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>> RESOURCES
Use the links below to find out more information.
Proper Prophetic Procedures 1: Guidelines for Understanding and Having Effectiveness When Ministering the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Fred P. Bachman
Defining the Prophetic 2: A Guide to Understanding Personal Prophecy, Fred P. Bachman
Discipleship for Ministry: A Process for Mentoring, Fred P. Bachman
Ministerial Recognition: Qualifications & Policies, Fred P. Bachman
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>> PROPER PROPHETIC PROCEDURES I
Guidelines for Understanding and Having Effectiveness When Ministering the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Guidelines for Prophetic Procedures in the Local Church
We welcome you to Living Praise Worship Center! Depending on the service or class you are attending, we look forward to ministering to you by speaking, teaching, and/or activating the gifts and callings of God in your life. We realize that you come from many different backgrounds and that you may have a different understanding and concept of prophetic ministry. However, while you are here, we ask you to observe the enclosed guidelines so that the leadership of Living Praise Worship Center can properly oversee and give account for all personal prophetic ministry. Presented are some basic guidelines which can help believers bless their local church when flowing in the gifts. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of rigid rules but general guidelines to enable believers to be a blessing in the gifts of the Spirit.
Seek that you might excel to... the edifying of the Body of Christ.
I Corinthians 14:12
Perhaps the biggest misconception people have of prophetic ministry is that it should be ministered in a judgmental, condemning, or in a rebuking way. While prophets may speak judgment, it is reserved for the mature who function in the office of the prophet and who are recognized eldership in the Body of Christ. II Samuel 12:1 says that 'the Lord sent Nathan to David' to confront him with his sin.
Nathan was a recognized prophet and ministerial peer whom David could receive from, not a novice or 'son of a prophet.' The end result was repentance and restoration for David. Believers in accordance with the New Testament, should seek to edify the Body of Christ through congregational prophecy which is edifying and encouraging, not correcting and directional. Harshly spoken and condemning prophecies generally prove to be unfruitful, as they don't meet the Biblical criteria of speaking (prophesying the truth in Love, Ephesians 4:15); nor do they manifest the attributes of wisdom from above. (James 3:17) Believers should 'covet to prophesy' according to I Corinthians 14:3, 'to edify, exhort, and comfort.'
Be Submissive to Pastoral Authority
It is extremely important for all Believers to maintain a submissive and teachable spirit towards the pastor and local leadership as they minister spiritual gifts, since the pastors are given the responsibility for both those ministering in the gifts and the others in the Body. Inputs and correction given by those in authority should be eagerly received by those who desire to manifest their ministry in a way that will complement the philosophy of the local church. It should never be assumed by those who have attended a Prophetic seminar/conference that they cannot receive from the Pastor. (Proverbs 12:15) As humans, who are fallible and subject to error, at some point in time while ministering the gifts, mistakes will be made, and it's these times in particular, that the pastor can save your life.
Remember that you are only receiving a partial revelation, while your pastor is responsible for the overall vision and numerous functions of the local church. The gift of prophecy, or even one holding the office of prophet in the local church, never supercedes the local pastor.
Control Length and Frequency when Ministering... Gifts of the Spirit
A common complaint is that many go too long when they prophesy or minister spiritual gifts in the church. Those who prophesy should endeavor to present any revelation as clearly and concisely as possible. Prophesying is like preaching: the preacher can have truth to present but dull or deaden the effect of that truth by an improper or too lengthy presentation. Most congregational prophecies can be given in one to two minutes at the most. Anything longer gets extremely wearisome for others, including the pastor who is responsible for order and schedule of the service. Along the same line, one should not feel that they must prophesy at every service. This may limit others from ministering their gift and may even give the impression that this particular individual was trying to monopolize the prophetic and/or spiritual ministry of the church.
No personal prophesying is to be done outside of proper covering...
Various opportunities may be given during the School of the Spirit or Proclamation and/or Gatherings to minister to individuals prophetically, as well as activate Believers in the gifts of the Spirit. These opportunities will be scheduled and will be under the oversight of Living Praise Worship Center presbytery staff. These are the only times people should be sharing a personal prophetic word with another attendee. 'Parking Lot Prophecies' given out from under proper oversight do not allow the person being ministered to proper covering and discernment in this important area. If you feel you have a definite word for someone and it's imperative to give it, please write it down and give it to a pastoral staff member, who will pass it on if they feel a clear witness about it.
The reasons for this policy are two-fold: First, we record all prophetic utterances so the person receiving the word can take the tape home and write out the word God gave them. See Chapter 16 in Prophets and Personal Prophecy to determine your proper response to prophecy. Secondly, as your host, we are responsible to you, your pastor, and God for the ministry which takes place at each prophetic opportunity. We want to evaluate and witness all personal ministry to ensure people are not misled, and/or do not improperly respond to their personal prophetic word.
Review Prophecy with Pastor or Elder
This allows each one who has received a valid word to submit it to those in authority over them to help determine the proper timing for fulfilling what was spoken. It also allows another objective voice to speak into their lives, enabling them to truly hear what God was speaking without preconceptions and defense mechanisms. It should be noted that personal prophecy should never be taken home and thrown on the pastor's desk as justification of your calling (or any other situation) which you feel defensive about. God's sheep love their shepherd and will look to him/her for guidance. Personal prophecy does nothing to change this, and in fact should enhance it.
Closing Comments
Thank you for understanding and observing these guidelines. We feel responsible before God to ensure that all personal ministry that takes place is accurate and anointed, and we also want to be prepared to give a report to your pastor, if necessary, concerning the ministry you received, while here with us.
We have made every effort to ensure that you will be ministered to by the Spirit of the Lord during every meeting or class here at Living Praise Worship Center. Let's believe together for a mighty move of the Holy Spirit that will glorify God and edify the Body of Christ as we listen to hear His Voice.
Recommended Reading
These guidelines are to help you effectively minister to the Body of Christ. If you are hungry to learn more, we encourage you to read Dr. Bill Hamon's book, Prophets and Personal Prophecy, Volume I. We know this book will be a valuable aid in understanding prophecy and the flow of the Holy Spirit.
Used by permission from Dr. Bill Hamon, Christian International
>> DEFINING THE PROPHETIC II
A Guide to Understanding Personal Prophecy
Prophet
One of the five-fold ascension gift ministers who are an extension of Christ's ministry to the church. An anointed minister who has the gifted ability to perceive and speak the specific mind of Christ to individuals, churches, businesses, and nations.
Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 14:29; Acts 11:27; Acts 13:1
Prophetess
A female prophet.
Acts 2:17; Acts 21:9; Luke 3:2; Isaiah 8:3; 2 Chronicles 34:22; Exodus 15:20
Prophecy
Signifies the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God. It is the declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means. It is the forth-telling of the will of God, whether with reference to the past, the present, or the future. Vines, p. 893
A truly divinely inspired prophecy is the Holy Spirit expressing the thoughts and desires of Christ through a human voice.
New Testament Prophecy Functions in Three Realms
Spirit of the Prophecy: Jesus, giving inspired testimony and praise through one of His believers, by prophetic utterance or Song of the Lord. (Hebrews 2:12; Revelation 19:10)
Gift of Prophecy: One of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit which brings edification, exhortation, and comfort to the Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:10; Romans 12:6)
Office of the Prophet: Speaking by divine utterance the mind and counsel of God and giving a rhema word for edification, direction, correction, confirmation, and instruction in righteousness. (1 Corinthians 14:20; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Ephesians 4)
Prophetic Ministers
All other ministers who do not have the Office of Prophet, but those who do hold another office of the five-fold ascension gifted ministry, and believe that there are prophets in the Church today. They may move in prophetic ministry by:
Prophesying with the gift of prophecy.
Giving personal prophecy with a prophetic presbytery.
Prophetic counseling.
Ministering with other gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Ministering in prophetic worship
That said, all Ascension Gifted New Testament ministers, in whichever office, should be able to speak a rhema word revealing the mind and purpose of God for specific situations and people.
Prophetic People
They are the people of God who are full of the Holy Spirit and are fulfilling the scriptural command to desire spiritual gifts, covet the prophecy. (1 Corinthians 12:39, 14:1)
Characteristics include:
Believe in, propagate, and support the ministry of apostles and prophets in the Church today.
Earnestly desire spiritual gifts and function in their use.
Exercise of spiritual senses in order to be fully educated and activated in all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit which have been ordained for them, including but not limited to the gift of prophecy. (Hebrews 5:14; 1 Corinthians 12:1, 7, 11)
Prophetic Ministry
The overall placement and function includes:
All the ways the Holy Spirit makes known the heart and mind of Christ to mankind.
The ministry of the prophet, prophetic ministers, and prophetic people.
All the ministry and manifestations of the Holy Spirit and all the Scriptural ways in which God can be praised. This includes prophetic worship with singing, praising, prophesying, Song of the Lord, praise-dance, mime, and sign language. In fact, all dedicated physical expressions which may properly glorify God and edify the Church.
Prophetic Anointing & Mantle
An in depth study of the word anoint reveals that it was used to consecrate people to a particular position or ministry. In ministering with prophetic anointing, it means you are enduing people with the presence of Christ and the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 10:27 declares that yokes are destroyed because of the anointing. In present day application the manifest presence of God meets specific needs.
To say a person has a prophetic anointing, means that they have the calling to move prophetic ministry. It does not necessarily mean this person has the calling to the office of prophet.
In speaking of or referring to a prophetic mantle, a similar meaning is shared. If someone has prophesied that you have a prophetic mantle, it implies that you have the gifted ability to minister in prophetic ministry, but as to what realm, will be determined by time and use. (Exodus 28:14; Psalm 2:2, 23:5, 105: 15; Zechariah 4:6; Hebrews 1:19)
Prophetic Churches
Those who qualify for recognition and promotion as a prophetic local church will have developed the following ministries within the church:
Qualified prophetic ministers and Believers capable of forming prophetic presbytery.
Prophetic teams for healing, prophetic counseling, prophesying and ministering God's grace and deliverance by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Prophetic Lifestyle
These are the people who live their lives according to the logos and rhema Word of God. The logos is their general standard for living and the rhema gives direction in specific areas of their lives.
Logos
GREEK meaning 'word' or story. The unchanging inerrant, creative, and inspired Word of God. Logos is the entire written Word of God - the Bible. It is the complete revelation of God: His personage, character, plan, and eternal purpose; as found in the Scriptures. (Psalm 119:89; 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13)
Rhema
GREEK meaning 'word'. Derived from the verb 'to speak' (Romans 10:17). A rhema word is a word or an illumination God speaks directly to us, and it addresses our personal, particular situation. It is a timely, Holy Spirit inspired word from the logos that brings life, power, and faith to perform and fulfill it. It can be received through others such as by a prophetic word, or be an illumination given to one directly in their personal meditation time of the Bible or in prayer.
This material was adapted from Christian International Network of Prophetic Ministries, with written permission.
>> DISCIPLESHIP FOR MINISTRY
A Process for Mentoring
Mentoring Process...Defined
Mentoring is defined as the process of transferring the spirit of the leader to the disciple. It is a scriptural process to be followed in the local church. People are prepared to become carriers of their leaders' vision and opens the way for full development of the individual's giftings and Divine Call.
Each individual or couple is responsible for presenting themselves to our Senior Minister. The are to request an appointment by telephoning the meeting house office, making their purpose very clear.
Studies will be assigned in the process and materials will be priced 'at cost,' but must be purchased.
As each study is completed, the question list is to be filled out and submitted, followed by another appointment for the purpose of reviewing the materials and receiving a new assignment.
Whenever possible, The School of the Spirit is to be utilized to meet the requirements for mentoring and ministerial credentials. However, because only limited course offerings are available, these studies cannot totally take the place of Pastor-assigned materials.
The sessions are not to be confused with personal counseling which is to be handled through the standard procedure.
It is also very noteworthy that development, discipline, and preparation be taken seriously by a minister's spouse who would do well to be an active part of the mentoring process.
Each individual or couple is expected to be an active participant in the meetings focusing on Discipleship for Ministry.
Discipleship for Ministry...Explained
This group brings together those who either gives full consideration to having a ministry calling, or have been confirmed as having an Ascension '5-Fold' Calling Gift. Participation is by invitation of the Senior Minister, following a period of confidential observation.
Content includes the sharing of guidance and helps coming from years of personal experience by mature ministers, through a variety of presentations.
This group and what it offers to a ministerial candidate is a vital part of preparation for credentials of ministerial recognition.
While attending the regularly scheduled group meetings, opportunities are provided for ministerially anointed persons to be actively assigned to meaningful responsibilities in and through Living Praise Worship Center.
>> MINISTERIAL RECOGNITION
Qualifications & Policies
Guidelines for Ministerial Credentials with Living Praise Worship Center
In Ephesians 4:11, the '5-fold ministries' are listed as follows: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelist; and some, pastors and teachers. When the Calling of God is received, it is important that development, discipline, and various means of preparation are experienced. But the primary scriptural basis is to have received God's Calling in a personal way. The levels of ministerial recognition give place for very important preparation, not just for the candidate, but also their spouse. The ministry requires a oneness of husband and wife in their marriage. Selection for recommendation to levels of ministry will include the candidate having consistent evidence of both a Calling and marriage relationship which lines up with God's Word.
Levels of Recognition
- Exhorted
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- Requirements to Qualify
- Have had six months of confidential observation by the Elders.
- Must have reached their eighteenth year of age.
- Function on this level for a minimum of one year.
- Be actively involved in an assigned ministry role of any capacity.
- Have a lifestyle of submission in accordance with God's Word to the Senior Minister for personal development in areas unique to serving ministerially.
- Purpose
- Declare publicly the person's ministry Calling.
- Avail yourself to opportunities for preparation.
- Participate in Bible studies and classes through the School of the Spirit and/or CLST.
- Some materials may be assigned for individual study by the Senior Minister, Lead Staff Minister, Children's Pastor, or Students' Pastor geared toward your specific ministry.
- Licensed
- Requirements to Qualify
- Have functioned for a minimum of one year on the level of Exhorted Ministry.
- Must have reached their twenty-first year of age.
- Be actively serving as a leader in an assigned role of ministry.
- Functions at this Level
- Show consistent progress in Bible Studies and training by attending School of the Spirit and/or CLST, and by completing any material assigned by the Senior Minister or Staff Ministers.
- Give consistent evidence that their spouse is supportive and is advancing toward spiritual maturity.
- Judge oneself according to I Timothy 3:8-12.
- Have a lifestyle of submission in accordance with God's Word to the Senior Minister for personal development in all areas of one's life so their abilities to serve ministerially will be enhanced.
- Purpose
- Publicly recognize substantive development in their Calling.
- Avail yourself to opportunities advance in ministerial preparation.
- Ordained
- Requirements to Qualify
- Have functioned for a minimum of one year on the level of Licensed Ministry.
- Must have reached their twenty-fifth year of age.
- Be actively serving as a leader in an assigned ministry role or ministering outside the Fellowship, but under it's covering, with consistent regularity.
- Functions at this Level
- Preach and teach the Word a minimum of 12 messages or lessons in a calendar year.
- Continue progressing in Bible studies and training such as School of the Spirit and/or CLST, and by completing any material assigned by the Senior Minister or Staff Ministers.
- Give consistent evidence that their spouse walks in spiritual maturity both in the home and in the ministry role where they are placed, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
- Judge oneself according to I Timothy 3:1-7.
- Have a lifestyle of submission in accordance with God's Word to the Senior Minister for spiritual covering and counseling in all areas of one's life so abilities to serve ministerially will be enhanced.
- Purpose
- Publicly recognize a high level of maturity in the person's ministry Calling.
- Provide a clear sanction to legally practice mature ministry and establish the basis for a more comprehensive acceptance of ministerial recognition.
- Make available level of exposure which will best promote and enable one's ministry in keeping with perceived need for most effective functioning.
- Available Sanction Sources
- Living Praise Worship Center
- Evangel Fellowship International
Note: Requirements set forth by the sanctioning body must be met by each candidate directly with that organization. No legal functioning is to be presumed by any minister. When in doubt, confer with the Senior Minister or his representative.
Qualifications
- You must be a member of Living Praise Worship Center and attend services regularly in the meeting house unless assigned or sent forth by the Headship.
- Attend the School of the Spirit and/or CLST to further training and knowledge of God's Word for personal growth and preparation.
- Schedule individual mentoring/counseling sessions when needed (through the church office) so your Calling can be walked out to the fullest.
- There is a fee for dues that are payable each year by January 31. This fee must be kept current for you to be a valid credentialed minister. When fees are kept current, you are acknowledging the call that God has placed on your life.
Selection & Renewal
- Candidates may be recommended by anyone to individual members of the Board of Advisors. Each candidate will then be given consideration by the Ministerial Credentials Review Group.
- The Ministerial Credentials Review Group will be appointed by our Senior Minister and confirmed by The Board of Advisors. Their responsibilities will be to (1) process annual renewal forms; (2) receive changes involving credentialed ministers; (3) provide oversight of the restoration process as may be deemed appropriate.
Ministry Assignments
- Candidates are to be actively involved in the work of the ministry. Opportunities outside of the local fellowship will be encouraged when presented for spiritual covering and when compatible with functions they are prepared for. Preparation is recognized as a key factor in the total process.
- The principle that will be applied in all assignments is as follows: Depending upon their ministry recognition level, individuals can be assigned in roles of any capacity from basic to actual leadership. Example - An Ordained minister can serve in any capacity , but an Exhorted minister cannot function as one who is ordained.
Ministerial Credential Review Group & Available Restoration Procedures
- This group will consist of not more than five credentialed ministers, one serving as the Ministry Director, with our Senior Minister. Credentials must be either with Living Praise Worship Center or Evangel Fellowship International.
- Responsibilities will include sufficient meetings to review all candidates and renewing ministerial credentials. Decisions by this group will require a two-thirds majority agreement concerning candidates and all actions affecting them as individuals.
- The group will make recommendations to the Board of Advisors in matters involving disciplinary action, terms of restoration including sabbaticals, and necessary oversight of accountability as may be required by ministerial persons so affected.
- Ministerial credentials will be rescinded only should the candidate be involved in moral improprieties, and not demonstrate a repentant heart nor be open to receive restoration through a Pastor-led season of healing and renewal. In addition, credentials can be revoked should the candidate depart from true scriptural beliefs or break fellowship/relationship with their sponsoring group of LPWC or EFI.
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