Judge a group by its fruit, not its critics.
8:00PM EDT 6/30/2005

When it comes to talking with my friends in the Word-Faith movement, I'll take dialogue over diatribe any day.
8:00PM EDT 6/30/2005

Culture, methods and technology change. Here are 10 principles for building a ministry that will leave eternal results.
8:00PM EDT 4/30/2005

If the Holy Spirit truly showed up in our churches, would we be able to discern the difference between the real and the counterfeit?
8:00PM EDT 4/30/2005

Let's stop bickering about terminology and pursue a common goal: bringing seekers--and non-seekers--into the kingdom.
7:00PM EST 2/28/2005

Beware the habits of moral compromise that steal the approval of God—and the credibility of men and women.
7:00PM EST 2/28/2005

It's time we stopped believing the exaggerated predictions of the death of denominations.
7:00PM EST 12/31/2004

My time with Oral Roberts reminded me of a preaching topic I've been sadly neglecting: the return of Christ.
7:00PM EST 12/31/2004

Character and servanthood--not accomplishments--are the primary marks of authentic apostles.
7:00PM EST 10/31/2004

True apostleship is not a matter of aspiration but of obedience.

---

Who in the world would ever want to be an apostle? Lest we think it an avenue of worldly advancement, let's ponder the plight foretold by Jesus for apostles: at best, persecution; at worst, death (see Luke 11:49; Matt. 10:17).

Lest we think it a role reserved for the intellectually or spiritually superior, let's recall how Matthew was chosen: with a pair of dice (see Acts 1:26).

Lest we think it a path to the finer things in life, let's remember Paul's station: "hungry ... thirsty ... in rags ... homeless ..." (1 Cor 4:11, NIV).

No, apostleship is not a matter of aspiration but of obedience. It's a divine call that often comes unexpectedly upon those whom God chooses--not necessarily those who would appear to have all the talent, charisma and spiritual power needed to fill the shoes of an apostle.

Sure, apostles are those who have made themselves available for the purposes of God, and they are often gifted with passion and skills fitting their callings. But most ultimately find themselves dumbfounded by the ways in which He ends up using them in His kingdom.

I must confess that I've been dubious about the existence of modern-day apostles. Like C. Peter Wagner, I'm no fan of the self-appointed ones. And I'm not sure whether I like using the title as a form of address. (As a second-generation Pentecostal, "brother" or "sister" works just fine for me.)

But my skeptical leanings were cured by talking to Samuel Lee and Kayy Gordon and reading about Zhang Rongliang in preparation for "Apostles Among Us".

Each of these are consumed with the desire to see others pick up the baton of ministry and go further than they have. And they are too busy equipping pastors and strategizing how to reach nations to worry about titles.

The "apostle debate" is not over yet: Will denominations seek to encourage apostolic church-planting and mentorship models that are bearing so much fruit in the non-Western world?

Will apostolic networks address the concerns of accountability and sound theology--all while warding off the trend toward institutionalism that threatens historic denominations?

Both must avoid the triumphalistic notion that God works through only one type of church structure and accept the fact that ecclesiastical governments are only temporary. They exist for the sake of the church's function, which is to equip the saints--until Jesus returns.

As you read this issue of Ministries Today, I hope you'll find--like I did--that wherever God is building His church, apostles are laying the foundation.

The titles they wear may differ with the expressions of time and culture, but their function is the same: plant congregations, equip leaders, confront demonic powers and marshal resources for kingdom purposes.

Even the crustiest of skeptics would agree.

---

Matthew Green is managing editor of Ministries Today. He invites your comments and questions at [email protected]. 7:00PM EST 10/31/2004

Church leaders are called to encourage--and shepherd--the bittersweet gift of prophecy.
8:00PM EDT 8/31/2004

Prophecy is God's way of giving us a second chance to listen and obey.

---

Prophets bug me. I think they're supposed to. I'm not usually patient enough to pursue what Mike Bickle calls the "horrible" task of discernment. Like an irritable judge, I prefer to bang my gavel and pronounce bogus any prophecy I can't get my arms around.

The funny thing is, I have no aversion to digging out a commentary and poring over a lexicon to determine what Ezekiel and Zechariah were saying in their sometimes-enigmatic prophecies.

Now, I would never suggest that the words of modern-day prophets should be handled with the same reverence as the oracles of biblical prophets that have found a place in the canon.

But, any time God speaks--or we think He may be speaking--we should listen up, discern and apply what we hear ... whether He chooses to speak through the pages of Scripture, the lips of a prophet or the mouth of an ornery donkey.

Why? Because when the God of the universe speaks to His creation through prophecy, it is an act of great mercy--especially since He has already spoken in Scripture.

Some may say that God has said all He ever needed to say in His written Word. They're right. But more than bringing new revelation, prophecy is often most valuable when it reminds God's people of what He has already said. Consider the warnings and judgments of the major and minor prophets, which ultimately have their foundation in the covenant stipulations of Deuteronomy.

The two most prolific authors of Scripture, Moses and Paul, both lamented not the abundance of prophecy but its dearth.

Several Israelites came to Moses complaining about the spontaneous outbursts of unexpected prophets Eldad and Medad, and Moses replied, "'I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!'" (Num. 11:29, NIV).

Paul echoed Moses' sentiments when he said, "I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy" (1 Cor. 14:5).

This enthusiasm for the prophetic was not born out of inexperience. Both Moses and Paul were aware of the controversy that prophecy would bring the people of God. But they were more concerned about the spiritual famine Amos speaks of--"a famine of hearing the words of the Lord" (see Amos 8:11).

Sure, God doesn't have to send us prophets, but isn't it just like Him to give us a second chance to listen and obey?

As you read this issue of Ministries Today, I pray that you'll be challenged to embrace prophetic ministry. Fraudulent prophets will always be with us, as will sneaky evangelists, abusive pastors, heretical teachers and power-hungry apostles.

But, if we allow our fear of the counterfeit to shake our faith in the authentic, we may miss out on hearing God speak.

---

Matthew Green is managing editor of Ministries Today. He invites your comments and questions at [email protected]. 8:00PM EDT 8/31/2004

The perils of this present age demand of us a decisive move to intercession and action.
8:00PM EDT 6/30/2004

From a biblical perspective, a pastor's salary is to be recognized as a means to an end--unencumbered ministry.
8:00PM EDT 4/30/2004

We need more pastors like Tommy Barnett--engaged with things that matter.

---

NOTE FROM STEPHEN STRANG:
Our associate editor, Matthew Green, formerly served as an associate pastor. It seemed fitting to me that he write the editorial for our fivefold emphasis on pastoring. Read and be challenged!

---

I've worked with pastors whose skills and professionalism could have landed them high-paying jobs in the business world, and I've served others whose gifts were better suited for the Teamsters' union. Tommy Barnett, whom I had the privilege of interviewing for this issue (see "Dream Weaver," page 38), belongs in the first group.

Pastors of large churches like Phoenix First Assembly aren't entrusted with their burgeoning flocks just because of an ability to manage programs and invent new church- growth schemes. God has seen fit to bless their ministries because He has created them with gifts tailor-made for their unique situations.

From my brief time with Pastor Barnett, here are a few observations of the types of people that God often calls to fulfill the ministry of the shepherd:

Simplicity: While the world may extol the virtues of a complex person able to weigh options, calculate risk and analyze potential, a good pastor keeps it simple: "Preach the Word, and love people," my father--himself a pastor--once advised me.

It's not that a pastor is disengaged from the complexities of life, but he or she has the ability to immediately sift through challenging enigmas, separating the eternal from the temporary. It's no wonder that the effective ministry of a pastor surrounds the three things that are anything but temporary: God, His Word and people.

Focus: Successful pastors like Tommy Barnett have the uncanny ability to focus--not just on the lofty goals that keep them in the prayer closet and the board room, but also on the individuals who sit in their offices seeking counsel.

When you're in a room talking with Pastor Barnett, you and he are the only ones there. Not that this comes naturally. If anything, the gift of focus is one that must be honed and practiced, as one's ministry grows and one's sphere of influence broadens.

Dependency: Once again, this is not a sought-after quality, but without it a pastor will become a smoldering wick in a matter of years. Leaders like Tommy Barnett constantly extol the value of those whom they lead, recognizing that their effectiveness is contingent on the partnership of those who share their visions. They have learned to depend on God--and others.

Good pastors revel in the productive service of those whom they lead--even when it has the potential of eclipsing their own ministries. Unthreatened, they recognize this for what it truly is: an indication of their own fruitfulness.

May God raise up more pastors like Tommy Barnett--simply engaged with the things that matter, focused on God and His people and willing to take the risk of dependence.

---

Matthew Green is associate editor of Ministries Today. He invites your comments and questions at [email protected]. 8:00PM EDT 4/30/2004

How to have a lifelong ministry without losing your credibility.
7:00PM EST 1/6/2004

Brokenness, not brilliance, is what the Father seeks from worshipers.
8:00PM EDT 8/31/2003

To isolate doubt and release faith, church leaders need to dissolve superstitions about divine sovereignty that people inherit from culture and religious traditions.
8:00PM EDT 6/30/2003

Are you looking for ways to maximize your leadership potential? The true leader's 'edge' is found in pursuing the disciplined life.
8:00PM EDT 4/30/2003

Recent 'inclusivist' notions remind us of ultimate issues of accountability.
7:00PM EST 2/28/2003