Ministry & Ministries

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M i n i s t r i e s & P r a y e r M i n i s t r y

Defining Ministry and Context of Ministry as well as Content

Definition
Ministy is defined as the activity of theSpirit of God flowing and working through people who are submitted to and empowerd by Him. It has been defined as Jesus working through our hands and feet. Simply put it is Jesus Christ living His life through us. This is part of the grace walk. We are literally "dead men walking", for no flesh can glory in God. We must die to self to be effective for ministry of the Spirit in us.

As such we recognize that there are two types of ministries.

Ministries of the Spirit in the local assembly

Ministries of the Spirit in the larger community

Context

These ministries can also operate in different geographical contexts. If we go by Acts 1:

8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

These ministries always entail :

ministry in local body

ministry in the community

ministry to those in far away places

We will support ministries through:

prayer and intercession

active involvement - hands on

supporting the work financially

Content

By content I mean more than the essence of ministry. Content inevitably includes the "stuff" of ministry or what makes ministry happen. We know that no ministry happens outside of the Holy Spirit being the author of and sustainer of the work of the ministry.

Financial Giving and Ministry

Another important factor in the work of the ministry is FINANCES.

Catagorically let me state the following:

1. Wealth is a gift from God in order to be able to fulfill the work of the minitry and extend the Kingdom of God in the earth.

2. Lack of wealth hinders the work of the ministry.

3. Believers with wealth are given wealth as stewards in order to bless the extending of the Kingdom of God in the earth.

4. God releases wealth to those who have faith and ask for it by faith.

The issue of TITHING.

1. Tithing is Old Covenant and is not recorded in the early church as being a valid system of gathering wealth for ministry. With the destruction of the Temple system inA.D. 70 there was no longer a need for Jewish Christians to pay the temple tax.

The use of tithing by churches is re-instituting the law of the Old Testament. The law is fulfilled in Christ, and since Christ fulfilled all the ministries of the Temple, and that we are now His temples, there is no need to use the temple tax.

2. The New Testament teaches the use of offerings for the work of the ministry.

3. The New Testament does not teach tithing and receiving tax receipts and therefore we will not issue receipts. Any cash gifts given will not be issued a charitable tax receipt. All funds will go in an account that has joint signatures in the church name and will be used strictly for the work of the ministry of the body.

The use of offerings are for the support of the work of the ministry:

support the local benevolent needs of the body and mercy ministries in the community

support of other ministries locally or on the "mission field"

support of funds for particular ministry needs and functions such as rentals of halls for particular gatherings, the day to day supplies of goods for ministry (paper, ink, etc.)

the scriptures teach that men and women in full time ministry should be self-supporting, and not a financial burden to the local assembly, and as such I will not receive a wage from my calling as a pastor

One of the vital ministries of the church is the prayer ministry. As a ministry the following is a guideline which has proven to be helpful in ministering to people.

Prayer Ministry - A Team Approach

It is made up of Christians who have come into a personal relationship with Jesus.

Is recognized by all the leadership of The Dwelling Place.

Is confident in initiating the gifts of the Holy Spirit in a ministry setting.

Is in submission to the direction and desires of the Vision for The Dwelling Place.

Is active in personal relationships reaching out to those outside of the Kingdom of God.

Is eager to serve, humbly without recognition or exaltation.

The Testimony of Jesus
In my mission and person God has come to you.

I am present as Head of my church, I have not left you.

The Kingdom of God is present where I am, and where I am seated as King.

The Coming Age has come and is yet to come in My Kingdom.

The Church is my Body and represents the works of My Kingdom.

My teaching brings about change as I also demonstrate all that I am telling you.

My presence is the foretaste of future glory.

I bestow forgiveness wherever I am.

My presence invites all to enter into fellowship with me.

I promise righteousness and deliverance from all the powers of the devil.

My power and authority are transferrable to all who follow me.

The 5 Step Prayer/ Healing Model
1. Where does it Hurt? (Presenting emotions; trauma; turmoil)

2. Diagnostic Decision....'What is it that allows this condition?'(presenting beliefs, unbelief).

3. Prayer selection...'inviting Jesus to enter and address in his way..(address specific words of Knowledge, inviting the Lord to address the situation and speak directly to the individual; what are the presenting barriers ie. Unforgiveness, resentment, etc.)

4. Prayer engagement...lay on hands if appropriate; ask basic questions.. 'How are you doing?'

What are you seeing, sensing? What is the Lord saying to you? What scripture comes to mind? Engage in prayer addressing these questions.

5. Post prayer direction...reassure, invite to follow up, special meeting times, personal or corporate. Speak works of faith and encouragement as to the Lord's desire in this situation...to comfort, bless, heal forgive...

Practical considerations.... HOW YOU COME ACROSS.....
Hey ...you read this Eh...???

Personal Hygiene...Clean breath... clean hands...clean hair and clothes..

Personal confidence...your conversations are confidential, not future illustrations of your power!

Personal preparation....Have you come before the Lord to present yourself for service and inspection by the Holy Spirit in a time of meditation and or devotion to him alone.

Ask for help in a difficult situation.. Remember we are a team. It works.

Avoid techniques like your favorite phrase, bible verse, favorite teaching or counseling approach. Etc.

Avoid having to have the solution to a problem, this is likely a temptation to suck in your ego to have the Big answer to someone's life.

Always allow room and time for the Holy Spirit to direct, ... Silence is wonderful.. And does not mean you are a failure...remember there is no pressure for you to do anything!

Demonic manifestations will happen, chill, if you are still awkward or buzzed by this, call someone to help who isn't.

Do not engage in loud conversations in a ministry area, this is holy ground.

Pray for one another after a time of ministering, to allow the Spirit of God to clear you of all distractions present in engaging in the problems and crisis of people around you.

Establishing yourself in the MOST HOLY FAITH Yes ...Keep reading...
In prayer and meditating on words like these, establish the reality of a living faith within yourself speaking athlete (whenever possible), in a time of private and or corporate prayer, the very central truths and foundations of our faith, to establish them deep within your heart and soul.

Eg. From the LORD'S PRAYER.....

Lord you are my father, and I am your own. I belong to you, and I am your child....You are providing everything for this day and hour...You are holy. My life is dedicated to your holiness. I turn away from all unrighteousness this day. I was born to live in your holiness. I am righteous this day through your finished work of salvation. Your kingdom is here now.. I call for your kingdom to enter every relationship this day.. Your wishes will be done in my life today. I love your ways.. What a wonderful privilege to be a Christian to know you and your ways and desires for this community. How I thank you for todays provisions. They are perfect and just enough. You know exactly what I need, and I am so privileged to have you as my Father. You have all power, and your power lives in me. I will attribute all evidences of this power to you and not to myself or my natural talents in my life. I owe to you all the joys of my life and promise to pay tribute to you in public places whenever others seek to exalt me for what you have done. Etc.

Eg. From other scriptures....

II Peter 1:14...I have been given exceedingly great and precious promises by God by which I am a partaker of God's divine nature...

I Peter 2:11...I am living only temporarily in this world, my true citizenship is in Heaven..

I Peter 2:5... I am one of God's living stones, I am being built up in Christ as a spiritual house.

Eph. 2:6....I have been raised up and seated with Christ in Heavenly places..

Eph. 2:5.. .I have been made alive together with Christ...His life is now in me...

Eph 1:3...I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing....

Eph 1:4...I was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy .... I am without blame before him..

Eph. 2:18... I have access to God through the Spirit...

Heb.4:16...I have the right to come boldly before the throne of God to find mercy and grace in time of need
Heb. 3:1...I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling....

Heb. 3:4...I am a partaker of Christ, I share in his life....

Rom. 5:1..I have been justified.. Completely forgiven and made righteous....
Rom. 6:18... I am a slave of righteousness..

Rom. 6:17...I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing his inheritance with Him..

Rom. 8:1...I am forever free of all condemnation

Rom. 6:1...I died with Christ and died to the power of sin's rule over my life

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