I’m not fond of talking about myself, our ministry. But Papa has been challenging that mindset, and warning me that we need to gather more regular prayer covering. Cool. So I get to write about us. AND ask for prayer support. So we’ll see if this works. I make no promises about consistency. Let’s see if I can make this something of an introduction.
I’ve stepped back from my leadership role in local congregations for several reasons, but mostly because God said to, and then he confirmed it six or eleven times. It’s been the busiest “stepping back” season I’ve ever seen: We’re taking more ministry trips than I’m used to, though still not a lot, and none of them high-profile. I’m working full time, and building an addition to our house; I’m increasing my time in the cave with Papa, and I’ve done a couple of weddings recently. We’re closing up an estate; I’m starting to write a book (that’s a way bigger task than I had thought), I’ve taken on an additional part-time job or two, and I’m loving being with my family more! (Gee. Now that I write this down, no wonder I’m tired.)
Family. I am a husband to a glorious woman, and father to three amazing grown kids. There are several other kids (some older than I am) who also call me “Dad,” and I love that as well. It sure seems like the concept of “fathering” is a big deal in the Kingdom of God. I observe that “fathering” is clearly on Father’s heart, and I meet so very many people in his family who are desperate to be fathered. Some of them know it. I’ll probably write about this topic at some point. It’ll probably end up in the book, too.
Team. Team ministry is a beautiful thing, and I’m committed to it. I’m just learning about ministry as a community. It’s very cool! When Paul traveled - the Book of Acts teaches us so much - he always had a number of people with him, including Luke who wrote about it. When I travel for ministry, I’m usually travelling with my friend and “brother from another mother” Todd. Todd’s a ferocious warrior and a gentle pastor, with a substantial prophetic gift and an apostolic call that he’s been exploring. Often Sue goes with us, and she brings a tenderness and a depth of insight that I really admire. She’s taught me that “fierce mercy” is not an oxymoron.
We three have been working together for many years. It’s fun how God works with us. Sometimes he’ll speak to one of us about a team assignment, and that one becomes (for lack of a better term) the apostolic leader of the project, and the others come under and support that leadership.
Right now, Sue leads a prophetic fellowship we’re all part of. When we travel across the mountains, generally Todd leads, and he leads as a warrior, not usually as a pastor. On this side of the mountains, I often lead the team. More and more, there seems to be no leader among us, beyond the Spirit. But always, God has been with us, and pretty much always it’s been about releasing people into what God’s called them into. Pretty much, the leader needs more prayer than the other team members, so it’s not necessarily a good thing to be the leader.
Sometimes I teach, sometimes Todd teaches. Once in a rare while, it involves a pulpit, but it almost always involves hands-on ministry, and frequently involves a battle in the heavenlies in one way or another, and often involves equipping others for that battle.
And regularly, we work with others, many others. We are friends with a “General” in the faith, and one or both of us travel with him sometimes. That’s never boring. And whenever possible, we bring others with us, and meet more where we’re going. There are camps of some glorious and ferocious people scattered around the region that we’re finding ourselves building relationship with. It’s always fun to cross-pollinate as we’re working and fellowshipping together.
And we try to never go anywhere without prayer covering. It’s been our experience that people are often happy to cover the trip in prayer, but the biggest attacks come after we return, and that may because it’s less interesting to cover people after a trip with prayer. Our last trip, we didn’t think to ask, not knowing we were heading into battle. So Father woke some folks up to pray for us. I love it!
I’m working with a new team as well, where I do not lead, but I do bring some perspective. I’ve been invited to join with an amazing group of young lions: men and women, unchurched all, who gather weekly to eat together, study the Word together, pray together, and then smoke pipes together. Most of them are on the streets sharing food (both natural and spiritual) with the hungry every week, too. I admire these guys so much.
“Ministry” is so much more about relationships and so much less about programs these days. And while it doesn’t stroke the ego as much, it does seem to be more effective at impacting peoples’ lives.
I spend a fair bit of time with a few blogs (the key ones: Northwest Prophetic, The Pilgrimgram, and Apostles & Prophets), and a Facebook presence where we’re talking about the Kingdom. I make no claims that I’ve got this thing down! In fact, I grew up in a religious environment, so making the transition from “the church age” to “the kingdom age” is work. I actually think it’s that way for most people.
I don’t do this. I don’t write long, elegant prayer letters. I tend to be a direct communicator. “Need prayer. You in?” works for me. But if “ministry flows from relationship” (as a friend of mine wrote recently), then it seems to be important to be real with people. So this is me. This is us.
Need prayer. You in?
(And thank you! Thank you very much.)
I’ve stepped back from my leadership role in local congregations for several reasons, but mostly because God said to, and then he confirmed it six or eleven times. It’s been the busiest “stepping back” season I’ve ever seen: We’re taking more ministry trips than I’m used to, though still not a lot, and none of them high-profile. I’m working full time, and building an addition to our house; I’m increasing my time in the cave with Papa, and I’ve done a couple of weddings recently. We’re closing up an estate; I’m starting to write a book (that’s a way bigger task than I had thought), I’ve taken on an additional part-time job or two, and I’m loving being with my family more! (Gee. Now that I write this down, no wonder I’m tired.)
Family. I am a husband to a glorious woman, and father to three amazing grown kids. There are several other kids (some older than I am) who also call me “Dad,” and I love that as well. It sure seems like the concept of “fathering” is a big deal in the Kingdom of God. I observe that “fathering” is clearly on Father’s heart, and I meet so very many people in his family who are desperate to be fathered. Some of them know it. I’ll probably write about this topic at some point. It’ll probably end up in the book, too.
Team. Team ministry is a beautiful thing, and I’m committed to it. I’m just learning about ministry as a community. It’s very cool! When Paul traveled - the Book of Acts teaches us so much - he always had a number of people with him, including Luke who wrote about it. When I travel for ministry, I’m usually travelling with my friend and “brother from another mother” Todd. Todd’s a ferocious warrior and a gentle pastor, with a substantial prophetic gift and an apostolic call that he’s been exploring. Often Sue goes with us, and she brings a tenderness and a depth of insight that I really admire. She’s taught me that “fierce mercy” is not an oxymoron.
We three have been working together for many years. It’s fun how God works with us. Sometimes he’ll speak to one of us about a team assignment, and that one becomes (for lack of a better term) the apostolic leader of the project, and the others come under and support that leadership.
Right now, Sue leads a prophetic fellowship we’re all part of. When we travel across the mountains, generally Todd leads, and he leads as a warrior, not usually as a pastor. On this side of the mountains, I often lead the team. More and more, there seems to be no leader among us, beyond the Spirit. But always, God has been with us, and pretty much always it’s been about releasing people into what God’s called them into. Pretty much, the leader needs more prayer than the other team members, so it’s not necessarily a good thing to be the leader.
Sometimes I teach, sometimes Todd teaches. Once in a rare while, it involves a pulpit, but it almost always involves hands-on ministry, and frequently involves a battle in the heavenlies in one way or another, and often involves equipping others for that battle.
And regularly, we work with others, many others. We are friends with a “General” in the faith, and one or both of us travel with him sometimes. That’s never boring. And whenever possible, we bring others with us, and meet more where we’re going. There are camps of some glorious and ferocious people scattered around the region that we’re finding ourselves building relationship with. It’s always fun to cross-pollinate as we’re working and fellowshipping together.
And we try to never go anywhere without prayer covering. It’s been our experience that people are often happy to cover the trip in prayer, but the biggest attacks come after we return, and that may because it’s less interesting to cover people after a trip with prayer. Our last trip, we didn’t think to ask, not knowing we were heading into battle. So Father woke some folks up to pray for us. I love it!
I’m working with a new team as well, where I do not lead, but I do bring some perspective. I’ve been invited to join with an amazing group of young lions: men and women, unchurched all, who gather weekly to eat together, study the Word together, pray together, and then smoke pipes together. Most of them are on the streets sharing food (both natural and spiritual) with the hungry every week, too. I admire these guys so much.
“Ministry” is so much more about relationships and so much less about programs these days. And while it doesn’t stroke the ego as much, it does seem to be more effective at impacting peoples’ lives.
I spend a fair bit of time with a few blogs (the key ones: Northwest Prophetic, The Pilgrimgram, and Apostles & Prophets), and a Facebook presence where we’re talking about the Kingdom. I make no claims that I’ve got this thing down! In fact, I grew up in a religious environment, so making the transition from “the church age” to “the kingdom age” is work. I actually think it’s that way for most people.
I don’t do this. I don’t write long, elegant prayer letters. I tend to be a direct communicator. “Need prayer. You in?” works for me. But if “ministry flows from relationship” (as a friend of mine wrote recently), then it seems to be important to be real with people. So this is me. This is us.
Need prayer. You in?
(And thank you! Thank you very much.)
