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We'll be studying John 9 to see how Jesus makes disciples and sends them tonight. Hope you can join.
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The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10: 17-20)
One of our goals is to be a community that continues to learn about prayer. Over these first 20 months, we've experienced a dimension of spiritual warfare more concrete than anything we've experienced before the Westside. From Willie busting into to community prayer yelling that we should not listen to Jesus to Wayne speaking in multiple voices to Brad and Clare while blaspheming the Father to Jeff's multiple and divisive production of lies to Joe speaking condemnation over the gathered community in prayer—we have all seen phenomena that has some distinct whiff of the Enemy.
After hearing us tell enough of these kinds of stories, our friend Theo suggested that I attend the Dunamis Project's Spiritual Deliverance and Kingdom Advancement. Put on by PRMI (Presbyterian Reformed Ministries International), The Dunamis Project has as its fundamental purpose the equipping of an extended fellowship of Christians, both clergy and laity, in the ministry of the Holy Spirit all of which is for the glory of Jesus Christ.
The Dunamis Project provides a setting where Christians not only receive teaching, but also begin to experience the reality of spiritual leadership as promised to us by Jesus Christ that is to have the Holy Spirit within us for salvation and Christian character formation, and upon us for the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit enabling us to witness to Jesus Christ.
The PRMI website is rich and informative. It's well worth a read to hear what our brothers and sisters are working on in a most thoughtful way.
Starting with the title, Spiritual Deliverance and Kingdom Advancement, God taught me a great deal about linking these two dimensions of following Jesus. Previously, I had heard about deliverance ministry and thought it was only for the Truth Is Out There kinds of ministry engagements. But as I went back to Luke 10 and saw Jesus at the start of his ministry, He sent His disciples out to help people get free of spiritual oppression in order that they might know Jesus in all of His fullness.
Throughout the four days (yes, four days), the Dunamis folks shared the deep biblical foundations for warfare and kingdom advancement. The manual is detailed and exhaustive. The teachers Nick Krantz from Seattle and Jeannie Kraak from North Carolina were personable and knowledgeable. The sessions were set up with very wise process moving from teaching to workshop to reflection and then back to teaching. An intercessory team was praying throughout the four days. All of this knowledge will take months to process. One way I'll be processing it is to teach it to and think about it with others. I'm in the midst of sharing chunks of the scriptural basis with whoever wants to come on Wednesday mornings from 9-10a (except the week of the 17th of May)
I've also appreciated some of the process pieces that are central for Dunamis ministry. One idea was how they proceed in doing deliverance prayer ministry as well as healing prayer ministry. Their list from the website is as follows.
Seven Effective Habits for People in Ministry
We hold as crucial the unique personhood of all Gods people, and diligently work to preserve this principle. This means that in ministry, we must act only in ways that honor, respect, and affirm one another. To this end, we use 7 Effective Habits for People in Ministry.
* Ministry is best done in small ministry teams [Luke 10:1ff].
Scripture teaches this principle, and experience teaches that teams of two to four persons normally are the optimal ones. Larger teams often are fertile grounds for confusion. Several people all feeling led to minister in different ways at the same time cannot operate in any sort of spiritual unity.
* Ministry teams have only one leader or point person [Ex.7:1].
One team member serves as the leader or point person within a ministry team. The Holy Spirit often works through all members of the team, but only one member leads ministry and makes ministry decisions. This provides clear direction and avoids diversion of focus.
* Ministry teams always respect the dignity of people [Rom. 13: 7].
This dignity is preserved more easily when men minister to men, and women to women. Ministry teams with mixed sexes are also effective. In those cases, persons of the sex opposite to the one receiving ministry may be asked to excuse themselves to allow 'personal' ministry matters to be effected.
* Ministry may be effected through the laying on of hands and anointing [Heb. 6: 1,2; James 5: 14,15].
There is Biblical precedent for these practices, but there is none requiring either. There are many times when the laying on of hands may cause undue anxiety on the part of the one seeking prayer.
When either practice accompanies prayer, it should always be done in a polite, proper, decorous and respectful manner, and with permission of the person seeking ministry and healing.
* Ministry should always done with permission [Mark 10:51].
We affirm the necessity of receiving permission before moving into any ministry. This means that we move forward in a trust relationship, within bounds that are comfortable to the one seeking prayer.
Always ask for permission to touch the one seeking prayer. Always ask for permission to move ahead in a particular area of ministry.
Ministry is always effected within the authorized limits set by the one in spiritual authority [Matt. 21: 23ff].
All ministry is conducted within the limits set out by the Dunamis leadership.
* Ministry is learned in an atmosphere of mutual accountability [Mark 6:30].
One of the other solid practices that they provided for me in the midst of exploring this field of spiritual warfare and Kingdom advancement is a highlight on discernment and reflection. The potential for confusion and worse is high if one engages in this work in a less that thoughtful manner. Again, at the end of each day, we would spend time debriefing and I found this to be really worthwhile as they focused on these four questions on their website.
The best way to learn about ministry is by doing it, and a part of learning is to discover some things that usually are helpful to do and some things that usually are helpful not to do. Learning involves doing, and doing often involves making mistakes.
So, we are all responsible to each other and need to talk about what happened or didn't happen through us, as well as what happened to us and questions that arise. This is why the evening debriefing sessions are an essential and crucial ingredient of the Dunamis Project.
Four Guidelines for Discernment of the Holy Spirit
1. Does it give Glory to Jesus Christ in the present and in the future?
John 14:26
John 16:13-14
2. Is it consistent with the intentions and character of God as revealed in Scripture?
John 2:22
2 Tim 3:14-17
3. Do other people who are filled with the Holy Spirit have a confirming witness?
1 Cor 14:29
4. Is there confirmation in objectively verifiable events or facts?
Deut 18:21-22
Isa 55:10-11
At the end of the session, they asked if anyone was feeling called to deliverance ministry. Three days before, that would have been the furthest thing from my head. But one hour before the session ended, I was walking on the beach and I had the distinct impression that God was calling me to bring this dimension of prayer to the Boiler Room.
So they prayed for those of us who felt this particular call. Groups of people prayed over each of us. For me, they prayed for a spirit of humility, compassion, authority, discernment, protection and wisdom. And as I was being prayed for I felt this electric shower up and down my back. And looking back it felt like this particular week was God providing a fuller glimpse of who He is, of who He is calling me to be, of who He is calling the Boiler Room to be.
And I rejoice that He knows my name and that I know His.
May God be glorified as His Spirit teaches us more and more.
::tony::
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Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. (1 Timothy 4:13) Spring Arbor University Chapel - Dan Mike April 20, 2009, 10:10 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Location: Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church Dan Mike, urban missionary at Stockbridge Boiler Room in Grand Rapids, Mich. speaks in chapel. With a Spiritual Warfare conference and a schedule busy with visitors, there's been little chance to catch everyone up on God's provision. One of the more exciting things for Jenn and I is the provision of witnessing God working through the folks that have come to spend a season with us in prayer and discipleship. The Holy Spirit has truly been annointing folks in our community and sending them out to give glory to God. Danmike was invited to teach at the Chapel for Spring Arbor. We teased him that the hype got so big for his visit that he became one of those first name performers like Madonna and Pele (truth be told, they just didn't get the Danmike usage). Regardless of typos, more than a thousand students gathered and God was glorified through the Prior of the Boiler Room talking about expectations, comfort and sacrifice- exhorting this next generation to run hard after Jesus. Judging by emails like this one, Danmike gave God glory. Greetings! I don't know who receives the emails at the Stockbridge Boiler Room, but I just wanted to send my thanks to an intern, Danmike Thompson. He was a chapel speaker at Spring Arbor University and I had the privelege of listening. It was truly one of the best chapels, if not the best, that I have been to in my two years as a student. I feel compelled to thank him, so please pass on my appreciation for his inspirational message. God Bless you all and the work you do for God's Kingdom! May we all bring the Gospel forth like our brother. ::tony::
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After four months of listening and following, it seemed wise to reflect upon and assess what God is doing in our midst. As we've done this, the Holy Spirit has pointed us to some fruit that God is growing as well as some things He wants to teach us. We want to be obedient and testify to God's faithfulness. Download Sbrreport54
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