I was glad to read the story about Senate Chaplain Barry Black's ministry on Capitol Hill ("God's Embassador," November/December), by Matthew Green. How different his insights were from the political picture the secular media often portrays!
Dan Gibson
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Public Prophets

I enjoyed Cindy Jacobs' article "In the King's Ear" (November/December). It's about time we started understanding the need for prophetic ministry outside the confines of utterances in church services and prayer meetings.
Tanya Walker
via e-mail

Decoding Disasters

I appreciated Matthew Green's column ("Birth Pangs") in the November/December issue of Ministries Today. He dealt with a difficult subject in a very thoughtful way.
L. Hatfield
via e-mail

Matthew Green was right on target with his comments in "Birth Pangs." I believe that God wants to prosper and bless His people, but I too think we need a little more theological balance in the charismatic movement.
Gene A. Gregg
Tulsa, Oklahoma

I really enjoyed the November/ December issue of Ministries Today. Matthew Green's editorial was the highlight of the magazine this time. Christ is Lord of creation, and land and sea. Satan is not the lord of hurricanes. God is mercifully shaking our world out of sin-imposed slumber in preparation for the "great day." And some are heeding His call.
Dane Gressett, pastor
Firstfruits Christian Fellowship
Gorman, Texas

EDITOR'S NOTE: This column was "birthed" when readers responded to an article on this topic featured in the Ministries Today Update, a free, bi-weekly e-newsletter that offers sermon illustrations, newsclips and reflections on ministry. To subscribe, visit www.ministriestoday.com, and click on "Inter@ctive" and "eNewsletters."

Biblically Unrooted?

In the article "The Denomination Debate" (September/October), by Matthew Green, Ron Carpenter is quoted as saying, "Pentecostals are biblically rooted enough that if you open the Word and explain these new ideas, they will accept them."

Amazingly, in the entire above mentioned article, the Word is not opened even once, and nothing whatsoever is explained by appealing to scriptural principle or practice. Had this been done, it would have been found that apostolic networks are just as unbiblical as denominations are.

Paul did not lead an apostolic network. He corresponded with infant churches he himself started but did not organize them into anything resembling "apostolic networks."
Maurice L. Fuller
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Hazardous Exit?

I enjoyed the article "Exit Plan" by Steve Hickey in the September/October issue and found it insightful. It seemed to assume, however, that most of the "exiting" and pain would be experienced by those leaving denominations. I wanted to point out that being called out of an apostolic movement may be even more difficult since they are relationally based, and sometimes have a covenant relationship theology which significantly raises the stakes. Rarely have I ever seen this go smoothly and dread such a day myself.
Will Riddle
Burlington, Massachusetts

I spent 25 years in a denomination. Then, God distinctly said it was time to move on. If you are going to separate, do it the right way. It will seem hard to go it on your own, but you'll find you are not really on your own if you followed Him. You must have faith in doing what God has called you to do, but there will be battles that you will have to resolve.
Randy51
from Online Pastors' Forum

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