Transcript Developing Prophetic Ministry - Abundant Life Christian Center

Developing
Prophetic Ministry
The nature of prophecy
de*vel*op
n
n
n
n
n
n
1. to change, or cause to change and become larger,
stronger and more impressive, successful or advanced
2. to arise and then increase or progress to a more
complex state
3. to aquire a feature or habit, that then becomes
more marked and extreme
4. to add details to a basic plan or idea
5. to become apparent and thus resolve a question or
clarify a situation
6.
to present the sequential events or successive
stages of a story, or to have such events or stages
revealed
Why Prophecy?
Surely the Lord Jehovah will do
nothing, except he reveal his
secret unto his servants the
prophets. The lion hath roared;
who will not fear? The Lord
Jehovah hath spoken; who can
but prophesy?
Amos 3:7-8
What is Prophecy
Foretelling (to make known before the time)
 Forth telling (to make clear or plain)
 Functional Gifts
 A spiritual gift (operational)
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
A
motivational gift (offering)

A
I Corinthians 12,14
Romans 12
leadership gift (office)

Ephesians 4:11
What Does Prophecy Do?
But he who prophesies speaks to men words of edification,
encouragement and comfort… he who prophesies does
good to the Church.
1 Corinthians 14:3-4
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Three Prophetic Functions
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builds up - Edification
bucks up - Exhortation
binds up - Comfort
Notice the direction?
What Does Prophecy Do?
Resource for Living
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Prophecy creates order from chaos
– Genesis 1
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Prophecy produces faith foundations
– Romans 10:7
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Prophecy releases a destiny with hope
– Psalm 130:5
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Prophecy provides fighting tools
– 1 Timothy 1:18
What Does Prophecy Do?
Encourages believers

en·cour·age
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to give somebody hope, confidence, or courage
to urge somebody in a helpful way to do or be
something
to assist something to occur or increase
Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of compassions, and God of all
encouragement; who encourages us in all our
tribulation, that we may be able to others who are in any
tribulation whatever, through the encouragement with
which we ourselves are encouraged of God
2 corinthians 1:2
The Prevailing
Spirit of Prophecy
We are being conformed to the nature
of the Holy Spirit who works in us
 Paraclete: one called along side to help
 We have been given the ministry of
reconciliation, God in us reconciling all
men to Him.
 GOOD News! (Gospel)
 This is the Day (season) Ps 118:24
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I will rejoice and be glad in it!
When is Prophecy Appropriate?
When potential exceeds reality
 When clarity would be fruitful
 When light and truth are dawning
 When destiny is unfolding
 When God’s enemies are stirred
 When release is imminent
 When radical obedience is required

Our Desire:
“I wish that
ALL GOD”S PEOPLE
were prophets,
and that the Lord
would
put His Spirit on them!”
Numbers 11:29
Covet earnestly the best
Our Desire:
gifts…especially that you
may prophesy”
1 Corinthians 14:1
“All may prophesy…”
1 Corinthians 14:31
Prophetic Ministry
Old Covenant
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Word Rare
Hand “Rested” on
Select Vessels
Directive/Corrective
Primarily Informational
Under Law
Judgment on False
Prophetic Words
New Covenant
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All May Prophesy
Spirit Potentially Resides
in All
Spirit Will Guide All
Primarily Confirmational
Under Grace
Discernment of All
Prophetic Words
Old testament prophets were most like New Testament office
prophets, rather than those simply used in the gift of prophecy.
Criteria for Judging Prophecy
Fruit

Prophecy is judged by the fruit it produces

Deuteronomy 13:1-5
Loving God
 Walk after Him
 Fear of God
 Keep His commandments
 Produces Obedience
 Releases Service to God
 Creates a supernatural bond

Criteria for Judging Prophecy
Testimony
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The testimony of Jesus
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Revelation 19:10
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the
spirits, whether they are of God…By this you
know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that
confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the
flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not
confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh
is not of God
1 John 4:1-2
Criteria for Judging Prophecy
Harmony with Scripture

For prophecy never came by the will of man, but
holy men of God spoke as they were moved by
the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:21
 What
God has said he will not contradict
 God will fulfill, supercede, complete
 Three levels of biblical agreement/conflict
 Biblical
(Agreement/Encouragement)
 Anti-Biblical (Rejection/Condemnation)
 Extra-Biblical (Harmony/Resonance)
Criteria for Judging Prophecy
Fulfillment

‘How shall we know the word which the Lord
has not spoken?’ When a prophet speaks in the
name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen
or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord
has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it
presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
Deut. 18:22
Criteria for Judging Prophecy
Liberty
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit
of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2 Corinthians 3:17
 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage
again to fear, but you received the Spirit of
adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God, and if children, then
heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if
indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be
glorified together. Romans 8:15-17
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Criteria for Judging Prophecy
Transformation

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a
mirror the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed into the same image from glory to
glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord
2 Corinthians 3:18
Criteria for Judging Prophecy
Four Validation Factors
A “Word” is Validated by:
 The “He” Factor
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Does it draw us to Jesus and make us like Him
 The
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Is this in agreement with the Word’s authors
 The
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“Us” Factor
Accountability to the local congregation
 The
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“They” factor
“Rest” Factor
Quietness and restfulness with the Spirit
Developing
Prophetic Ministry
The Care and Feeding of Prophetic
Individuals
Nature of the PGI
(Prophetically gifted individual)
Loves truth (intensely)
 Loves others deeply
 Understands others insightfully
 Sees and loves contrasts
 Would rather be rejected than wrong
 Constant revelation/information
 Have an eternal perspective

How PGI’s are Misunderstood
 Love
of truth may be perceived as
judgmental
 Intense Love requires truth telling,
perceived as harsh
 Assumes others understand him/her in the
same way he/she understands them
 Loving black/white contrasts seems
intolerant or unmerciful
How PGI’s are Misunderstood
Often has learned to survive “outside”
 John the Baptist
 Constant revelation may be painful,
perceived as moody
 Their ‘timewarp’ is perceived as weirdness
 Others…..
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PGI’s Must Have Proper Focus
“I AM” focus vs. I focus
 Gift and calling requires future focus
 Past successes and failures must be kept in
the past
 Grace-based vs. Gift-based self image
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We are rooted in what God says rather than on
what we have or do
Must convince others of who He is, not who
we are
PGI’s Need
Lots of Understanding
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They perceive isolation as preferable to rejection
Isolation is still painful
Caves are more comfortable than crowds
Prophets need covering
Release is difficult (words are like their babies)
Feedback. They need to know others get it!
Thrive on truth-telling
Need to be reminded to lighten up and have fun
PGI’s Need a
Safe Environment
Not designed to operate in a vacuum
 One is to prophesy, others are to judge
 No One on One prophecy,
Seems safer, but not scriptural
 Connected in five fold ministry
 Submission shares responsibility
 Accountability affords flexibility
 Creativity flourishes in this environment
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Four Reasons Prophets are
Extremely Powerful
They are gifted with strong character
 They have deep insight
 They have a mantle of authority
 Their words bear weight

Four Reasons Prophets are
Extremely Dangerous
They are gifted with strong character
 They have deep insight
 They have a mantle of authority
 Their words bear weight
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Developing
Prophetic Ministry
pitfalls inherent to prophecy
Why NOT Prophecy?
Despise not prophesying…
-Paul-
Prophecy has been (can be) messy
 Prophets can be difficult to understand
 Powerful potential for good or evil
 Theological misinterpretations
 Lack of accountability and balance
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Processing Revelation
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Write it out . Document the details
 Ask questions If H.S. is talking, He’ll answer
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Go to intercession, bind & loose
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Pray the answer, not the problem
Pray and listen for interpretation
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What is literal? Symbolic?
One has a tongue, one… a revelation …an
interpretation
Check it with seasoned leaders
Ask for permission/timing/strategy
Habakuk 2:2-3
Write the vision, make it plain apon the tablets
that he may run that readeth it for the vision is
for an appointed time. But at the end it shall
speak and lie not. Though it tarry wait for it
because it will come. It will not tarry.
Understanding
Second Heaven Revelation
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Jewish concept: Seven levels of heavens,
for our discussion, we will use three
 Natural heavens;
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Stars, clouds, air, that which is seen
 Second
heaven;
 Schemes,
attacks, demonic/angelic
warfare
 Third
heaven;
 Thrones,
Elders, Intercessions, Divine rule
Understanding
Second Heaven Revelation
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Scriptural example: Jesus and Peter
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We are not ignorant of the enemies’ schemes
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“Satan has desired to sift you like wheat…”
Word of the Lord, or simple revelation?
God’s promise is that this information would be granted
Though we may have access to 2nd heaven,
we have only limited authority from God
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Jude’s report on Gabriel’s interaction
Needless Casualties of War (Jackson)
Proclaiming (prophesying)
Second Heaven Revelation
Gives permission, guidance and access to
satanic thoughts
 Gives attention to demonic activity
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Releases dominion
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covenant of agreement
Revelation is a call to intercession
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next thing to worship
I have prayed for you, when you are restored…
Valid prophecy is limited to Father’s Words
Developing
Prophetic Ministry
Prophetic sight
What Does Prophecy Do?
Releases fresh perspective
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Hind sight 
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Insight
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History giving grabs attention
Faith building - Verifies, validates future word
Defines past in light of destiny
Awareness of current condition
Priority check
Valuable evaluation
Foresight
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Defines a preferred future
Resonance with God’s plans
Repositions for future blessing
Threefold Prophetic Sight
pattern found in the church letters of Revelation 3-5
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Hindsight
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Insight
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“Word of Knowledge” History giving grabs attention
Faith-building Verifies/validates future word
“Aha” moments of illuminating introspection
Defines current situations in light of destiny.
Foresight
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Defines a preferred future
Resonates with God’s plans
Positions for future blessing
Prophetic Focal Length
Focal Length = T(“AHA” - “yea, Verily” )
 PGI* Live “Out-of-Sync” with Natural World
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God also lives outside of time restraints
The Longer Focal Length =
Greater Potential for Frustration
 More Need for Eternal Kingdom Perspective
 Must understand Others’ “DIH Look”
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PGI Must Understand 5-Fold Ministries
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PGI: Prophetically Gifted Individuals
The Diverse Functions of
Prophetic Revelation
Seers
 Hearers
 Watchmen
 Scribes
 Dreamers
 Interpreters (dreams, events, revelations)
 Minstrels and intimate worshippers
 Others:
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The Watchman
Ezekiel 3:17-22; 33:1-9
 Job is not to require action but to inform
 An unconcerned watchman is useless
 An agenda driven watchman is obnoxious
 Not everyone will listen
 Opportunity for repentance/protection
 God’s justice and mercy require warning
Developing
Prophetic Ministry
The God-Man Model
Egyptian Theology Model
Pharaoh
God/man
People
Desert Ministry model
God
Moses
People
Fallacy of the
God-man Perversion
Lie of the garden
 Manifests in gnosticism
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My value is in what I KNOW
 My value is in what I DO
 My value is in what I SAY
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God does not need our help, counsel,
words, insight or direction
He is GOD and there is NO OTHER!
Purpose to our Prophecy
The 70 Prophesy Momentarily
Talents buried in the tent
They surrounded the tent…
Keeping people out or
Keeping God in?
Sanctification or Separation
Passion for His Purpose…
Eldad and Medad prophesied
“in the camp”
In this season the anointing will flow
to those who know how to use it
Post-congregationals
A generation who see themselves as
spiritual, but have no use for church
Strategy for the Season
“Moses, My Lord, Stop Them!”
This is going to be a white water ride
for those who like things predictable
Things are going to change!
Our Desire:
“I wish that
ALL GOD”S PEOPLE
were prophets,
and that the Lord
would
put His Spirit on them!”
This will NOT be predictable!
Developing
Prophetic Ministry
Prophetic ministry in the marketplace
Prophetic Function
in the Marketplace
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Receiving of a prophetic word (ask for it!)
 Share it (Ask a courageous question)
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May I share something with you?
Confirmation (Hmm…yeah..)
Activation of the word (WOW!)
Life enhancement (WoHooooo!!!)
Appreciation of the gift (Hmm…Anything else?)
Seeking of the subsequent word 
This is a dangerous place for the formation of a
healthy future pattern
Classic Prophetic Paradigm
God
God
Prophet
Person
desires to
speak to people
Cessation theology
 God initiates the
rebirth of the
supernatural gifts
 People are blessed
 God Speaks
Perversion of the Priestly
Prophetic Paradigm
Prophet hears well
 People long to hear
 Prophet receives ego
boost from being needed
& used
 Prophet/priest becomes
the person’s primary
God-connection
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God
Prophet
Person
Perversion of the Priestly
Prophetic Paradigm
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God
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Prophet
Person
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Sabotage of individual’s
hearing development
Position becomes perversion
Unhealthy seeking of the
person carrying the gift
God’s desire: My sheep know
MY voice
God’s jealousy is ignited
Houston, We have a problem!
Prophetic Coaching Paradigm
Intimacy is with God
 Prophetic voice encourages
intimacy with God not gift
 Prophetic voice helps
illuminate and remove
barriers
 Primary function:
confirmation, not information
 Steadily decreasing as God
speaks to person
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God
Person
Prophet
Prophetic Coaching Paradigm
Intimate personal relationship
trumps gifting
 Gifts compliment God’s
passion, not our ego
 The gift multiplies God’s glory
and enhances His standing
 I MUST decrease
He must increase
 Gifts are to be globalized,
not centralized
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God
Person
Prophet
Mature Release of Prophetic
Ministry
God
God
People
Prophet
People
Interaction will begin here
Prophet
Our goal should be to move here
Paradigm for Prophetic Ministry
God
God
Prophet
People
People
Prophet
Paradigm for Pastoral Ministry
God
God
Pastor
People
People
Pastor
Paradigm for Apostolic Ministry
God
God
Apostle
Church
Church
Apostle
Other Applications…
•Altar Ministry
•Children’s Ministry
•Counseling
•Deliverance
Ministry Modifications
Milk
Mentality
Meat
Gift
Dependency
Grace
Man
Focus
God
Decreases
Confidence
Increases
Increases
Ego
Decreases
Marketplace use of the Gifts
(Evangelism)
Receiving and giving of a God-message
 Confirmation (God watches over it)
 Activation of the word (God does it)
 Life enhancement
 Appreciation of the gift
 Seeking of the subsequent Truth
 Influence is given to be used to point
people back to the Giver of the Gift (not
the deliverer or receiver of the gift)
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God
God
Prophet
Person
Person
Prophet
Go into the world…
Or circle the Wagons??
Maturity Sensitivity
Different people at different levels:
Prophetic function determined by their need
 One size does not fit all
 Defer to the listener’s Developmental Maturity
 Another’s Ability to Hear is Primary Function
 Knowing/Giving Info is Secondary
 Refined Listening Skills Produce Fruit
 Obedience to Current Word is the only
Guarantee of Continued Revelation
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Input needs of
Maturing Believers
Confirmation
Information
Telling
Maturity
Coaching
Developing
Five Fold Ministry
Most Believers Have a
Primary 5 Fold Focus/Passion
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Apostolic Ministry
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Prophetic Ministry
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Souls, Multiplication, Mission, Passion
Pastoral Ministry
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Revelation, Information, Judgment
Evangelistic Ministry
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Foundational, Building up, Governmental, Expansion
Personal Growth, Body Health, Maturity of Believers
Teaching Ministry
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Scriptural, Foundational, Process/Information Orientation
Five Fold Ministries
are Effective
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Develop Models for Healthy Ministry
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Team ministry, Interdependence, Synergy
Reproduce Themselves
Success is Not in Doing, but in Making Disciples
 Identify, Train, Raise and Release Future Leaders
 Equip, Energize and Encourage Current Leaders
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Office Ministers are Marked
They are Gifted, Called and Commissioned by God
 They are Known, Proven, and Trusted by men
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The “office” minister
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Called by God
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Focused if not vocational
Confirmed By People and Ministry
Function
 Fruit
 Found Faithful
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Commissioned by Other Church Leaders
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Five-Fold:
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Connected, Serving, Submitted
Not all who function have an office
Functional Five
Pastors add personal touch and timing
 Evangelists add multiplication and fire
 Teachers add stability and clarity
 Apostles add foundations and building
 Prophets add revelation and sight
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Pastoral Ministry
Function from typology Ps.23; Ezek 34
 Companion guides who live with sheep
 They exercise authority, give direction
 Provide safety, security, protection
 Oversee nourishment, quality/quantity
Jer 3:15
 Monitor health, pace, peace, reproduction
 Their work is demanding, solitary,
dangerous, unrelenting
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Pastoral Ministry
Mentioned once in N.T. Eph 4:11
 Is very relational, knows sheep by name Jn
10
 Shepherds are different than hirelings Jn
10:12
 God uses the pasture to develop leaders
 Great leaders: Abraham, Isaac, Moses,
David, Amos and others throughout scripture
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Tensions in the Cluster
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Apostle / Pastor
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Evangelist / Teacher
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Discipleship (Intentional or Natural)
Prophet / Pastor
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Movement (Nature of Change Process)
Timing & Practicality (How Much, How
Fast)
Evangelist/Pastor
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Promises of and faith for miracles that
don’t happen
Tensions
in the Cluster
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Teacher / Prophet
Revelation vs. established truth
 In-the-box vs. Out-of-the box
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Apostle / Prophet
Lack of quick movement
foundations = time
 Big picture vs. specific elements
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Evangelist / Prophet
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Easy salvation vs. ‘true’ repentance,
Tensions
in the Cluster
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Pastor / Prophet (most common conflict)
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Timing & Practicality (How Much, How Fast)
Pastor may be perceived as slow.
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Pastor sees process, prophet sees product
Pastor needs to grow the revelation
 Pastor may have DIH look.
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Tensions in the Cluster
Pastor/Prophet
DIH may be interpreted as rejection
 Prophet may be perceived as pushy/strange
 Prophet will be ‘on to the next’
 “I told you so! “
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(will need to be said about 1 focal length down
the road)
 Tempting, but Extremely Counterproductive!
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Five-Fold Synthesis
in the Cluster
Apostle/Prophet (most common team)
 I Corinthians identifies this as a foundational team
 Prophetic voice provides:
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Warfare strategy,
Identifies ruling spirits,
Releases breaking anointing
Apostolic voice provides
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Practical theological foundation
Vision casting
Process orientation
Developing
Prophetic Ministry
Prophetic Intercession
Most Intercessors Have a
Primary 5 Fold Focus/Passion
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Apostolic Intercession
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Prophetic Intercession
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Souls, Multiplication, Mission
Pastoral Intercession
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Revelation, Information, Judgment
Evangelistic Intercession
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Foundational, Building up, Governmental, Expansion
Personal Growth, Body Health, Maturity of Believers
Teaching Intercession
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Scriptural, Foundational, Process Orientation
Guidelines for Public Words
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Speak Clearly
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Stop when He stops
Practice listening
Look for the “Next”
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No “parrots”
No Monopolies in Kingdom
Be Sensitive to Direction
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“We would see Jesus”
Speak When Needed
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Build up, Buck up, Bind up
Be “Invisible”
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Know the Flow
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RDCV
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Pace and Fit
To Be Heard,Have 3B’s
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Timing the Word
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Make sure you can be
heard
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Let the leader lead
Maintain a “Low” Stance
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Humility is a MUST
KNOW the WORD!!
The Word is…
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A Purifying Fire
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1 Peter 2:2
Hebrews 4:12
A Cleansing Stream
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1 Peter 1:23
A Sharp Sword
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Revelation 11:1-2
A Faith-Growing Seed
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James 1;21-25
A Meal for Babes
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Psalm 119:105
An Examining Mirror
A Growth Measuring Rod
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Jeremiah 23:29
A Guiding light
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Jeremiah 23:29
A Breaking Hammer
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Ephesians 5:26
A Rich Storehouse
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2 Timothy 3:16
Pastoral ministry
Decisiveness in our Discontent
Decisiveness in our Discontent