Check out some links below to recent stories from Charisma News that you'll find interesting and informative. You can also sign up to receive stories on your smart phone by signing up for the free app Charisma News by clicking here.
Americans nationwide marked the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks this past weekend with public prayer gatherings and memorial services. It was a time to solemnly reflect on the most tragic public event of our lifetime.
To commemorate the 9/11 anniversary, we recently released the digital book version of The Harbinger, which pairs prophecy with current events.
Written by Jonathan Cahn, president of Hope of the World ministries and senior pastor and Messianic rabbi of the Jerusalem Center/Beth Israel in Wayne, N.J., The Harbinger paints a fictional narrative of the downfall of present-day America that mirrors the demise of ancient Israel foretold in an Old Testament passage.
Published by our Charisma House book imprint, The Harbinger is a prophetic message that I believe is a wake-up call concerning America, the world and the future. The book is presented in a unique format that combines true biblical prophecy with real historical fact.
The message behind The Harbinger initially came from a sermon Cahn delivered to his congregation based on Is. 9 that uncannily paralleled real-life events.
It's one of the most fascinating and thought-provoking books I've read in a while, and I believe that you'll also find it intriguing.
A paperback edition of the book will follow Jan. 3, 2012, but you can get the e-book version for your Amazon Kindle by clicking here or for your Barnes & Noble's Nook by clicking here.
You can also click here for more information on The Harbinger and here to read chapter 1.
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The September-October issue of Ministry Today with Dr. Mark Rutland, president of Oral Roberts University, as the guest editor, is now available.
It's a terrific issue, and I believe you'll get a lot from it. Dr. Rutland's "Principles for Leading a Turnaround" cover story is particularly insightful. Click here to read it.
Click here to subscribe to Ministry Today, so you won't miss reading about some of the most influential and impactful ministries in the world.
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I'm writing this from the latest session of Dr. Mark Rutland's National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL). We're excited to partner with the NICL, which is an intense training and learning experience.
The leadership training has benefited many pastors and ministry leaders. Click here to watch videos of their testimonies and here to hear Dr. Rutland's heart for the NICL.
The next session (Turning the Ship: Strategic Leadership for Growth) is to be held Nov. 7-9 at Strang Center in Lake Mary, Fla., located near Orlando, and the headquarters of Ministry Today.
You can also plan to attend the four sessions of the NICL in 2012: Feb. 6-8 (Leadership Management); March 26-28 (Staff & Volunteers: Building, Directing & Leading for Quality); and Sept. 10-12 (Preaching & Worship: Excellence in Expression).
"This is not just a two-day event," said Rutland, who has more than 30 years of business and ministry experience, offers leadership training that will positively impact your congregation and community. "It's a life-expanding and leadership-expanding process spaced over the span of a year to transform you and encourage you to get back into the flow of higher education."
Several universities recognize Rutland's leadership training. By completing the four-session course, you can earn college credit towards your degree.
For more information on the NICL, contact Daniel Prince at daniel.prince@charismamedia.com, call him at 407-333-7106 or click here.
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Is God leading you to start a bookstore in your church? Learn how to launch and operate a church bookstore by attending Retailing ReBoot West, to be held Oct. 17-18 at Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos, Calif. For more information, contact Derek Bjork at derek.bjork@charismamedia.com, call him at 407-333-0600 ext. 2283 or click here.
Offering gospel merchandise to the local community is a unique outreach ministry, according to Norman Leve Jr., the senior pastor at New Life Christian Church Newtown, Pa., a congregation he founded in 1993. A graduate of Asbury Seminary and Drew University, Leve pastored a Methodist church for 17 years. He originally wrote the article below for The Church Bookstore magazine.
During my early years in the ministry, I had visions of where I wanted my church to go. I wanted to minister to the community by offering a Christian preschool and also a K-12 academy, if possible. Everyone seemed to like that idea.
However, I had another vision—one that wasn't as popular. I wanted a Christian bookstore in our church. Not a book table—a bookstore.
I believed that a bookstore would be a dynamic ministry in the church and a unique outreach to the community.
Not everyone agreed. They questioned whether going into the retail business was a biblical choice.
What about Jesus overthrowing the moneychangers' tables in the temple courtyard and proclaiming, "My house will be called a house of prayer...but you have made it a den of robbers" (Matt. 21:13b, NIV)? Clearly, the church is no place to be selling things.
A small book table in the lobby with some devotional booklets might be okay. Maybe a few inexpensive Bibles or crosses could be offered, but no more.
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Check out some links below to recent 9-11 stories from Charisma News that you'll find interesting and informative. You can also sign up to receive stories on your smart phone by signing up for the free app Charisma News by clicking here.
The newest issue of Ministry Today for September-October with Dr. Mark Rutland, president of Oral Roberts University, as the guest editor, is now available.
It's a great issue, and I believe you'll get a "wow" from it. In addition to the insightful articles that you'll receive in the issue, I want to remind you about our partnership with Dr. Rutland on the National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL). The next session will be held Sept. 12-14 in Tulsa, Okla. If you register, you can bring your music minister, worship leader or another staff member to the Preaching & Worship session for a special price. We're excited to be part of the NICL, which is an intense training and learning experience.
The leadership training has benefited many pastors and ministry leaders. "I've been to a lot of conferences on leadership," said Lonny Robbins, senior pastor of Trinity Fellowship Church in Pampa, Texas. "I would have to say that the National Institute of Christian Leadership ranks as the best I've been a part of simply because Dr. Rutland not only meshes theory, but he puts practical application to the training."
Paul Bryan, senior pastor of Lighthouse Christian Center in Deland, Fla., added: "Every Christian leader in America must take this training if they are serious about making a significant impact in the kingdom. If I had this training a year into being a senior pastor, I would have avoided many heartaches and mistakes that have cost both time and money."
There are four NICL sessions next year. Seating is limited, so registering early ensures more interaction and personal attention. Start as early as next month or attend the first NICL session of 2012 in February. Ask us about college credit, how spouses can attend at no charge, Early Bird and group discounts.
For more information on the National Institute of Christian Leadership, contact Daniel Prince at daniel.prince@charismamedia.com, call him at 407-333-7106 or click here.
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Did you miss our recent conference call with The Call Founder Lou Engle? You can listen to our intriguing conversation with this powerful prayer leader by clicking here.
A senior leader of the International House of Prayer (IHOP-KC) in Kansas City, Mo., Lou came to prominence after launching The Call, which has drawn crowds of more than 100,000 to its 12-hour prayer rallies for breakthrough and revival.
During the conference call, Lou talked about The Call Detroit in November, the state of affairs in the United States and his part in The Response—the prayer and fasting assembly in Houston that drew media attention earlier this month. If you missed the report in Charisma News, click here.
Click here to read Lou's article on God's plans for victorious spiritual battle in the July/August issue of Ministry Today, now available.
Click here to subscribe to Ministry Today, so you can read about some of the most influential and impactful ministries in the world.
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Below are links to some of the early news stories on the death at age 42 of Zachery Tims. As I write this, we don't yet know the cause of death, but the secular media has reported that an envelope with white powder was found on his body. Zachery had a wonderful testimony of how God changed his life—which we published in a book, It's Never Too Late, which is no longer in print, and we featured him in Charisma. However, he never totally beat the demons that haunted him. I know that because of personal conversations I had with him after he went through a very messy divorce resulting from his admitted infidelity.
I personally reached out to him. I know many others did. I included him in meetings with Jack Hayford and others as a way of trying to network him with other leading pastors, knowing he was vulnerable. There was a wonderful, warm, loving side to him and that is what drew people to him as a leader. But there apparently was a dark side few knew. I don't want to speculate more than that, but as the story unfolds we will report it online and in print.
Lee Grady has written an excellent column called "What We Must Learn from the Zachery Tims Tragedy," which I urge you to read. Click here to read the column.
I recently got this email from an Ministry21 Network member, Faith Frederick. With her permission, I'm reprinting it below because she voices the heart cry of why we created this relational network. Meanwhile, if you harbor a dark side, I appeal to you to get help before it's too late. Whether it's through M21 or not, please get help.
Dear Steve:
In light of the recent news about Zachery Tims, I just want to say how I appreciate what you are doing through Ministry21 Network. I pray there would be someway that more pastors would participate. If there is anything that I can do please let me know. My heart is grieved because as we look at so many in ministry today, the values that we were raised with seem to be forgotten. I just wanted to reach out and say that as you are faithful to proclaim the message of integrity may God richly bless you and Joy.
Dr. Faith Fredric, co-founder and president of Faith Christian University in Orlando, Fla.
Click here to read some of the testimonials about Ministry21 Network, and here to find out how you can be part of this exciting network.
Check out some links below to recent stories from Charisma News that you'll find interesting and informative. You can also sign up to receive stories on your smart phone by signing up for the free app Charisma News by clicking here.
This month our Ministry 21 conference call is with Lou Engle. Join us for an hour of interesting conversation with the founder of The Call on Tuesday, Aug. 23, at 4 p.m. EDT, 3 p.m. CDT, 2 p.m. MDT and 1 p.m. PDT.
Share this with your friends. We are widely publicizing it, and we expect a lot of people on the call. Here is the call information: Dial-in number (712) 432-1001; access code: 421366275#.
A senior leader of the International House of Prayer (IHOP-KC) in Kansas City, Mo., Lou came to prominence after launching The Call, which has drawn crowds of more than 100,000 to its 12-hour prayer rallies for breakthrough and revival.
Listen in as we to talk Lou about his ministry, the state of affairs in the United States and his part in The Response—the prayer and fasting assembly in Houston that drew media attention earlier this month. If you missed the report in Charisma News, click here.
Click here to read Lou's article on God's plans for victorious spiritual battle in the July/August issue of Ministry Today, now available.
Click here to subscribe to Ministry Today, so you won't miss reading about some of the most influential and impactful ministries in the world.
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We've finalized the next issue of Ministry Today for September-October with Dr. Mark Rutland, president of Oral Roberts University, as the guest editor.
It's an excellent issue, and you won't want to miss it. Besides the information that you'll get in the issue, I want to call your attention to our partnership with Dr. Rutland on the National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL). The next session is to be held Sept. 12-14 in Tulsa, Okla. If you register, you can bring your music minister, worship leader or another staff member to the Preaching & Worship session for a special price. We're thrilled to be part of the NICL, which is an intense training and learning experience.
The leadership training has impacted many pastors and ministry leaders. "There's so much great information, and my life and ministry have been blessed by it," said Daniel Kolenda, president and CEO of Christ for All Nations. "I want to encourage everyone out there who has a desire to learn more, to grow in leadership, to grow in ministry and plug into the National Institute of Christian Leadership because it will enrich your ministry, enrich your business and enrich your life."
Justin Senesi, senior pastor of New Life Community Church in Rathdrum, Ind., added: "The National Institute of Christian Leadership has helped me as a young pastor to know that I'm going the right way. I'm surrounded by people who have done this before. They are a great resource to help me be successful moving forward to see our church accomplish all that God has for us."
There are four NICL sessions per year. Seating is limited, so registering early ensures more interaction and personal attention. Start as early as next month or attend the first NICL session of 2012 in February. Ask us about college credit, how spouses can attend at no charge, Early Bird and group discounts.
For more information on the National Institute of Christian Leadership, contact Daniel Prince at daniel.prince@charismamedia.com, call him at 407-333-7106 or click here.
Known for his remarkable ability to turnaround struggling organizations, Dr. Rutland is often sought after for leadership training and has written several books published by Charisma House and Creation House, including Hanging by a Thread; Nevertheless; Dream; Power; Holiness; Resurrection; Most Likely to Succeed; and Character Matters.
Click here to read a free chapter on "loyalty" from Character Matters, which Dr. Rutland says is one of his best.
You can also listen to a previous conference call of Dr. Rutland with Ministry 21 Network by clicking here.
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When I felt led to start a small church magazine, I barely knew what God had in store. That magazine released 36 years ago, so I thought it was appropriate to reflect on what's happened, and more importantly what is on the verge of happening as we move boldly into the digital world.
Many of you know Charisma started at a megachurch in central Florida. I was working full time as a newspaper reporter then. My, how the media world has changed! The staff found a black-and-white photo of me holding a copy of The Rock, a youth newspaper that I published before Charisma. They had me hold an iPad to show the contrast. Back then I could have never imagined today's iPad! Yet I dreamed that maybe somehow we'd reach a million people. Do you know how many trees you'd have to cut down to print that many magazines?
So from 1975—before the personal computer was invented and a time when the electric typewriter I used was considered high-tech—fast-forward more than three decades and now Charisma (and our other magazines) are available in digital format that's almost beyond belief.
This is your invitation to be a charter subscriber to Charisma Digital. In mid-September it's available on the iPad; in mid-October it's on the Android. About the same time it will be available as single issues on the Nook and Kindle.
Offering gospel merchandise to the local community is an effective outreach ministry. Learn how to start and operate a church bookstore by attending Retailing ReBoot West, to be held Oct. 17-18 at Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos, Calif. For more information, contact Derek Bjork at derek.bjork@charismamedia.com, call him at 407-333-0600 ext. 2283 or click here.
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Check some links below to recent stories from Charisma News that we felt you'll find interesting and informative. You can also sign up to receive stories on your smart phone by signing up for the free app Charisma News by clicking here.
We're finalizing the next issue of Ministry Today for September-October with Dr. Mark Rutland, president of Oral Roberts University (ORU), as the guest editor.
It's a fantastic issue, and you won't want to miss it. In addition to the information that you'll get in the issue, I want to call your attention to our partnership with Dr. Rutland on the National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL). The next seesion is to be held Sept. 12-14 in Tulsa, Okla. If you register, you can bring your music minister, worship leader or another staff member to the Preaching & Worship session for a special price. We're excited about the NICL, which is an intense training and learning experience.
For more information on the National Institute of Christian Leadership, contact Daniel Prince at daniel.prince@charismamedia.com, call him at 407-333-7106 or click here.
read more
At one of the earlier National Institute of Christian Leadership sessions, Dr. Rutland mentioned that one of his favorite books is Character Matters, which I had the privilege of publishing in 2003. I felt that you would enjoy reading an excerpt below from the book's chapter on loyalty. It's that good.
"Loyalty is the willingness, because of relational commitment, to deflect praise, admiration and success onto another," Dr. Rutland wrote. "This loyalty may well be at great personal expense, but it will edify and bless its object. Loyalty never usurps authority. It refuses to accept inappropriate love or praise that might properly exalt another. Loyalty is the glue that holds relationships together, makes families functional and armies victorious. Loyalty is the fabric of society.
"Without loyalty, no enlisted man can dare to hope that his general cares whether he lives or dies, and no captain can expect an inconvenient order to be obeyed," he continued. "Without loyalty, marriage becomes a competitive minefield, companies become dangerously paranoid, and ruthless power politics will turn bishops into Machiavellian princes. Loyalty is the basic element that validates and cements relationships. If husbands are disloyal to their wives, if children are disloyal to their parents, parents to children, employees to employers, there is no secure relationship, and the fabric of community soon unravels."
Did you miss our recent conference call with Mike Bickle? You can listen to our interesting conversation with this respected prayer leader by clicking here.
The founder and director of the International House of Prayer (IHOP-KC) in Kansas City, Mo., Mike is the guest editor of the July/August issue of Ministry Today, now available.
Click here to read Mike's article on seven characteristics of the end-time prayer and worship movement. You can also click here and here for free resources on prayer.
Click here to subscribe to Ministry Today, so you can read about some of the most influential and impactful ministries in the world.
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I just got back from Washington, D.C., after attending Christians United for Israel's (CUFI) Washington Summit, and it was very good as usual. My favorite was hearing conservative radio and television personality Glenn Beck. If you missed my CUFI report in Charisma News, click here.
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Below are some links to recent stories from Charisma News that we felt you'll find interesting and informative. You can also sign up to receive stories on your smart phone by signing up for the free app Charisma News by clicking here.
