesh and women divorce so as to try another another as a sign of the covenant has a number of implications includ- spouse, seemingly circumventing the bond. Ephesians 5:21 tells us to ing sexual union and child concep- notion of many wives. But Jesus made submit to one another in fear of tion. But it also means spiritual and it very plain when he spoke about God. This submission principle is only effective if we are committed to emotional intimacy. A union where a husband It is also important for us to consider that God and to one another. And God and wife are able to share marriage is a covenant relationship. A cove- says that if we remain under His aueverything without fear of nant is a solemn, binding agreement, a pledge. thority (fear of God) we will be able to submit to one another. When we talk being criticized. A union about divorce we are actually saying: where they will work on common goals, considering each divorce in Matthew 19:4-6 by reiterat- I cannot trust God in this. I cannot others opinions, recognizing differ- ing the words in Genesis that spoke trust that He can change me or you. ences, but emphasizing unity, one about one man and one woman becom- If we have a spiritual relationship with flesh. ing one flesh, remaining together for God, we must be willing to have a Leaving and cleaving are one lifetime. Mankind is sinful and spiritual relationship with our spouse, also meant to emphasize the one does not like this principle! Jesus which is assumed under the term one flesh principle. When we are single Himself said that Moses recognized the and live under our parents roof, we hardness of mankinds hearts, the sin Tom Readyoff is a Deacon overseeing are subject to them just as Jesus was that created the cultural traditions of adult ministries in the Mission Church subject to Mary and Joseph. But many wives and the practices of diwhen we marry, we come out from vorce. Believing Gods word is, there-

Tom Readyoff

under that roof of authority and form a new unit, ready to submit to one another. So Gods intent for marriage was to show us that He placed an emphasis on relationships, one with another and one with God. When sin entered the world, not only was the relationship with God broken, but also the relationship between Adam and

We will pursue resolution and reconciliation in all interpersonal conflicts.

We

will talk directly to those with whom we experience conflict rather than talking about them to others. We will talk to people, not about people. in our discussions about others.

We will be edifying We
will hold each other accountable when we violate this commitment. This means we will direct others to the person they have spoken about and

Rev. Gregg Johnson is Senior Pastor of The Mission Church in New York, USA.

What People Are SayingAbout Leadership Teaching Newsletter

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LEADERSHIP TEACHING NEWSLETTER

A Teaching Newsletter of Pastor Gregg Johnson and The Mission Church Ministry Staff August 2001
A GREAT RESOURCE FOR LEADERS Leadership Teaching Newsletter is a great new resource for pastors, missionaries and all who are engaged in Christian Leadership. This monthly publication is developed by Pastor Gregg Johnson and staff of The Mission Church and is provided free to all leaders of ministries who strive toward greater effectiveness in the ministry they serve. Leadership endeavors to fulfill the following values:

TO EQUIP by providing teachings, insights and information to Christian leaders in foreign lands who are unable to access mainstream media. TO ENCOURAGE the body of Christ around the world by inspiring the churchs leaders to persevere through challenges, adversity and even persecution. TO EXHORT men and women in leadership to demonstrate the example of Christ through godly devotion, love of the brethren and commitment to the family. If you are a leader in Christian ministry and would like to be added to our mailing list, Please contact the Mission Church.
Permission is granted to duplicate this newsletter or reprint articles as long as acknowledgement of authors is provided

Understanding the Role of the Anointing; part 4

Mark E. Wright
Welcome back to part 4 in a series of articles on the anointing scheduled to appear in this and future issues. In the first article we discussed reasons why Jesus was anointed and why we must be anointed as-well-as definitions of the anointing. Articles since then have explored and explained different types and manifestations of the anointing, such as the resident anointing, the infused anointing and the flow through anointing. This article will concentrate on the Abiding or Hovering anointing and future issues will look at the transferability of the anointing, a group anointing and perhaps even the anointing to stand in an office or ministry. Even more distant issues will cover areas such as the purpose of the anointing and moving in or utilizing the anointing. 4. The Abiding/Hovering Anointing I believe there is something that can be referred to as an abiding or, as some refer to it, a hovering anointing. That is where the Holy Spirit stays with you, abides with you, stays on you. We see that at altar services in church. We can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit is there and then later on when people are talking and leaving you can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit lift. There is a hovering anointing at the alter during ministry time. You can feel when its there and you can feel it when it lifts. We want to keep the hovering anointing in our lives, especially when we are seeking for or in the process of receiving a healing. Remember, miracles are instantaneous and healings take place over a period of time. Therefore, it is important to keep an abiding or hovering anointing on your life during your healing process. The Bible says of some people Jesus prayed for, that they were healed as they went. The anointing went with them and continued to do the work of healing and restoration. In the natural this often happens with medication we take. We are not healed instantly but the vitamin or antibiotic stays with us in our system and continues to do the work for days after it has been taken. The folks in the Bible who are healed as they went did not get a miracle on the spot. They healed as they left because the Holy Spirit stayed with them and kept on doing His work of restoration, regeneration, healing, and accelerating the bodies natural processes of recovery. We should practice the presence of God through praise and thus keep a hovering anointing of the Holy Spirit on our lives at all times, not just when we are trying to receive or maintain a healing. Benny Hinn has recently written a popular best seller called Good Morning Holy Spirit. He talks about this principle of abiding in the Holy Spirit with His presence on you all day every day. You want to keep that presence with you to keep the healthy effect of the Holy Spirit going. The reason we start a church service with worship is to bring the presence of God into the meeting, into our midst so we can begin to see things happen in church that dont happen other places, especially places where that atmosphere is not present. Have you ever visited a home where there is much strife, contention and fighting and yelling. Perhaps you have heard yelling and screaming and swearing. Perhaps you have known families that have had to get Orders of Protection to protect some members from other members. Have you ever noticed that you see more of a manifestation of the power of God in church (in an atmosphere of worship) than in the kinds of homes or the kinds of places where people are fighting, yelling, swearing, throwing things, and getting drunk etc.? The Holy Spirit is a gentleman and only goes where He is invited and where He feels welcome. We welcome Him with our praise and worship. God is a spirit and spirits work primarily by atmospheres and atmospheres are controlled by attitudes. Of course God is sovereign and omnipotent and can do anything He wants at any time, but generally He operates according to the rules of the Holy Spirit that require Him to be invited and welcomed by the right atmosphere and attitude. If we want to keep an abiding, hovering anointing in our lives weve got to walk in the proper attitude. The houses I like to visit are where I feel the most welcome and where its peaceful and friendly. I appreciate worshipful and praiseful music playing in the background, where Gods presence is welcomed. If we want to get and maintain a healing or obtain and retain the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives we must have that kind of attitude and atmosphere around us. Then the Holy Spirit will be pleased to abide and hover on our lives. Keeping the right attitude is imperative in maintaining your healing. You may have a certain percentage of improvement after prayer. If you praise God for what you got, youll have a good chance to see it continue to increase. If you complain about the pain you still have, youll see that (the pain) increase. Next issue well cover the transferability of the anointing. Keep abiding with Him and Hell keep abiding with you! Rev. Mark E. Wright is a Missionary Evangelist who ministers extensively throughout the world. While in the United States he is a sought out Bible teacher and preacher whose ministry is marked by supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.