Let Him Test It!

What's released when heat is applied?

In a recent marketing video, I talked about how campaigns and design pieces should be tested. In that video I mentioned that even God himself doesn't release a thing until it's been tested. As leaders we can't be quick to release those serving with us without proper testing no matter how great the need.

Character, faithfulness, spiritual soundness and maturity, are all things that come under scrutiny during testing. Testing demands that one proves what they know and that they are who they say they are. Testing exposes weak areas and then those weak areas are submitted and yielded to Holy Spirit for strengthening through prayer and fasting.

Before next levels...there is usually a time of proving. Jesus was led to the wilderness by Holy Spirit for testing. (Luke 4). Upon successful completion of that test, then He was released into public ministry. Spiritual leaders then must be observant and willing to wait. Leaders must ask:

• How do those up for promotion handle pressure (i.e. trials and adversity)?
• Do they complain or are they prayerful? 
• Has their attendance increased or decreased during this time of testing? 
• Has their praise and worship taken a noticeable hit? 
• Has there been a decrease in their giving (time and finances)?
• Do they "heed sound doctrine?" In other words are they teachable, receptive to Holy Spirit's wisdom through you as their leader?

This is the kind of information you need before the ordination and a time of testing will always tell. Allow Holy Spirit to do the work then be observant, be patient and know that God will with hold no good thing from you. That includes sending able-bodied ministers to help you carry the vision. Take nothing at face value and allow Holy Spirit to test their readiness for you.

Whether its a marketing campaign or minister in your congregation...it shouldn't be released without first being thoroughly tested. 

Blessings everyone!

Read more...

When London Calls

Big Ben, London, England

A dear friend of mine called me to say that she received a ministry invitation from a ministry in London, England. They visited her Web site and extended an invitation for her to come speak at a conference. The first thing ministers do is check the validity of the ministry. There are lots of scams out there. Unfortunately when you get an email from Africa or India chances are it's a scam. But this time a ministry from London came calling and the ministry was legitimate. We followed links all over the Internet and confirmed this was a real church, with real people and a real pastor.

They offered to pay hotel/airfare and provide ground transportation and a sizable honorarium. All she had to do was apply for a work visa or work permit. Once that had been completed they would wire three-fourths of the honorarium to her.

Something still didn't sound right so we asked a third party. A minister who has traveled internationally told us it didn't quite sound right. That she had a similar offer once before but it didn't fall through.

Come to find out it was a scam.

What these people want is your personal information.

They don't want you to come and bring the glory of God to London.

They find legitimate churches and ministries and pretend to be extending you an invitation on their behalf.

They know all the right things to say.

The offer very nice honorariums. Very nice.

They even create very nice conference themes with dynamic topics for you to minister from. 

But there are a couple of things that tipped off our international minister.

• The email address to the government agency in London was a gmail account. Government addresses in London end in .gov.uk.
• There was no office phone to contact. Every phone number was a direct cell number. My friend tried to call and was not able to reach anyone.
• The conference was just a month away. Who does this? Scammers. They want to create a sense of urgency and hopefully disengage good sense long enough for you to remit your valuable personal information.

I know you were aware of the Africa and India scams. Well here's one more coming out of the United Kingdom. Use wisdom, ask somebody else if you're unsure and always follow-up! My friend is going to contact the church in London and let them know scammers are using their ministry as a cover!

As always, be blessed ministers of God!
 

Read more...

Here's what to do

In a moment of frustration, I posted on my Facebook page, my mounting frustration about what I was hearing come across the pulpit in the name of the Lord. Some of it is truly the spirit of error at work; but not so in every case. Sometimes it's due to lack of knowledge. By the end of that post, I was ready to confront and ask for notes and references. But then Holy Spirit reminded me that this is not new and a best practice for handling this type of situation already existed in scripture.

And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. - Acts 18-24-26

Leader to leader
A minister I know told me about a relative of hers who thought it her business to correct ministry leaders. She held no prophetic office and was determined on delivering what she believed to be the word of the Lord. Some actually entertained what she had to say. What this person did not know is that a best practice had already been established. According to scripture, this type of correction comes from one ministry leader to another.

Aquila and Priscilla were missionaries and traveled with the Apostle Paul. Church tradition says that this husband and wife team were a part of the 70 that Jesus sent out according to Luke chapter 10. So we see established leaders listening to a dynamic message from a very eloquent man but obviously lacking in a doctrinal truth. When they heard this, it became their responsibility to correct in love and show the better way.

I wouldn't try it 
David was fleeing Jerusalem when Shimei hurled curses and insults upon David in 2 Samuel 16. Without further reading, it  appears that his actions were met with God's approval. Scroll down to chapter 19 and we find Shimei repenting to David and pleading for his life. Shimei admitted his guilt, said he knew he had sinned and went to meet David and repented. Eventually Shimei was killed by King David's son Solomon for blatant disobedience. A poignant story that reminds us of God's order in the Kingdom and reveals the heart of those who buck against that order.

Again, correction of a leader should always come from another leader.

Oh they'll eventually get it is not acceptable
Aquila and Priscilla did not let Apollos remain in the dark concerning God's truth about Jesus Christ. It was more important that Apollos declare the full counsel of this gospel message. That is all that mattered. Here is where church leaders today can take note. It's not enough to see your fellow co-laborer missing an important truth. The notion of, "Oh they'll eventually get it," is not the will of the Father. To my surprise, some allow those who pull in large crowds to teach in error because of the money that also comes with large crowds.

This ought not be so!

To complain, to talk about and not offer correction to a minister who is lacking knowledge or truth is unacceptable.

There's a right way and wrong way
Notice another best practice for us here in this text. They did not confront Apollos in the middle of his message. They did not "call him out" if you will in front of the other synagogue leaders. They took him and privately showed him the way of God more perfectly.

This is a best practice solution for handling fellow ministry leaders who lack some eternal truth and need to be shown the better way. Dealing with false teachers and prophets and confronting the spirit of error is another post altogether. Holy Spirit will definitely lead and guide you in this area if you ask Him too. Don't get frustrated, Holy Spirit just may want to use you to enlighten and reveal truth. A true vessel will consider your words and take them to heart. Remember sons of God receive correction!

May God give you wisdom and grace to contend for the faith!

Blessings to you all!

Pastor Lisa

Read more...

Leadership thought of the day

Elisha served Elijah till the end even though he was hard-pressed to give up early.

He was determined to see his master through till the end.

He would complete his assignment and not even the prophet’s suggestion of ending early dissuaded him.

Because he pressed through to the end; Elisha received a double portion of his master’s anointing.

The lesson here is to continue to the very end. Only let the Lord separate you and promote you and receive the double portion.

Read more...

Do you hear what I hear?

Now when Joshua heard the sound of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, "There is a sound of war in the camp."
But he (Moses) said,

"It is not the sound of the cry of triumph, Nor is it the sound of the cry of defeat; But the sound of singing I hear." Exodus 32:17-18 NASB

The purpose of a mentor, a spiritual parent is to help you develop your ear; sharpen your discernment. Joshua served faithfully under Moses until Moses died and it was time to take the Children of Israel over into the promise land.

During Joshua’s early training, he and Moses along with 70 others were on a mountain receiving the commandments from God.


A noise from the Hebrew camp arose and Joshua heard the sound of war.

Moses had to tell him, no what you hear is the sound of singing.

This was a lesson in proper discernment and on hearing correctly.

And what a valuable lesson.

Joshua, a man of war, discerned the noise through his combat filter. Moses helped him realize that was not the case and Joshua grew as a leader that day.

Had Moses not instructed Joshua, he would have went storming down the mountain ready for war and looked very foolish!

Man and woman of God, allow Holy Spirit to develop your spiritual hearing and discernment through your leader. If you submit to this training, God can then magnify you before those you serve and save you from foolish mistakes.

Many blessings,
Pastor Lisa

Read more...

Better not Bitter

Things happen.

Things happen that puzzle us, confuse us, frustrate us. Life and ministry throw curve balls. It happens to the best of us. Then sometimes we make mistakes. Big ones.

It's how we handle those failures and disappointments that shape our character.

King David had some bad stuff happen. While he was out taking care of business, some folk came along and kidnapped his family and took his stuff. They even kidnapped the families of those who were working with him. What thoughts would run across your mind if you're out taking care of God's business and you come back and realize all you have is gone?

There was talk of killing David but scripture says David encouraged himself in the Lord.

David recovered all and from the number of Psalms attributed to him, I would conclude that he became better and not bitter.

When things don't go the way we planned, when we fail miserably, when we're embarrassed by those failures, when our name is dragged through the mud, at that very moment you have the choice of being better for the experience or bitter.

Many of us become bitter.

We don't see our part in the ordeal.

Maybe we rushed ahead of God, maybe we heeded unwise counsel, maybe we didn't count up the cost, maybe we refused to see; whatever the reason becoming bitter is a dangerous option.

Bitterness will espouse new doctrines to support itself. That bitterness reframes our teaching, our ministry, it taints the table we spread before the people.

In order to be better it means owning whatever part we played in the situation and then asking for forgiveness and then forgiving ourselves.

Good leaders own their mistakes, learn from them and become better.

Man and woman of God choose to be better, not bitter.

Lifting you in prayer,

Pastor Lisa

Read more...

Not Yours! Mine!

Shortly after my husband and I began serving as pastors, I heard the Lord say, "You have no people; I have people."

I had to respond in the words of my sister, "You sho' right."

Being called to lead is a call to serve.

It's a call to serve His people.

His Word declares:

Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion or constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly and cheerfully; Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation). And [then] when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will win the conqueror's crown of glory. -1 Peter 5:2-4 (Amplified Bible)

The people that we serve, the leadership staff that serves along with us are not pawns in a personal rise to the top or self-proclaimed quest to go to the nations. They are not stepping stones to "next levels/dimensions."

The people we serve are souls; precious souls which Jesus Himself gave His life. As leaders we watch for their souls according to Hebrews 13:17. When we lose this focus, when those around us are only valuable if they can advance our cause or agenda and are dismissed if they don't serve our purpose; then we find ourselves in a very dangerous place.

It's time to do a heart check.

As leaders we have to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23) against pride and fleshly agendas. We are commanded to love the Lord with all our heart, with all our soul and all our mind. When we fall out of love with our Savior, what is sacred becomes profane and we mishandle the holy. Touch not my anointed also refers to those in the pews; not just those in leadership positions.

When Holy Spirit gives gifts to men it is for the perfecting of the Body; not our personal desires or aspirations. When personal agendas skew your perspective, it's time to pray. It's time to return to our first love which is Jesus Christ.

Leaders, you have no people. They're not yours. They belong the Father. You belong to the Father and will be judged on how you handle them. Don't forget, we are called to serve and advance a spiritual kingdom; never our own.

God is saying, not yours...mine!

Read more...