True disciples encouraging true disciples in an age of many followers, following anyone and anything.

Do you desire most to be loved or to be effective ? 

Who do you desire to be effective for ?

God's approval and pleasure according to His unconditional love, calling and purposes in our lives should be the only demand / desire we serve and have affection for.  

• Why where the Old Testament prophets rejected and hated so much? 
• Why did those closest to Jesus pay the cost to death? 
• Why is the biblical pattern of spiritual leadership about dying to our reputation and popularity ?
• How does this fit in with the mission of God today, and our place, fruitfulness in it?

Things we know are in the bible but may forget in contemporary culture.

1) Truth is always more important than trend.

2) Ultimate matters matter most. True reality is not what we project but what He knows about us. If we die/ we were called to be before His throne today, internet followers, books sold, video hits, anything which comes from reputation would not matter with even a smidgen of relevance. 

However,  the reality of our love for Christ, the outworking of it, how we have actually lived, built, modelled and encouraged His kingdom in others, lived in obedience, worship, urgency, genuine love for His people and the lived in integrity to be like Christ and prioritised His mission to the lost in faithfulness to Him, would be issues of highest importance. Of course some come to Christ in their final hours which impact this, but for most of us this not our reality. Alongside this is the basis of our motivation in all things, our genuine delight in Him, our true motivation and joy  to do what pleases Him in response to who He is, not being motivated by anything else or building on any other foundation. 

There appears to be a lot of projection in our culture, trying to direct or channel people into what we want them to think of us (manufacturing / management of our profile real or virtual) This is the age where we write our own bio, our own LinkedIn profile and many others. This is a complex dynamic many of our forefathers never battled with. Networks and reputation seem to matter so much. So prevailing and present in contemporary spiritual leadership culture is the idea that we convince others of our orthodoxy or authenticity, our validity to be doing God's work.  I'm honestly not convinced  in many contexts people notice anymore when projection is fundamentally human, self centred and self motivated. God notices without fail, Identity in Him (producing sanctification / fruitfulness/ being obedient to Him)  and human projection should not be accepted as compatible but there are times we are hard pressed to see others discern this. 

3) Whilst contemporary culture connects people fleetingly for a purpose veneer thick , His eternal plan is for authentic lasting relationship at the deepest and most organic level. 

His patterns, foundations, communities and applications for relationship are so much deeper. (Gen 2:18, Acts 2:46). It is relatively easy in our world to find a contact or connect with someone who affirms you or thinks you have something to say on some issue. In the good old days people did something before they wrote about it or were affirmed. Today you can build a platform to raise funds and promote yourself (or a subject) before you have done anything. Relationships or ministry profile can really therefore be built on the most shallow of foundations. Doing life biblically, ministry in substance, being proper church, life on life fellowshipping in mission is so much more demanding than a temporary or shallow connection. Shepherding people fruitfully in accordance with Him, is such a very different thing to being a preacher or teacher with a profile or platform. Being effective in His purposes has very little to do with profile and very much to do with humility and obedience. 

As I have said before here (and fear might be becoming a bit of a mantra), people quote biblical instruction (what God says in the bible) as if they have ticked and completed all the relevant boxes of proving  authenticity. Our culture is far less observant of biblical patterns (what God does, loves and detests) and I fear we apply ourselves far less readily to that.

Observations of biblical patterns.

a) Sent from God, shaped by God and not by the world. 

Apostleship post glorification / ascension of The Lord Jesus sees The Spirit giving gifts to the church in a new epoch (Ephesians 4) by His sending and His command of individuals to go. It is not by man's manufacturing. Both epochs / eras/ seasons have intimate spiritual relationship in The Spirit at the core of the dynamic. The way of God has never changed, the season has (Acts 1:7-9). The great command to love as proof of authenticity and the great collaboration to seek His kingdom is key, as is the one of priority relationship with whom all are truly united and empowered (reread 1 John 4).  These things (the great command and collaboration in Christ) are as equally important as the great commission He gives us. The manner in which we go is as important as the going. Going alone does not mark authenticity, in fact it could be a human mechanism to adopt a divine notion. 

b) To the world for Christ and not for ourselves. To proclaim Him, His Lordship character and salvation, the reality of His resurrection (Acts 1:22, 26)

c) His work is qualitatively different on many dimensions to a human construct. He appoints children to edify the body and equip/ encourage it to do the same by His resurrection power. It is The Spirit who.choses to do this sending and equipping for expansion work of the kingdom ACTS 13:2, 14:4 (Paul and Barnabas as Apostles) continues in dynamic (1 Cor 4:9 Appolos / Sostehenes, Romans 16:7, Andronicus, Junia 1 These 2:6 Silvanus, Timothy 1 Cor 15:5-7) , but this choosing is His work not our work, His designation not ours, defined by His parameters not ours.

New frontiers of ministry, founding churches amongst new people groups, dynamics of gospel reach are by His direction and equipping when authentically His work, direction, and by His power. Proof of human industry does not automatically correlate with proof of divine authenticity and authority. Bringing revelation of God, his revealed truth to bear on decision making  within such scenarios is an awesome responsibility. Humility is the prominent characteristic of this dynamic  when genuine. (1 Cor 15:8-9) "I am the least". 

d) There are clearly false Apostles and presumptuous self appointed spiritual "over leaders". (The Ephesian church Revelation 2:2. ) Just because people attempt gospel work or mission, or a high level missional position of leadership does not mean that it is The Spirits work. 

e) The testing of an apostolic function is not in gifting but "sentness". Of course Paul was gifted, so uniquely and exquisitely, and God does not / will not send someone who is ill equipped but ... obvious gifting or human qualification/ qualities do not make apostolic dynamics happen. 

There are OT apostolic dynamics of commissioning (Luke 11:49-54) and the divine sending of God by his specifically sent people for specific purpose at a specific historic juncture has been a constant pattern / theme of grace through redemptive history. (John 13:16).

Note in passing these added distinguishing characteristics of all the above.

1) This is about team not individualism. Regardless of the uniqueness of the calling, era, geography, missional challenge, individualism, self promotion and self declaring of position is not how God works. Accountability, obedience and humility are always present and affirm authenticity in the Christ sent dynamic.

 2) A teacher sent by The Spirit is more than one "able to teach" or with a teaching record . He is sent to speak how that revealed truth to all works in such a context at this time for kingdom / missional advance. Antioch's teaching men show this. Evangelists likewise are a sent gift (Acts 21:8) Philip), and without wishing to be controversial Prophets are the most clearly defined ( Romans 12:6, 1 cor 12:10, 28, Eph 4:11). Some gifts for the local church seem to be marked for local use, others for advance and missional use. 

3) Although a leader gifted to the church can use His spiritual gifts anywhere, something unique is stressed in apostolic dynamics to use what God has gifted for a place and sent time of fresh gospel advance. 

4) Apostolic dynamics / gifting are still relational (Acts 13:1-2 Antioch) with others who do not have apostolic purpose. Those who are sent and those who remain are one in His purposes. True NT team shows diversity and humility in leading others into truth, they all seek to fit in with His divinely commissioming purposes for His glory, not clamber for elevation or superiority. 

5) The normal pattern for one used in apostolic "sending" is one of consistent suffering, hardship, rejection, relational burden and often martyrdom. Endurance is a key sign of authenticity (Col 1:11). To keep going under persistent, prolonged pressure tests the reality of our calling whatever and wherever it is (Romans 5:3-5, 2 Tim 4:5). His might and His glory keep those going who are called to such a life of self denial and task of obedient influence. This is what we seek to model faithfulness in, regardless of whether our task is local or global, one or multiple geographies, deep fellowships with a small group or larger, missional leadership of one culture or many cultures. This is the nature of maturity we seek to see in others as they grow in dependance on Him and affection for Him not us, and we show our weakness - point to His strength, as we seek to make disciples of Christ and not followers for ourselves.     

Lord, by your grace make us faithful disciples in every dimension, influencing the next generation of disciples to follow you alone in all things, for your purposes alone,  in your timing and your power. 

The quiet revolution of closeness with Him.

 Given the sadness of the reality in the last two blogs we are reminded that there is hope in those who are fully surrendered to Christ. Walking with Him is joy and satisfaction. Throughout scrpture and His historical work of redemption, He has chosen to inhabit those surrendered to himself in humility for His purposes. It is utterly irrelevant how highly (or lowly) others value, honour or respect us if we are in the place of His choosing, living as He has outlined and operative in dependance within the mission directives He has called us to, There is grace, we are not perfect in listening or prompt to respond. There is patience when we are slow to hear the voice who directs. There is wisdom from His word with daily correctives for those who seek him but are tempted  to rely on our own intellect. In essence life in The Spirit, faithful to the call of the Spirit, living to point people to Christ is the happiest place regardless of what others are doing. There is appropriate confidence in closeness to Christ. 

What though of our role as intercessors for our families, churches, nations. local  and global missional connections?

God rewards  and uses those who diligently seek Him and live to please Him.

How will our nation, global missional networks, frontier peoples, churches, families  be redeemed in His purposes? By you and I getting serious about our close walk with Him and being clean surrendered channels of His purposes, sacrificing all notions and affections for our own kingdoms and serving Him with integrity and transparency. It is no more complex. Draw close to Him, it begins and ends there. 

2 Chron 7:14, James 4:8

How does His Spirit work in our intercessions, especially if those charged with Spiritual authority and leadership do not see the same perspective, either through different discernment or sin?

1) We seek to please Him regardless of whether we are able to influence others by asking Him to be the one who administers change, When we see so much in the Christian world / in others that concerns us the temptation of course is to lose heart, and so we would if the correctives and consequences all depended on us, Like Peter in John 21:22 our primary concern for the Lord Jesus should be pleasing Him ourselves and focussing on what He has called us to, 

2) We seek to respond obediently to what THE SPIRIT does lay on our hearts, Does that (1) mean that we are never concerned, pray or called to be wise about other ministry situations / parts of the new community ? This surely cannot be the case. Sometimes we are called to articulate something is wrong to care for others who are affected by it, or simply because God has placed a weighty conviction on our hearts that intrudes into our spiritual walk by His design (as we read His word, as we pray, everything of His Spirit says AMEN).  Being preoccupied with such things however or seeking them is never our calling or obedient. Growing in discernment is God's design for us, we are answerable for our own lives alone, and no doubt some maybe many of the situations which test our deep discernment about His people are by design of providence coming into our lives more directly for this very purpose. 

Appropriate respect for spiritual leadership and the new community bought with the blood of Christ. 

I have no issues with those not in leadership being exercised about the nature and reality  of new community health. Firstly this is how progression into leadership is exercised/ explored/ tested, and secondly we believe in the priesthood of all believers. If done in the right spirit of love and truth entering in to discussion with full honouring hearts for the new community of Christ, such a discussion is so healthy. There is a breed of leadership style however which says consider such things as a layoerson if you dare ? A heavy management style (professionalism) of shepherding (not what was once called "heavy shepherding" but heavy handed pastoring which leads behind a barricade of yes men in leadership who do not challenge authority of lead figures). Those who call themselves shepherds who are threatened by such conversations about the spiritual health of the new community and manufacture barriers / circumnavigate against the new community being honest, open and able to articulate integrity conviction about its spiritual state, surely have bigger issues of insecurity  and identyity in their calling. Shepherds are servants,  called to serve the church and its growth in maturity not demand spiritual maturity of a local church in order to serve their ministry and progress.  I think of Richard Baxter serving his congregation to maturity. 

Having said that we need to remember that there is a huge difference between being concerned about churches, people, mission activities / regions/ ministries. relationships where we have had intimate relational connection, ( places and people we have served the purposes of Christ in  by prayer, obedience in His Spirit, been actively involved  in / connected with because of His direction / providence) and being a busy bodies (2 Thess 3:11) concerned with things we have no connection with outside of our circumstance, calling or hard work. 

Submitting to The Spirit amidst unresolved change is always part of our faithfulness. 

Put another way success in the Spiritual walk is never having all unresolved issues resolved this side of holy, but learning to resolve them by faith in THE LORD - His authority, power and governance. So many psalms are about this. I think of so many under persecution who model this daily. Contrast the western activism to set things right by personal force or protest on a public forum or social media site. In a cell with broken bones, THE SPIRIT of Christ is present with those who submit to/ obey The Spirit and love Christ and His church. The voice they hear in their loneliness is saying "leave this issue of authority with me and my eternal throne". Like the early churches and their issue with persecutor Saul, it was a personal voice who said trust me with this, and a personal voice which spoke to Saul resolve it. If it is not resolved today, you have full assurance that it will be resolved at the ultimate time of resolution when all wrongs are put right. The same voice that spoke the world into being has spoken by His Son and will speak judgement and resolution. 

What to pray, how to pray, how to be changed and model spiritual transformation.

What to pray. That our main concern is that He resolves this In Christ for His honour, and we are not gods to ourselves. That He is pleased with His people and honoured by them in their call to Him and dependance on Him. Romans 5:2 in the context of 5:1-6. Part of our joy in these things is that we can take them to Christ, know Him more and He will resolve all things for His glory and our good. Pray that our resolution and acceptance will be 100% in Him and resting in His presence,  regardless of how this presenting issue will be resolved or unresolved in our understanding in the here and now. When faith is being tested and under pressure our reset must be to hear Gen 15:1, that He remains "our shield and very great reward". His infinite goodness does not change (James 1:17). Abiding in His presence is His ultimate gift of goodness. We pray therefore as an expression of Faith and love that He will resolve all things, and that we will all  grow in the knowledge of this now as He progresses that in His own timing. 

How to pray: HUMBLY that we will please Him. In humble submission to the mediation of Christ. In the faith that our father who sees in secret and will one day open up all things we pray that our heart condition and the heart condition of others will conform  to the image of His Son. That love and obedience will radiate (1 Cor 13:8), that we will display His nature. Regardless of the outcome of such issues then our joy will remain in the fact that we abide in the one whom we will abide in forever. Pray that we will grow in wisdom, holiness, sin renounced, (sanctification). 

How to be changed and model change: Display obedience to God. 2 Cor 5:17. 2 Peter 3:17-18. The same SPIRIT which calls us to mission calls us to Holiness. 

When error abounds, be consistent in seeking sanctification, If the error in others is  not listening to THE SPIRIT in His mission direction (prioritising their own direction for life and ministry), be sure to be loving the lost yourself, ready to leave your comfort for them yourself, and showing a life which is consistent / in balance between mission and holiness to commend the truth and presence of God. The reference to Paul (14-18) is clear and constant in both applied holiness, and applied missional obedience. This is a high calling and task. None of us are perfect, but all of us should be seeking to model Christ, the obedient one to His sending, the obedient one to His sacrifice, the obedient one to His pleasing of the Father in all aspects. As we grow in obedience, pleasing the Father, temptation will increase  not dissipate (Matthew 3:16-4:1). Our only resource to stand is the word of God at work in us, and the power of The SPIIRT to apply His word in our total surrender and dependance. 

Be confident that when you ask THE LORD in quiet and respectful obedience to speak to others if appropriate, if  in line with the promptings of His SPIRIT to you, GOD will  speak to those who are out of step with Him.  Their response, you leave with Him. 

Fake boldness and that of true power.

 We returning to the question asked about "why such a lack of authentic power and presence of God is  present in the current culture of technically accurate and well constructed preaching of God's word?"

 I think it is key to distinguish the features of authentic Spirit filled new community dynamics, what missional congregations gathering, scattering, and what the typical preaching within that context shows. 

It appears to me that the culture of our age is to reverse engineer everything rather than go for the organic. It is quicker and easier, less dangerous,  but fake. Instant church and authentic kingdom growth taste nothing like each other. 

For example...

 We all see that there are needs to "plant" many churches. We run working groups to identify locations quickly, prayer cards to publicise the needs widely. We establish courses and set up networks, training and extensive book series on the  identified "25 healthy characteristics of church planting" are beautifully produced. We publish, conference and vlog on all the above extensively ... and in a short concentrated period  out of a growing momentum,  a new generation of people are "mobilised" by the vision (note the vision not necessarily the calling of The SPIRIT ). 

Many church plants are attempted, some in frontier or courageous missional contexts, Yet years after this, I enter such a region to discover that not one of the frontier planters, workers from that movement or pastors have remained in situ for the longterm. What went wrong? Why is there only one guy remaining there? Was it that he cites a personal clear call taking Him from His comfort to give His life to this ? Did the hard yards of living amongst the community relationally for the first decade earn trust and show Christ, as he leant to love the people prior to church  planting many years later. Is this why the church is still going ? Why is this church still growing after 25 years, and reaches such  diverse people groups ? When all those who came in the church planting "movement" are short lived history, could it be that the man God appointed this guy to plant His church? Although untrained, without certification, unique in background, was this mediocre looking unimpressive guy actually the one that God truly called and who has humbly faithfully walked with God in obedience to the mission of God ? 

If I were to put my finger on the main issues (other than tested character,  transparent mentoring, true calling mentioned in the last blog), near top of the list would be the issue of false confidence. 

Meditate on ACTS 4 again: 12-13

 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognised that they had been with Jesus.

There are several obvious (101) things to recognise:

1) Their boldness was relational with Jesus. It was from the reality of who Jesus is, His work in them, their time with Him, and the obvious presence of His Spirit having been gifted to them and living transparently through their lives. Their confidence was not from themselves, from clever technique, well thought out process, a plan "movement", certificated study or from a system that a human boss / denomination/ mission organisation/ inspirational leader had given to them. 

2) Their calling was a relational (personal) one from Jesus, risen ascended and with all authority and power not a systemised one from men. This accompanies all true boldness in The Spirit as we preach. This is so different to the identification of natural or spiritual gifting. It is the knowledge that we are His mouthpiece for such a time as this. 

3) Their boldness came from THE SPIRIT at work through them, as they followed His lead from a place of obedience, fear, trembling and humility. 

4) The surpassing and blinding glory and reality of Jesus shines a light on our ordinariness. True spirit inhabited declaration is accompanied by us looking unimpressive and unnoteworthy (except by  our ordinariness and how unmemorable we are).  

It may seem so obvious, but I think many mistake human confidence (overconfidence)  for Spiritual boldness today. There seems a desire to be noticed even if that is just in reliability to do derivative christian type things well or consistently. 

I will overstate it to make a point more clearly... but it would be along the lines of ...

Scenario 1: The overconfident big / "good name" church with a reliable reputation for bible teaching. 

A full church gathers for their summer morning series. An articulate and well trained communicator is trusted to "perform" in the first of a new set of "studies". Following the band "A" leading worship on the rota, he arrests the room with a great introduction and keeps the room with well rehearsed exegesis. Those who take notes love it, He has great clear points. It seems like all the best commentaries have been percolated into a slick streamline.  He sticks to time - no one in the youth stream or children's ministry will be inconvenienced, whatsoever. He looks at the camera, uses His charm, smile and fresh trim. I'm sure his tan is better than last week. He looks good, has GSOH, though I think I've heard that intro joke before from someone else.  He is so clear. He is easily understood, there are no sidelines, nuances, sensitive moments. difficult applications, uncomfortable challenges. He pushes all the correct buttons and people go away saying what a great exposition of the passage that was, with greater confidence in him as pastor and as a leader of people. Over high quality coffee and cake you can hear "didn't ________ preach well this morning?"

No one goes away with greater clarity on their local mission, greater surrender or intimacy with Christ, being better equipped to share the gospel in their context or those many unreached pockets of society around the main mother church nbuilding. Nothing really has challenged them to a greater sense of God's character, grace, searing work of Holiness, or sense that He is at work amongst the new community for the purposes of winning the lost through their counterculture.  Nothing has changed or been redirected in their local mission or demands fresh dependence for it. Peoples' understanding of their identity and role as " christians" is under the name and programs (very full weekly program) of the church, especially as holiday club comes up for the children. However  not much if anything has been said about us as people of Christ placed in His global mission.  True surrender to Christ is counted as signing up on the many rotas that are in need of new people and for holiday club (which has now proudly run for the last 48 years without a break). There is no prophetic understanding of what they have been called to right now. It is as if the world has not changed recently or within our span. There is no mention of any other context or partnership in mission, but that boxed was ticked. After all we did interview "our mission partner" up the front between the 3rd and 4th song (which was a special new song for mission which shows how serious we are about keeping mission on the agenda). No-one can have anything other than a clear sense that this church is "on mission" and rededicated to him, after all we discussed it at the gift day and members meeting. Some wonder however why that specific individual is still being supported after 18 years without a clear strategy, much mission drift and what the nature of their relationship with the church truly is.  

 What the church have been called to at this specific time was referred to as the same as mentioned at the members meeting. Nothing changes for His Kingdom at this time. The situation is neat and under control. We're not sure why the church supports the mission partners they do other than they have strong family and organisational connections. We sure are faithful though. Some young people have gone on short term mission with an organisation that will take anyone (as long as they raise the cash), so that's good.  They will come back with a lifetime passion for "mission". I think they're having a great time, looked like especially from the video they showed, with their tracking and absailing up the mountains. 

 People go home for a great Sunday in the Sunshine with family. There is no evening "service". Put simply the church name/ man is too big in his own eyes / the congregations eyes, for the Lord to be truly heard, but the people are so happy that they are "Christians". As the song says "it is well with my soul" (that was sung so well by the way). They spend the rest of their Sunday being "refreshed" by BBQ's. binge watching Netflix, sport and a well earned snooze. This helps to be ready for Monday morning and the reality of work. At Monday morning church staff team, the next OOS for next Sunday is discussed. 

Scenario 2: The overconfident big organisation.

A large network has been built, it needs capable people and "big hitters" at "the top" to lead and "direct". They are put in place on the basis of their charisma, natural organisational gifting or exceptional qualifications / training. They lead pastors and churches, mission networks. We must respect them - what a huge responsibility. The one preaching and leading strategically, centre of online communication has never been in local pastoral ministry, served the hard yards, had the edges knocked off, but he is so articulate and engaging. They say he is gifted, but that gifting of strategic missional leadership, equipping God/s people for works of service,  pastoral integrity under hardship that everyone cites has never been truly tested in a local congregation. He shot up the ranks very quickly. He says the right phrases and He won't disturb the equilibrium. 

 He explains how the whole network will win the nation with passion, and how the network is setup for success, what has been accomplished this year. People fall into line for fear of being known as the one who upset the apple cart / became the squeaky wheel of negativity. So many are afraid of stating the blooming obvious, and what so many are thinking / articulating privately. The majority are not yet convinced and have not been for many years that this is indeed God's direction. We seem to have lost touch relationally with those who function effectively as a "head" office. Title and function/ influence seem to be be two entirely different things in this circumstance. The confidence here is not founded in the unity, presence and leadership of The Spirit, the interconnected deep fellowship of His people, but a human mechanism which has commendable and noble intensions, in an age of small things and marginalised christianity. 

Scenario 3: The overconfident graduate.

He's completed his three or four years. It was monster expensive, but his church paid the price of hundreds of thousands to make it happen. They did it because they love to be known for training men for ministry. The syllabus was awesome, the names teaching so well known and widely published. The course concentrated on excellence in exegesis and communication. During that time he did internships in various places (especially the safe ones) to "practice" preaching and pastoral ministry. 

Now in his first appointment he has moved to a place of "natural" synergy for his background and academic ability. His young wife is thrilled with this lovely place to live, healthy church congregation and the comfortable salary which helps them get started and think about raising a family. Everything seems to be in place... yet no trials have yet come to test character, no mentors have anything near an ongoing scrutiny of integrity, watch over his life and doctrine. In fact he has very few "friends", no true unguarded knowledge of the private walk of this believer is known by those closest to him.  He comes from good stock so that should be enough. 

The team and culture he moves to do not hold to healthy mutual accountability. Each have their clear role and try not to upset that.  There has been no true discussion of the missional calling and context of this congregation, who it is failing to reach/ connect with, who it is sending to frontier mission, who the leadership are out of their comfort zone for. The aim and priority is simply to be "faithful" to the preaching of God's word (to win the confidence of the congregation), but there has been no discussion on what it means to be faithful in all areas, or what defines being faithful in biblical terms. This is especially true when it comes to the issue of God's global and local mission, and training for that. The congregation like this guy, his grandad would be so proud. He preaches His first "full Sunday" with us today. What do you expect his message will be ?

The opposite of human over confidence is humility to bow in total surrender before The LORD.

 "if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.  Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.  For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.  And as for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked, doing according to all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my rules,  then I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to rule Israel.’  

2 Ch 7:14–18.

Some obvious statements:

1) We see the glorious work of God at work when we are intentionally small. 

2) Previous generational walk with God is no guarantee of the next. It requires fresh humility and dependence. 

3) Our confidence needs to be in what He wants to establish alone and His ability to do it.

4) God's plan and eternal purposes are so much wider, bigger, more successful than anything we could ever dream up. His plan is for all generations, his perspective is greater. 

We need to scrap our small minded, human driven instincts. 

5) The presence of God at work starts with one of us bowing the knee in true humility, and then a true movement of others that then join into a state of humility, submission and walking with God. 

6) His name alone is in focus and at stake. Nothing else, no one else, no system, movement or structure can share His glory or matters at all. 

7) The mission of God is in no way defined by what we see as our mission. How arrogant, presumptuous and overconfident to assume that our plans are the ones that THE RISEN CHRIST should adopt?

   Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Phil 2:9-12

Good to be home ...where Integrity, character, honesty in relationship is everything.

ACTS 4:13

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, 

and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, 

they were astonished. 

And they recognised that they had

 been with Jesus.

TRUE BOLDNESS FROM LIFE IN THE SPIRIT:  INTEGRITY  AND OBEDIENCE TO THE CALLING, LORDSHIP, KINGDOM, COMMUNITY AND  PLACEMENT IN THE GLOBAL MISSION OF JESUS.

Hi Friends. 

So sorry for the radio silence. After a season of much travel, speaking, preaching and conferences, rest and family,  it has been a season where God has saying so much - I didn't want to mess it up. I have written much but not all will become public. With integrity I can say the silence has not been laziness or neglect but wanting to write the appropriate and helpful thing that I can share from a place of honesty.  

I've often been guilty during times of intensity of rushing out a blog or update trying to prioritise those awaiting news, sign a response to those reading from afar more regularly who deserve more from me. I am too often rushing (to the next project, person, issue or mission trip). You've seen the first drafts and typos and yet somehow you  are so filled with the grace and kindness of Christ that you are up for more. Even more profoundly, your desire to pray for us as a team increases. This is the most encouraging, profound encouragement from God for me personally. I have never been so convinced that what I covet most is your prayer. Thank you for your love and patience.  I know that this is a God dynamic and not manufactured. It certainly doesn't come from my performance (because that has been poor) and so I feel at great liberty to be myself honestly before you. I so appreciate you brothers, sisters, battle friends, warriors of love in a broken world. 

 Firstly I just want to say the deepest most sincere thank you, especially for your prayers. THE LORD is with us. Here is our only confidence. He has answered your / our prayers in wonderful ways. There are seasons of great trial, and intensity of spiritual battle. Times where we are battling for truth over error, times of frontier progress where the enemy hates us and shows it, times of devastating pastoral circumstances as the kingdom advances dramatically through those who lay down everything for the advance of His name. 

I have many weaknesses, failings and short comings. I need your prayers in those times especially when I can't tell you about the battles. I cannot always share details of where we are or how the church is growing where there was none, but more and more this is happening. I always want to know how I can pray for you in life challenges too. Please pray in the times of silence. Please never stop DM because you think I am too busy or too mobile. I pray and ponder your life as I travel. This is a delight for me. I am a man sometimes far away from home, but my safe place is the common unity in The SPIRIT through prayer and life together. I'm so grateful for those I travel with both in person and in spirit. I am so grateful that sometimes what you have shared as deep need has been prayed by churches thousands of miles away  without you knowing it or them knowing all the detail. I recognise this is somewhat strained, but has grown all the stronger through testing. 

 My gifting limitations are painfully obvious, numerous and growing, my consistency to disappoint absolute, my consistency to impress severely limited. The more THE LORD opens up new avenues of mission and ministry to us the more acutely I feel it, but I'm not destroyed :). WHY? Because He is using our weaknesses to depend on Him more, grow closer together as a team and build relationships of honesty, openness and integrity. As we follow His path, we are so encouraged, not by looking in.... but by looking up and around to the One who is altogether beautiful and able, working in and through us. Again let me say how so deeply grateful I am for those around me who know my many failings but love me anyway, and make up for it in manifold measure by their own complementary gifting. Team is beautiful. You show common union to me, you show God at work to me. I'm so profoundly and lovingly grateful. 

The primary and honest reason for radio silence is that God has been saying some profound things. These have come out of times where I've visited so many different contexts recently, but in each group (mission context, conference, informal symposium, fellowship meeting, mission  leadership training or gathering, pastoral visit), certain issues have cropped up about the state of global mission and leadership of the UK, European and US church particularly. I have deeply valued quality fellowship time with older saints especially who have witnessed so much change in the world and church, (not always for the better) whose hearts beat with a greater intensity for Spiritual vitality as they near the end of their race. By God's providence and perfect timing, the encouragement of spending time with others who are inwardly renewed (2 Cor 4:16) and walk in the power of THE SPIRIT is one of the best medicines and tonics for life in a broken world. 

For integrity, helpfulness to the family of Christ / global network church, and sensitivity to The Spirit, I felt drawn to being alone with Him once back at my desk. I needed His word for an extended period, to speak less and listen more to what He was saying through the bible and His people. Every time alone with Him is warmth and beauty. Some times you are left  with a radiating heat to face a cold challenge. Other times however light emerges on issues pondered and meditated on for many years. He never disappoints. 

Having taken stock, percolated and reflected, The LORD has helped put the issues into a hierarchy for which I have a peace before Him. Some issues will never be shared publicly. Some issues i tremble to share publicly but know this is His doing.  One of the questions I got asked in different cultural contexts cropped up repeatedly, with leaders, "retired" pastors, mission workers, and mature believers with a wealth of experience and exposure / service to God's mission. When that happens generally I sense God is speaking and prompting... (we daren't underestimate what God says to us when we meet as the new community for fellowship or prayer regardless of how you interpret (the semantics of) NT prophesy) but this question was particularly striking. It was ...

"why when we get such careful and technically accurate expository preaching in our churches...

do we sense so little of the presence and vitality of God at work by His Spirit?"

On reflection I wondered why this was God's providence to have such a question repeated ? In part I think it was that there are numerous reasons to ponder a multifaceted dynamic. I have over a dozen possible answers to that question all of which I pray are much more light than heat, some of which I will share in coming blogs as appropriate or as helpfully as I can.

 They can all be summarised in one phrase. Relational and Missional INTEGRITY.  

The same Spirit is the one who speaks His word to us,  lives in us, directs and equips  the mission of Christ. I see some disconnect in the way theoretical truth has been separated from relational reality. I have to admit when I stand on the shoulders of older "retired" spiritual leaders than they are right... there are great pockets of His blessing and missional progress, and I do not underestimate the privilege of seeing that elsewhere to keep me going, but we have lost something ... in the UK, in the West, in the missional network of the global church. The picture of spiritual health and advancement, maturity modelled and applied is not widespread, and the decline is more evident because of the isolation of the pockets of blessing. 

For many years I have personally seen a trend drift in what culture defines as  "Spiritual Leadership". I'm so grateful for those who brought me up in the faith, and stressed that integrity is everything. This is biblical foundational wisdom percolated into leadership training, modelled by those who get it and practice it, and don't let you get away with it if you fake it. 

 It has grieved me so much that there has been no recent shortage of stories in the press of Christian leaders who have fallen amidst the exposing of their duplicity before man and God. Sadly given the observed decline this is somewhat inevitable yet it is even possible for us to have some encouragement in this.  He is refining His people to see the issues for what they are. He disciplines His children out of love and for fruitfulness. For too many years trends have been heading the wrong direction. This impacts the health of the church, missional vitality, maturity of believers, strength of unity, what is achieved for the kingdom on a global scale. It is with deep grief I write this to encourage you to pray for the state of the church in the UK, western world, the training of spiritual leaders globally and our impact on kingdom growth. 

I now see such priceless mentors coming to the end of their race, and know that whilst the race has been run so well, the baton has passed irreversibly. It's sobering, humbling but supernaturally by His help affirming and invigorating to run faster by his equipping. The same God of faithful covenant love who helped our forefathers is with us. 

There is no such thing as "a private life" before God. 

When something is not right in the church it can have ripple effects and compound implication across the global missional church. Even if we are the most private, introspective, undemonstrative person in the church, our sin impacts people in community. Our prayers,  our fellowship and missional fruitfulness both locally (and therefore by implication) on the global scale of the mission of God) have been impacted by our walk or stumbling with God. This even more so in the age of global communication and the international village. It is the ultimate outworking of 1 Cor 12:26, the symbiotic relationship of all who are inhabited by the Spirit of God. He is the one whose mastery governs the church, its epoch of mission and the implications of all things including our spiritual health and behaviour. The eternal Lord Christ of all things in (Colossians 1:13-23)  governs us, interweaves us, develops us, grows us for fruitfulness in His purposes on a cosmological scale, through His risen status and victory. The foundation to see that outworked  in our own lives fully  however requires the humble integrity and honesty of us living contentedly, unreservedly and obediently where He has placed us by His will. Our submission to His global mission and glory is key, and not seeking our own kingdom, plan or purpose.  (Phil 2). 

So in faith I follow Jesus
On the road not understood
For I know that He is working
For His glory and my good

To our God be the glory

To our God be praise

He alone, the name above all names

I will boast ever only in the Lord my God
For I know
His glory is my good

One issue that God has REPEATEDLY laid on our hearts as a group of spiritual overseers is the observance of a cultural move away from living a life for an audience of one. We never move past the relational, foundational fact that at the heart of the gospel is the truth  that God knows us, sees our hearts and sees all things as an open book (1 SAM 16:7). Yet as part of the sIn dynamic we express a desire to master our own image and destiny.  We have a bent and perverted preference to try and impress a world which demands us, encourages us, beckons us to impress as many as possible for our own purposes and glory. Of course no one in spiritual oversight would say this is their ambition publicly, it is far more subtle than that, but there are telltale signs which smell of a duplicitous life... which is constantly trying to impress others. Those who are trying to impress are pretty obvious to everyone other than themselves. Sadly some do it way too subtly or forcibly and escape challenge (now at least), which in itself has produced a pervasive spreadinjg culture / kernel attitude which seems to be at the heart of the global decline of God's people as these sinful kingdoms grow. 

Consider these scenarios in the light of ACTS 4:13.

1) A person is appointed to spiritual oversight of any sort because they have natural gifting, and that is valued more highly than integrity, honesty, natural openness and a close walk with Jesus in His word.

2) A person is appointed to spiritual oversight because they seem to have spiritual gifting (they are articulate, "well trained" or "natural" in the pulpit or as a charismatic  / impressive leader of excellent public technique.  I think conversely of Jonathan Edwards or the Apostle Paul who were outwardly unimpressive but spiritually nuclear because their hearts, affections, characters and ambitions were so in tune and at one with Christ. 

3) A person is appointed as unique, or lauded as a great (uniquely gifted) spiritual  leader (or even worse just a great / inspirational leader or people) because it is the name, reputation and impressiveness that a church/ mission network/ seminary, want to project on others, not because it is reality. 

Spiritual leadership begins and ends with relationships, being in tune with THE SPIRIT.

Firstly our relationship with God: If we are habitually breathing in His word, to know Him, (not just about Him) prayerfully humbly accepting Him,  "deeply planted in us" (col 2:7-9) there are so many safeguards in stopping us becoming conceited and believing our own self deceptions of grandeur. He knows the worst about us. He is Lord over us, bigger than us, in charge of the circumstances in which His word comes to us. 

 We are the same person before Him in the pulpit or on the grand stage as we are in the bathroom,  family discussion, web browsing, on our knees crying about the spiritual state of others or ourselves, looking at our bank statement. When we deny the reality  that He knows all (His omniscience) - all of our understanding of God's true character is falsified... including our understanding of His power (omnipotent) His ability to coordinate His global mission and answer prayer. Our God is omnipresent, therefore He knows. Our God is all powerful, therefore we will not outfox him, pull the wool over His gaze, fool circumstance into fitting in with us or His resources into building our kingdom. We must go His way. His is the kingdom. The glory and mission are His not ours.  He disciplines, He loves, He equips, He commands, He speaks. Go His way and know His presence and blessing in His mission, by listening to Him not yourself.

Secondly our relationship with other believers. I know of no healthy/ effective spiritual leader who is not habitually keeping themselves in honest relationships which mentors or trusted ones to discuss their own character. Those who have a group of trusted ministry partners in this way know natural honesty and openness as habitual not extraordinary. The same SPIRIT is living in others who live under His word. 

In our discussion a constant theme repeated about the nature of isolation in ministry came to the surface. The old adage (I think it was Tozer, because so much of what he said sticks with me) that the enemy loves a coal removed out of the fire because it soon loses its warmth. Whether isolation or individualism is self manufactured in protest (I am a product of situation and circumstance)  is irrelevant, it is unbiblical and unhealthy. 

I have met too many pastors who say thinks like..." I don't do friends, I am too busy" or "there's no-one I can really trust to be that open and honest with". I appreciate that this is part of our role as a team presently - it is such an awesome privilege to give this kind of trusted friendship/ ministry / confidentiality to spiritual leaders and mission workers. Sadly there is and no shortage of people to connect with who feel lonely, but in truth there is oftentimes someone they could have connected with other than us however imperfect... God provides. Too many older saints have been sidelined. The sin of our hearts means that we don't prioritise or look for this as we should. That is part of the issue, the fact that our hearts are deceptive and deceitful, tell us what we want to hear. Just because some older saints have disqualified themselves from this role doesn't mean that all of them are unhelpful. 

Being with GOD gives you a love for people (stupid sheep)  if you are truly called to be a shepherd. 

Loving books more than being with people is not a good sign. Loving to live within your own evaluation alone is not a good sign. When pastors say they don't enjoy being with people it is not a good sign. You are called to love and serve people.  Your identity is not defined by your last book, blog, the size of your audience at your last conference address, your YouTube discussion hits, preaching review or staff review, income, book sales or fan comments, it is defined by the reality and dynamics of your life before God, and His evaluation alone is what counts today and for eternity. 

Pretending to be accountable doesn't work before God or people. 

In contemporary culture there is also a lot of false accountability. "I consult my wife" is a common one. Some men have wives who are so brutally honest, that friends only say what their wives have honestly said before... sometimes many times. I put myself in this blessed category. There is a reason that God gave me a lovingly blunt northerner as a lifelong ministry companion, whose pastorally most effective phrases include "get a grip".  This doesn't mean that I don't have others who I am open, honest, and transparent with it just means there are less surprises when they mention the same issue I've heard already. 

Some spiritual leaders have wives  however who are also "in" on the projection game.  Coupled with the desire to project something we are not (ref above "our broken relationship with God") this is downright catastrophic. I have a particular concern when both man and wife are both in public ministry, and the family income is somewhat tied / coupled with this idea of healthy projection (the more we are respected the more books we can sell/ conferences we can speak at/ influence we will have). Such a way of thinking (however subversive and not verbalised) has more to do with humanistic leadership and political influence ( house of cards) than the biblical model for spiritual leadership and fruitfulness. 

I think a lot of these issues of just being honest about who we are,  have fallen into decline in our generation not just because there is an arrogance amongst some than says "I don't need anyone to watch my life with me" but because those who should be acting as mentors, safeguards  and overarching senior overseers (some denominations, mission organisations, seminary or college structures) are placed in position following a life where they too have not been in accountable relationships or fruitful inter-fellowship. 

Authority has become a naught word in our society. Colleges do accept applicants/  prepare people for ministry much more on their ability to pay the fees than the integrity of their life calling than we are ready to admit. Churches do appoint pastors on their natural gifting, qualifications, training  and presentation skills rather than the integrity, transparent honesty, and quality of those they have mentored / built teams with in life on life relationships. Of even greater concern is the appointment of a pastor in line with the Spirits missional call to a context. More of this in another blog. 

I am deeply concerned about the nature of some training in colleges which emphasise biblical correctness over relational accountability and application of spiritual discernment.  Being able to neatly exegete and articulate the scriptures for theoretical correctness in spiritual oversight rather than life on life modelling, compounds the fallout of an individual who then goes into ministry individualistically, hoping the church will serve them rather than being prepared to serve under mutual accountability. The lie is that because they have been through "a good system" and know "good technique" what will emerge will automatically be "good". 

Consequently courses emphasise growing in leadership more than submission to service, technique more than integrity, articulation and presentational skills more than private disciplines.  Our greatest standing and privileges are as adopted children of the Living God. We will never surpass this identity in Him. We live for His pleasure and well done. We preach and lead as treasured failures who model repentance and being forgiven much. We are in honest and transparent team, because we are all in the same boat before God in the middle of the gigantic storm in which HE ALONE IS LORD. Pleasing the one who has given us everything of worth is our only goal. In that respect we live for an audience of one however big the stage, PA system, or numerous the global hits get. Equipping God's people for works of service starts and ends with having our lives model both life and doctrine in open and honest integrity. (1 Tim 4:16)

Diagnosis is a key step but not the final one. We seek not to destroy but to build up, Having diagnosed we pray for redemption and increase in fruitful kingdom impact. We are in a season of discipline. LORD help us humble ourselves before you. Give us honest hearts, in churches, leaders, mentors, mission networks, national and international spiritual leaders. May your name be honoured and not that of any human institution or God forbid any individual who promotes themselves or name in ministry. Bring us back to the proclamation of your truth, gospel, welcome, grace, character through lives which are saturated by you and surrendered unreservedly to you.  Intertwine us in unity for yourself. Be our Lord not just our Saviour. In this may we move, you live LORD and have your way, speak and come with power.