Confluence

The Gift of Giving

Wed, 30 May 2012 06:53:07 PDT

Definition

Whilst all are called to give liberally and with generosity, the gift of giving is the special ability that God gives to people to make lots of money and give lots of money away. They have a well-developed spirit of generosity and are usually strong in the gift of faith. Both ‘poor’ people (e.g. the Widow’s Mite) and rich people (e.g. Joseph of Arimthea) can have this gift, but it is difficult for your cup to overflow to others if there is not much in it in the first place!

Examples from scripture

• God is of course the ultimate giver (Jn 3:16).
• King David gave his business profits and personal resources to the building of the temple (1 Chron 29:1-5).
• The Widow who, proportionally speaking, gave away a huge amount (Mk 12:41f).
• Barnabas’ extravagant gift must class as the gift of giving (Acts 4:36).

It seems that this gift can operate in whole churches for a season or forever:
• The Israelites had to be asked to stop giving when building the temple (1 Chron 29).
• The Early Church exhibited a lifestyle of giving to the point where there were no needy among them (Acts 2:45, 4:32-36).
• The Macedonian Churches had a special ‘grace of giving’ shown by giving beyond their ability and even fighting for the privilege of giving (1 Cor 8:1-5).

How will I know if I have it?

You will find yourself more alert than others to needy situations, and you derive satisfaction out of meeting those needs. You might be happy to do without yourself, but don’t like others to do without. You love to hear that your gift was an answer to prayer. You will also like to encourage others to give. You will not usually be gullible to fake needs.

Misunderstandings

Because they often have the ability to make lots of money, and because they often keep quiet about their giving, they can be unfairly regarded rich misers! They can sometimes appear carnal and fleshly because they handle and talk about money in a direct manner.

Accountability required

God gives all of the gifts for the benefit of the body, not the individual, and there should therefore be accountability for all the gifts. I mean, imagine an unaccountable prophet or teacher or miracle worker – dangerous! The gift of giving is rather unique in that it centres around money which is itself a powerful thing (note the weighty warnings of 1 Tim 5:3-10 and 17:19), and because, more than any of the other spiritual gifts, it appears on the surface that the individual is ‘responsible’ for making the money, and by extension might therefore feel that he doesn’t need the same level of accountability that other more spiritual gifts might need.
I think this means a willingness on the part of the giver to recognise that his gift of making and giving money is for the good of the body (just like all the other gifts), and therefore also requires some level of accountability and direction.

The challenge of secrecy

It is sometimes hard for someone who consistently gives large amounts of money to the church to not feel that he/she has a right to be publically acknowledged, or to receive special treatment by the leadership. Whilst we certainly want to honour all spiritual gifts and those that labour so hard in different ways, those with the gift of giving need to be convinced that they will receive their reward from God who sees everything. Have a look at these verses:

Matt 6:1 “Be careful not to do your `acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Gal 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

John 5:41 “I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?

John 12:42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

The challenge of laying it at the feet of others…

Often big givers are themselves CEO’s in the business arena and used to influencing leadership decisions. However, this does not necessarily translate into leadership authority in the church. Givers need to be content before God that their responsibility is to make money and lay it at the feet of the leaders (Acts 4:35) without strings attached, and trust the wisdom of the leaders to distribute it appropriately.

How can I grow in this gift?

Pray for more of it. Study it in scripture (especially 2 Cor 8 & 9) and through good resources. Learn from other givers. Stay accountable. Keep stretching yourself. Pursue generosity (Rms 12:8).

Leadership Teams During The Reformation

Fri, 25 May 2012 06:16:21 PDT

My own spiritual journey has, in many ways, been a pursuit for meaning in church leadership. As I’ve viewed scripture, what becomes clear is the model of team-leadership; a leadership functioning together in community and mission. Team leadership is a model reflected in the Trinity. Jesus demonstrated team leadership during his earthly life and ministry.

It is necessary that church leadership be reflective of biblical models rather than cultural ones. Both today’s church and its leadership must be strong, steady, biblical and theologically sound. Scripture emphasizes Spirit-led, Spirit-gifted, collaborative team fellowship and amazingly today's western culture is receptive to such a leadership style.

A brief lesson from the Reformation…

We must realize we are shaped by previous generations. In 1991, mission theologian David Bosch of South Africa noted (in lectures at Western Theological Seminary in Michigan) that churches shaped by the Reformation were left with a view of church that was not directly intended by the Reformers. This view resulted from the way that they spoke about the church. Those churches came to view the church as "a place where certain things happen." The Reformers emphasized as the "marks of the true church" whereby a church exists wherever the gospel is rightly preached and the sacraments are rightly administered.

Over time, these "marks" narrowed the church's definition of itself toward a "place where" idea. The church became less of a community and the bearer of missional responsibility throughout the world. The church became "a place where" Christians gathered for worship and where the Christian character was cultivated. The church became a building where certain things happened. The leadership became a professional class, educated to carry out the church's organizational and authoritative activities. One would "belong to” and "attend" a church. The church was located in a facility for its activities with little relevance to a world outside that facility. The Reformers and those that followed believed that the commission to disciple the nations had been accomplished in the first century. The church ceased to be missional.

Later the colonial expansion of European nations began to raise questions as believers encountered people who had never heard the gospel. This gave rise to voluntary missionary societies. Mission continued to be conceived as something that happens at a physical or social distance. The missionary movement throughout the 19th century did not alter the concept that church was "a place where" certain things happen.

In the latter half of the 20th century with major renewal, the church has begun to be reconceived as a community, a gathered people brought together by a common calling to be a “sent people” (David Bosch). During these transitions, para-church organizations have developed as the institutional church changed slowly. New churches were still heavily influenced by the era of modernity (which highlights the autonomous self and promotes independent churches) and could not meet the challenge of mission. Churches need to see that "they can do together in multiplied fashion what they could never accomplish on their own."

The recent return to Ephesians 4 ministries brings us into a restoration of the missional church community. The church brought together and motivated by an apostolic company returns to its original purpose as a “sent people”.

We are now more able to view the church as a community, a gathered people, brought together by a common calling and vocation to be a sent people. This “definition” of the church, of who we are as God’s people, helps us realize what our life together is all about.

There’s more on how church leadership has been affected by the Reformed perspective in my next post…

Prayer - More Than Last Ditch Effort

Wed, 23 May 2012 06:38:27 PDT

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve talked to leaders who have come out of a difficult situation and said something like I’ve done everything I can, so all I can do now is pray. To be perfectly honest, I’ve heard those words come out of my own mouth a time or two.

It’s true that turning to almighty God in prayer is something we can do when all else fails. But if we only use prayer as our spiritual backstop to save us after we’ve played our own game, we are both limiting prayer and communicating to those around us that isn’t necessary if we can generate the results without it.

Jesus invites His disciples to pray, and guarantees an answer.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7, 8 ESV)

So I would like to suggest both to myself and anyone else who sees prayer more often as a last ditch effort that we take a more active approach.

Ask

We start as Jesus said by asking. This comes first, even before the challenge. We are invited by God to ask and promised that as we come asking, we will receive. Remember, my friends, that we come to the creator of the universe, the all powerful, almighty, all-sufficient God. Let’s not mock Him with small prayers. Ask for love when your heart feels dead, ask for power when you feel weak, ask for boldness when you are timid, ask for provision when you are poor, ask for forgiveness when you can’t forgive yourself. Ask for the impossible. Then watch and wait for the answer.

Now, we know that God doesn’t always give us what we ask for. But Jesus did promise that we would receive. So as you pray, keep your ears open for an answer. Just because God may not answer the way we want, doesn’t mean He will withhold an answer altogether. Our God is a God who communicates clearly, so pray and listen for an answer. The answer may be yes, it may be no, it may be not yet, and it may be keep asking. But let’s not assume that no answer means it must not be God’s will and then give up on persistent prayer. God promises to answer, so don’t stop praying till you have your answer.

Seek

Seeking comes next, when something needs to be found. The challenge has come and the way is unclear. Instead of leaving yourself alone in the forest without a map, seek the way through prayer. Ask the God who sees the end from the beginning to make the path clear, or at the very least to point your feet in the right direction. Again we are promised that if we seek, we will find. The finding may not be exactly what we expected when we started seeking, but we will find.

Knock

Finally we come to the knocking. You have asked God for wisdom, you have received direction, but now you come to a closed door. You know this was the way God led you, but now you can’t proceed. So what to do? Knock on the closed door with your prayers! Don’t knock softly either, make a ruckus out of it. Knock like you mean it, lay your heart out for God and argue your case. Remind Him that He Himself led you to this closed door to begin with. Remind Him that He promised to open the door to those who knock. Remind Him of His unfailing love and grace. Like Moses on the mountain, argue with God for His reputation’s sake. What will unbelievers say if you once rescued your children only to let them perish in the wilderness? Pray like this not out of exasperation, but expecting God to be true to His promises. Take God at His word, knock on the door and watch it open before you.

Instead of saving prayer till the end, after we’ve tried everything else, pray right from the start and all the way through. This way you will find strength and direction all through the challenge, and you will also demonstrate the power of God at work through your leadership.

The Gift of Encouragement

Mon, 21 May 2012 06:48:24 PDT

This is #18 in a series of blogs by PJ on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. This blog deals with the gift of encouragement.

Definition

There are two schools of thought about this gift: some believe that it simply refers to actions and words that bring encouragement to individuals churches. Others believe that it also refers to a ‘deeper’ ministry of counseling and consolation. I think that both are valid expressions of this gift. Some people may be better at one aspect or the other. Those with this gift are skillful in considering how they may spur others on to love and good deeds (Heb 10:24).

An under-utilized gift

I feel this gift is not properly understood and utilized, and too quickly dismissed as a ‘light-weight’ gift. On the contrary, it is a mighty gift of apostolic importance that is necessary to counter the accuser of the brethren. Churches and individuals desperately need courage put into them by people operating in this gift.

Examples in scripture

• Acts 14:21: ‘Paul … won a large number of disciples, strengthening and encouraging them to remain true to the faith”.
• Acts 16:40: ‘Paul … met with the brothers and encouraged them”
• Acts 11:23: ‘Barnabas encouraged those at Antioch’. Barnabas means ‘Son of Encouragement’ (Acts 4:36). He believed in Paul and got him into his main ministry.

How will I know if I have this gift?

Like Barnabas, you will believe in people and loyalty and stickability comes easy to you. You will communicate this faith and hope that you have through words, letters, gifts and actions. You will be able to look beyond the trial and try to motivate others with the coming victory (Gal 6:9-10). You will be able to compliment and praise people without flattery, and you will naturally see the best in others. You gain satisfaction from seeing another person ‘fired-up’ again and going on with God. People will feel better after being around you, feeling hope and faith – courage has been put into them. A preaching gift laced with this gift of exhortation can be a powerful mix. Referencing the counseling aspect of this gift, you will find that you have patience and wisdom to give people advice.

How can I grow my gift?

Pray for more of it. Study diligently. Seek out a mentor to learn from with the same attitude of Elisha in 2 Kings 2:2-9.

This was originally published on the GodFirst Blog.

The gift of Apostles

Fri, 18 May 2012 06:07:10 PDT

A complete canon

Evangelicals who believe, as I do, that apostles exist today, strongly affirm that the canon of scripture is complete and establishes the full truth that God has revealed to us, but are also convinced that the ministry of church planting and laying good foundations in churches and the authority to oversee those churches needs to continue - subject, of course, to the overriding authority of scripture.

The gift of apostles

Furthermore, Ephesians 4 is not the only scripture that speaks of the apostle alongside other gifts in relation to the life of the church. Paul gives several lists of spiritual gifts. Sometimes these are the gifts to the church of a person or ministry or office, as in Ephesians 4; sometimes they are charismatic gifts of particular supernatural abilities, as in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10...In some cases, however, Paul mixes the two. For example, after he has explained the charismatic gifts in the context of the one body of Christ, he goes on to say that God has appointed certain people as gifts to the church: apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, etc. He then raises a question in relation to both categories of gift: Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all work miracles? It would be strange if Paul listed apostles alongside all the other gifts in this context, if it was clearly understood that the only apostles were those who had witnessed the resurrection.'

Why 'false' apostles?

'Another factor to consider is that the New Testament warns against receiving 'false apostles'. If it was known and accepted that there was a fixed group of apostles, then this warning would hardly have been necessary. Clearly there were more apostles and prophets than just the twelve and Paul, and so churches needed to be able to distinguish between genuine and false ones.'

David Devenish, Fathering Leaders, Motivating Mission (p26, 30-31)

The Gift of Teaching

Wed, 16 May 2012 06:11:29 PDT

Definition

It is the special ability that God gives to people to explain and apply the Bible, in a way that helps others learn easily, enjoyably and effectively. It is a pre-requisite of being an elder/pastor (1 Tim 3:2&9 and Titus 1:9-16). The ‘person’ gift of the Teacher mentioned in Ephesians 4 would be a person that has a very mature and recognized gift of teaching. Examples from scripture.

• Neh 8:8: ‘They read from the book of the law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read’.

• Acts 18:24-28: ‘Apollos was a learned man with a thorough knowledge of the scriptures…he spoke with great fervour and taught about Jesus accurately… he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.’

• Peter in Acts 2 and Paul later in Acts exhibit the gift of teaching from Old Testament scriptures. • Jesus: referred to as the Great Teacher in Mt 23:10. • Heb 12:26-28: Teachers are those who (1) Read scripture (2) Explain it (3) Apply it to our lives.

How will I know if I have this gift?

You will enjoy research, study and reading, but you will also be a gifted communicator. You will be concerned for biblical accuracy and context. When you discover a new truth, you will long to pass it on to others. You will get great satisfaction out of someone ‘getting it’. The best teachers are those with both good content and good delivery. People will tell you that they enjoy the way you preach/teach/lead the bible study. People will be pleased when they find out it is you who is preaching/teaching. Please note that some people are excellent researchers and very studious but are no good at delivering the truth to others. These people are better off serving someone who is good at the delivery side of things by researching and writing books and so on. Also remember that there are different capacities and types of this gift, so not everyone will be suited to the same teaching context. Some people thrive on small, interactive groups, and others on preaching to large groups.

How can I grow in this gift?

Pray for more of it. Study diligently. Seek out a mentor to learn from with the same attitude of Elisha in 2 Kings 2:2-9.

Apostles for Every Generation

Mon, 14 May 2012 05:42:11 PDT

It was he who gave some to be apostles. some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

'This chapter seems to speak to the continuing needs of the church throughout its history, and not just its initial first century foundations. The five-fold ministries were given by the ascended Christ as love gifts to the church for a particular purpose, namely that God's people would be equipped or prepared for works of service, so that the body of Christ might be built up. This need continues until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ'

'This equipping ministry is surely needed in every generation, and it is not a natural reading of the passage to assume that there is a distinction between gifts that should continue to perform this equipping function and gifts that should not'

'It is true...that the word 'gave' in relation to the ascended Christ is past tense and refers to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit with his gifts when Christ ascended on high; but surely all gifts continue to come from the ascended Christ to his church and ministers. It seems to me a more natural reading of Ephesians 4 to assume that the church in each generation needs the gifts of the ascended Christ, just as it needs and is promised the power of the Holy Spirit, similarly given from the ascended Christ. Though the Day of Pentecost was the first pouring out of the Holy Spirit, it was not one single event for all time, as the verse 'The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call' makes clear, but an ongoing promise of forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The whole tone of Ephesians 4 seems to suggest something both dynamic and normative for the church at all times.'

David Devenish, Fathering Leaders, Motivating Mission (p23-24)

The Gift of Serving

Fri, 11 May 2012 06:16:58 PDT

Definition

We are of course all called to be servants as servanthood is a Christ-like quality. However, people with this gift have special grace to invest their time, talents and treasures into the lives of others. They are people who feel fulfilled by being the arms and legs of the ministry…they are the engine room! They love to be the support team who get the job done.

Examples from Scripture

The group of women who often looked after Jesus would be one example, and John Mark would be another, who ‘was with Paul and Barnabas as their helper’ (Acts 13:5).

What does this gift look like in real life?

People with this gift make superb Personal Assistants and team members. They are most fulfilled serving another person / vision and implementing and representing this person. There is sometimes overlap with the gift of administration.

This is a vital gift

Rather like the gift of encouragement, I feel that this is another gift that is not well understood and utilized, and too quickly dismissed as a ‘light-weight’ gift. I believe more people than we think have this gift. To use the phrase ‘Chiefs and Indians’, this is an ‘Indian’ gift. Chiefs desperately need those with this gift to faithfully tuck in behind and represent them and implement the vision. When this happens the effectiveness and enjoyment of the ministry can sky-rocket.

How will I know if I have this gift?

Whilst you will not be a push-over, you will be most comfortable tucking in behind a ‘No 1’ type leader. You may well be drawn to a particular project or person and just want to serve there.

How can I grow my gift?

Firstly, recognize that you have it. Then pray and study to develop it, and get doing it – this might mean approaching a person and making yourself available to them.

Apostles Today?

Wed, 09 May 2012 06:46:36 PDT

Epistles or Apostles?

Once upon a time it was not uncommon to hear, "now we have epistles, we don't need apostles" the assumption being that once the first century apostles had written down a body of doctrine for the church, their job was done. However, a new generation of leaders and church planters who are passionate about building the church, preaching the gospel and reaching the nations, are now seriously questioning this stance. What is the biblical role of an apostle? Is there a scriptural mandate for that role to continue today? If so, what does that look like, bearing in mind the misuse and even abuse of this role by some who have claimed apostleship in the past?

These are some of the important questions that David Devenish addresses in his book, "Fathering Leaders, Motivating Mission", with the subtitle: "Restoring the role of the apostle in today's church".

Ephesians 4 ministry

In his introduction he writes, "A passion for the truth leads me to the conviction that if the bible indeed teaches us that apostles are a continuing gift to the church, along with the other ministry gifts of Ephesians 4, then it is important for the church and for world mission that this ministry is restored."

His book has been highly recommended, not only by Terry Virgo and others within the Newfrontiers family of churches that David is a part of, but also Church leaders such as Bob Roberts Jr, Senior Pastor of Northwood Church, Dallas and founder of Glocalnet.

Bob writes, "I couldn't put down Fathering Leaders, Motivating Mission. It is an incredible and solid book - it isn't lightweight theologically, biblically, or practically. There is nothing I have read that comes close to it in explanation and application. So much of what is written on this today is anecdotal, fluff or not biblically based. David's book will become a standard read for those exploring or curious about apostolic ministry. This book is a real gift to the church today"

Over the next few weeks I shall be quoting a number of extracts from David's book in a series of blogs called 'Apostles Today?'

The Gift of Being Prophetic

Mon, 07 May 2012 06:48:32 PDT

Definition

In keeping with the ‘motivational’ theme of these gifts, you will have immediately noticed that I am calling this gift ‘being prophetic’. I am not calling it either ‘the gift of prophecy’ like the one in the 1 Corinthians 12 cluster of gifts, nor ‘being a prophet’ like I will in the Ephesians 4 cluster of gifts. However, as you would imagine there is significant overlap between these three distinctions.

Prophetic people (the group that we are looking at here) will usually have the gift of prophecy, and some will mature into full-blown Ephesians 4 prophets. But – and some of you will be relieved to hear this – it is possible to be prophetically motivated but not be much inclined to bring prophetic words. For you, it is the way that you think and speak and act that is prophetic. Let’s have a look and see what I mean…

Characteristics of prophetic people

They tend to have a very direct way of dealing with things. They tell things ‘the way they are’ and see things as right and wrong. They are outspoken. They need to speak to express what they think. They are direct, frank and don’t waste words. They are verbally motivated. E.g. John the Baptist (Mk 6:18) – he just told Herod straight!
They are provocative. Prophets provoke us to think about things in a new way.
They tend to be uncompromising, bold, and forthright, and are concerned about the things of God. They like to motivate people to righteousness, and can therefore make strong leaders.
They have an intuitive sense about where people are at, and how things really are. They see through facades. “How are you?” “I’m so blessed.” “Rubbish!” They have the capacity to identify, define and hate evil. But it is righteous anger. They get angry because the person is ruining their life! They hate the devil! Sin enrages them.
They tend to make passionate and fervent pray-ers. They have a heavy concern for the reputation of God and His agenda.
They like to confront things and to deal with issues then and there. Unless they hear the person say, “Yes, I am wrong, you are right, I will do that,” they are not convinced! They also like to see a visible change in a person.
This gift often works well with the gift of prophecy, discerning of spirits, and intercession.

Misunderstandings / Weaknesses

Their frankness may be perceived as harshness, and they usually have to learn how to speak the truth in love and present truth in the most helpful possible way with minimum offense. They can come on too strong. In their passion to ‘fix it’ they sometimes struggle just to listen and express empathy.
Their focus on right and wrong (no grey areas) may be seen as intolerant.
They can be rather intense and often need to learn to lighten up a bit.

How can a person like this help you?

So long as you can survive what they say and how they say it, the advice they give you can help you very much indeed because they cut right to the heart of the issue.

Growing my gift

Pray for more of it. Study it. Use it. But stay accountable and work on the “in love” side of things.