Words With Friends

Life is always changing for me. I never seem to sit back and go, yeah, I am in the groove. A few weeks ago I did another prophetic school with my brother Lee. We always enjoy working together, and God does wonderful stuff through him.

As always, we had the perfect group of students, hungry, gifted and eager to learn.

I am so blessed that my church allows me to do the 5-Fold School of Ministry. I could not have dreamed up a better vocation in a million years. I also love working with teams, and some of the folks from my church really stepped to the plate.

We have some new schools happening in the future. More on that at apostolicschool.com. Maybe you can join us, or better yet, have us come into your church and do one. I lost my job, and I am more free than ever to travel - well, I need a week or two to recover a bit more from my shoulder surgery.

I will be teaching at the Catalyst School in Swanzy, NH sometime in the near future, as well as being with my team at the Wildfire New England Transformation School in southern NH Oct. 25-27, 2012

I had word about going deeper in faith than I have ever been, so here I am, how can I serve you?

Oh Canada!

This past week I was in London, Ontario. I had a chance to minister at Life International Church with my friend Dan Roberts, as well as a attend a conference at Impact Church. My family heritage on my father's side is Canadian, so I feel some sort of connection when I am there.

For me it was another short-term mission trip. An amazing one.

I suppose that everyone has a definition of what a mission is. For me, it when you go somewhere to love others with your gifts and the primary focus is ministry. The work of the Kingdom takes on many forms as there are varying types of God-given natural and supernatural gifts.

This trip was the result of meeting a Canadian in California last fall. Dan came to visit us here in Boston in February (more on that HERE). We have a number of things in common, but who knows if we'd be friends without Christ? I am glad that God puts me with the people that he wants me to work with. In the course of 30+ years, there have only be enough to count on one hand.

I took a flight after work last Wednesday and I arrived at Dan's house about 1 in the morning; that's way past my bed time! Thursday after breakfast we started to meet people. A pastor, a businessman, a pool supply store manager, and some others. Although I consider myself an apostolic builder - a big picture person, my role is often reduced to ministering in the prophetic to point out roles and giftings in peoples lives. It's sort of like identifying the materials of the building before beginning the process.

People respond to prophetic ministry very differently. Those that are familiar with it, like one of the pastors I met, find it a little mundane unless what you speak is something they haven't heard before. A Christian businessman found the time eye opening. Of course the discussion naturally flows into "what's next for me in business." Those that don't know anything about Jesus, or this charismatic side of Christianity have varying responses.

One of the guys was sort of funny. I got the feeling that he thought religion was sort of stupid. I suppose that is why the Lord told him that. Then he told him a few other views and agreed with him. Wow, even God agreed with this unbeliever. That was followed by God telling him how he wanted to pursue him. That was fine, but he asked: "Tell me abut the money!"

I confessed that God was moving to take care of him financially, but not immediately.

All that might not seem like a big deal, but then I asked him to tell me about the motorcycle he was thinking about. "Oh yes, I looked at a Harley a few days ago." *Insert light-bulb moment* Seed planted.

There were lots of moments like this. I had a chance to give a Muslim nonbeliever a hug. I assure this was a big deal.

One of my favorites was the friend of a young girl at LIC. I called on her towards the end.of the Sunday service. It's hard to talk people into the Kingdom. She had already heard me preach as well as prophesy over a dozen others. "God what do you want her to know?" I asked Him.

I asked her if I could hold her hand and as I did I asked her to close her eyes.  You could see the peace of God come over her. The rest was quickly done by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The School of the Pastor

This weekend we ran another segment of the 5-Fold School of Ministry. This time we focused on pastoring. Stephen and Dalene Russell, here in the US as missionaries from South Africa, did an amazing job.

Stephen's main scripture was the 23 Psalm, and for 3 sessions he broke it down to the elements of true shepherding. Here is the outline. I believe that you'll find some of the Americanized pastoral roles missing. Personally, I find that refreshing..


SERVING – PS. 23:1 THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

HEALING – PS.23:2 I SHALL NOT WANT

EQUIPPING – PS.23:2 HE MAKES ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURE

PREPARING – PS.23:2 HE LEADS ME BESIDE THE STILL WATER

HELPING – PS.23:3 HE RESTORES MY SOUL

ENTERING – PS.23:2 HE LEADS ME BESIDES THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HIS NAME SAKE

REASSURING – PS. 23:4 YEA THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH I WILL FEAR
NO EVIL FOR YOU ARE WITH ME

DIRECTING – PS.23:4 YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME

IMPRESSING – PS.23:5 YOU PREPARE A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMY

NURTURING – PS. 23:5 YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL, MY CUP RUNS OVER

GIVING – PS. 23:6 SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

If you are interested in leaning more about the 5-fold pastor in the church today, leave a comment or contact us at www.apostolicschool.com.

5-Fold School of Ministry - The Apostolic Age

This past weekend Part II of the 5-Fold School of Ministry was held in Massachusetts. We had a variety of speakers and gifting. For those that were there,   you know how powerful Craig Moore, Jonathan Gale, Dan Roberts and Mark Sanchez were.

As we looked more deeply into the role of the evangelist, the teacher and the apostle, a shift in the atmosphere was taking place.

In the midst of all that was going on, here is some insight that I decided to preach at a small church this past Saturday night. It is in note from - but I think you'll be able to get the gist of where I was going, and what I believe that God is doing here in my neck of the woods.


Restoration of the Apostolic Church

- The Church is to be the spotless bride (Ephesians 5:27, and so are we 2 Peter 3:14) (The bride being all that have come to faith over the ages)
- Can we agree that we are not quite there yet?
- As Jesus walked with the apostles, the revelation of who He was grew, and it is growing today.
- The church has had many seasons of revival in various locations. These were not One Hit Wonders.
- All along God has been building something – a church, a bride, a perfect expression of Jesus.

If we look back over the past few decades [Here in the US], here is what happened.

- We had The Jesus Movement brought the gospel to the streets. (1960s)
- We had the Charismatic renewal in the Catholic and Episcopal Church. (Late 1970s/80s)
- We had the Word of Faith movement that grounded us in the word. (1980s)
- We had the Vineyard movement which brought us the believer’s ministry. (1990s)
- We had the Prophetic Renewal movement in Kansas City (Late 1990s)
- We had Toronto that brought us power. (Late 1990s)
- We had Brownsville that brought us Evangelism.  (Late 1990s)
- Then we had a sort of Apostolic Renewal – in some ways we are still in it.  (Late 1990s)
- This is the age of the foundation of the Apostle and Prophet. 2012!

THIS IS WHAT JESUS IS BUILDING!
Ephesians 2:20 You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone

It is dangerous work!
Luke 11:49 For this reason also the wisdom of God said, I will send them prophets and apostles, [some] of whom they will put to death and persecute…

We are getting a new foundation to support the future work of the church!

This is the age of the Apostle and prophet working together to build foundation s for the living breathing organism known as the church of Jesus Christ. This is the church which the gates of Hell cannot prevail.

As we long for revival, and old moves of God, he is building a foundation for the pastor, the teacher and the Evangelist to place the church – his beloved bride on!

This new age (Greek anos) will have a solid foundation, and be identified with teams of nameless believers doing the will of the Father.

This new age will see teams that travel in 2, 3s 4s and 5s! It will be about the Kingdom, not about ministry!

The difference between a formula and model is this. The formula is a patterned way of working, while a model is a principled way of working.

Antioch is a good example of these apostolic principals at work.
- Antioch appears 21 times in the NIV.
- The Church in Antioch was the first church outside of Jerusalem.
- Spread due to persecution, not planted by an Apostle. (Acts 11:19)
- There was evangelism. (Acts 11:20)
- after which it was visited by the Apostles. (Acts 11:26)
- and then the Prophets. (Acts 11:27)
- followed by the Teachers. (Acts 13:1)
- there was an established building for meeting. (Acts 13:14)
- Elders were appointed (Pastor). (Acts 15:22)

In it we will see what it is that sets us apart from religion!

-1 Healing: I am inspired by the testimonies that came from the Expecting Miracles event at one of the churches I attend. They made testimony videos of people that came with physical ailments and were healed in the name of Jesus! The is part of the inheritance we have in Christ. It is not magic; it comes through faith and prayer.

-2 Miracles: Elijah called down fire on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18) and it was AWESOME! Since man first acknowledged God, he has been performing miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit, and he still does. I have witnessed quite a few in my lifetime: Anonymous checks in the mail that met a certain need to the penny, multiplying invitations to a church meeting in Norway, and a number of others which I have written about on Fire & Grace.

-3 Revelation: The sheep know His voice! If you are one of God's sheep, then you should be hearing his voice! Wake up, God wants to speak to you if you'll take the time to learn how to listen with your spirit. (I know you've probably had a hundred sermons on hearing God's voice) It may come in prayer, or though a prophetic word, or an illuminated Bible verse, but you need to hear God. Sure, sermons are great, but if that is all you are getting, it might be time to do something different.

-4 Authority over the Demonic: In America we pretty much don't believe in the Devil or demon possession, but that doesn't make it nonexistent. Once we engage the spiritual realms and leave the realm of intellect and debate, we will engage evil spirits. Jesus said we had authority over them. Did you know that?

-5 Reckless Abandon: Are you serious about your Christianity? Are you willing to bet your life on it? We think the terrorists are extreme because they are willing to die for their cause. Well, guess what, you and I are in an army that requires that same sort of commitment. We are not suicidal, but we value the path of Jesus more than our own lives.

-6 Sacrificial Love... love is not feeding the poor, caring for the sick, or preaching a sermon. It is doing what we see the Father doing!

5-Fold School of Ministry

This past weekend was the first of a 2 part 5-Fold School of Ministry. I was a great time in which we covered the the role of the pastor and prophet as equippers in the church.

Pastor Stephen Russell laid out the principals of 5-fold pastoring which included the attributes of protection and  nurturing a local flock. He also talked about confronting unbecoming behavior in the church. I loved his passion for his place in the Kingdom. In addition the team covered the following:


- Caring for the Sheep
- Deliverance
- Healing
- Wholeness
- Feeding the Sheep

My brother, Lee Johndrow spoke for the part of the class on the prophet. He did an excellent job talking about accuracy, faith, and the trials of those that occupy this role in the church. I addition we covered:


- What is Prophecy
- The Prophet
- The Gift of Prophecy (charisma)
- The Role of a Prophet (doma)
- Receiving/Judging Prophecy
- How to Prophesy

If you are in Southern New England, and are free on February 3 and 4th, we'll be doing part 2 and talking about the Evangelist, the Apostle and the the Teacher.

For more information, visit www.apostolicschool.com .