I greatly appreciate the questions that have been sent in to us. I am sorry it has been so long since I have been able to answer them. Please understand that I do have many personal duties and responsibilities. However, I really love getting these questions from you. They are not only stimulating, but they help me to understand what key issues are on the hearts of many Christians, how our materials are being received and understood, or in some cases misunderstood.
Thanks for sending them in, and thank you for your patience.
For those of you who have further questions, please consider the following:
Please include your name, email address, or some way to contact you with your questions.
Please be brief and to the point.
This is a format for sincere questions, so please do not try to use this as a format for sharing your own opinion or position.
The overwhelming majority of questions that we receive are great. However, when the tone of a question is angry, hard, demanding or bitter, at the least, I do not take it as being from a source that is mature enough to respond to at that time, and will therefore discard it.
Again, thanks for your patience, and I really do appreciate real questions that are asked sincerely. I do hope to be able to start addressing some again very soon.
Q: What is your view or belief concerning “the local church”?
A: This is a great question. Our view is very simple.
First of all, let me quote what one man wrote:
“We must always be sure to distinguish between the Lord's invisible, universal, spiritual Church (the Ecclesia) and the non-profit religious organization that meets in a building with a steeple on top. The difference is incalculable, and we dare not make the mistake of confusing the two.”
The true Church of Jesus Christ is made up of those who have yielded their lives to Him and Him alone and have allowed their hearts to be the habitation of God through the Spirit (Eph. 2:20-22).
Contrary to popular thought, the Church is not a conglomeration of buildings, non-profit organizations, networks or denominations; it is comprised of living stones, flesh-and-blood believers, who are “born from above” and live endlessly dependant upon the gracious guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, hearing and obeying Him in every area of life (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 6:16; 1 Pet. 2:4-5; Rev. 3:12).
“Church buildings” - or “steeple houses” as one puritan used to call them - are no holier than any other locations (i.e. homes, hillsides, public parks, open fields, etc.). The actual church building has nothing to do with the eternal purpose of God; it's just a meeting place. Those who are “born again,” by faith in the saving power of the Blood of Jesus, are the Church of Jesus the Christ; they are His dwelling place. And while this may be “disallowed indeed of men,” it is “chosen of God, and precious” (1 Pet. 1:4-5).
As for “going to church,” we believe it is neither right nor wrong. “Going to church” does not make one a “Christian” any more than being in a garage makes one an automobile; and a car can be a car whether it’s in a garage or not.
The truth is - everyone must be convinced in his or her own mind, from the Lord, as to what they should do in this matter. And yet, the Scriptures are clear - “church” is not about “buildings” or “locations;” it is not somewhere you “go.” The Church of Christ is who we “are” every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every year. If Jesus is our Head, our Lord and Leader, then we “are” His Body; if He is our Husband and Father, then we “are” His family; going to a “church building” on Sunday morning is indifferent to this God-written equation.
Assembling ourselves together with fellow believers, according to Hebrews 10:25, is not limited to “church functions.” When two or three or more believers gather together, in the name of Jesus, focused upon Him, they will experience the wonderfulness of His personal, glorious Presence (Matt. 18: 20). If two or three or more choose to walk in the Light, as Christ Himself is in the Light, they will have fellowship with one another far beyond anything they could ever imagine (1 Jn. 1:7).
And this kind and quality of fellowship can take place anywhere, at any time, under any circumstances for it's all a matter of the heart being in submission to the Spirit and Word of Jesus Christ.
However, it's interesting to notice the reactions directed at those who do not “go to church” even though “going to church” does not matter. It is apparent that “church buildings” have become much more than mere buildings of wood, brick and steal; they've truly become objects of worship while “church,” itself, has become a “god.” The time is coming when all these things that we adore will be shaken (See Lk. 21:5-6).
As it relates to the term “local church,” I have never really understood this term even though I have asked the question many times. My definition of “local church” is very simple – Wherever two or three or more are joined together, in Jesus’ name, by His Spirit and Word, with a desire to be with Him, He is there in the midst of them (Matt. 18:20). This is the definition of the Church of Jesus Christ according to the early church and church history in general. But, somehow, it's become something much more complex.
Notice, the ONLY criterion, set by the Lord was that 2 or 3 (or more) believers had to meet in His name in order for Him to show up (Some examples of where this happened can be found in John 20:19, 26). That sums it up for me. Jesus never said anything about certain “buildings” or certain meeting “times” – He left this wide open in order to maintain liberty in the Holy Spirit. But religion tends to always complicate what the Lord meant to be simple.
[Note: Much of what the Lord has reformed in my heart and mind concerning “church,” has been confirmed, time and time again, by different people such as Chip Brogden, Frank Viola, Wayne Jacobsen and Gene Edwards. I highly recommend their resources.]
Q: But don’t our children need to “go to church”?
A: We believe children need to be integrated into the life of God through relational fellowship with other radical, non-religious, non-political believers. Children need to see their parents living in the love, life and power of Christ, both personally (within the context of home-life) and collectively (within the context of Body-life), for themselves, apart from religious amusement, liturgy and form.
“92% of children who grow up in Sunday schools with all the puppets and high-powered entertainment, leave 'church' when they leave their parents' home.” (Wayne Jacobsen)
The “old-time-religion” methods are not working. Besides, it's primarily the parent’s responsibility to model the Good News for their children, each and every moment of each and every day. They need to see their parents loving all men unconditionally. They need to see the demonstration of the power of God (faith, miracles, healings, signs and wonders) through their parents. They need to be exposed to the reality of prophetic/spiritual experiences (dreams, visions, trances, heavenly visitations, etc.) through their parents. They need to hear their parents praying with the tongues of men (in their native language) and of angels (in tongues). They need to see their parents spending personal, intimate, devotional time with the Lord [This is how I came to the Lord myself. When I was four, I walked in on my mom as she was spending time with the Lord, on her knees. She was weeping. And being the four year I was, I asked her if she was sad. She said see was just weeping because she loved Jesus so much. This made me want to know this love too and so I was “born again.”].
But this means the parents will need to “step it up” (if they haven’t already); they need to “take responsibility” for the spiritual health and well-being of their children. The responsibility lies with the parents and extended family of the children, not with “church workers” or “preachers.”
Our children need to know that those who are born-again and Spirit-filled, ARE the Church of Jesus Christ every moment of every day. They need to understand the vast difference between the religious church and the Body of Christ. They need to experience “the LIFE of Christ,” in their homes, in the car, in the grocery store, in the park, in the back yard, in their dreams…wherever they are at any given moment, for the love of God.
Spiritual behavior is learned behavior. And no one can influence a child more than their parents. So, parents, it's time to BE the change you want to see in your kids.
Q: Why did you leave the “church”?
A: I’m glad this question has been asked. For us, the answer is quite simple, as it should be:
When we left the organized “church,” we did so because our purpose, in Christ, was and is much larger than the capacity of the “traditional church.” If the truth were told, the denominational/non- denominational “church system” is not open and cannot hold the enormity of all the Lord is seeking to build within the hearts of every man, woman, boy and girl who loves Him; the “four walls” of the established, business-as-usual “church” will never be big enough.
In other words, using Jesus’ own terminology, the “New Wine” of what He is pouring out and stirring up, in this time, in the hearts of His people, will not, and really cannot, be put into the “old wineskins” of orthodox churchianity; they're simply incompatible. Those who dare to force the “New Wine” into the crusty, inflexible structures or paradigms of “old wineskins” will face a traumatic end. As Jesus said, “…The new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled and the skins will be destroyed.” Thus, “new wine must be put into new wineskins” (Lk. 5:37-38).
Why did we leave the “church”? We left the established, commonly-accepted church for the same reason an eagle would break out of a bird cage; the eagle was born to fly, not “warm the perch” or “the pew” for that matter. We are not chickens, pecking at the ground; we're eagles and so are those who are willing and courageous enough to “follow the Lamb wherever He goes.”
In the 2007 Shepherd’s Rod, Bob Jones and Keith Davis shared some valuable insights for 2007, one of which is the following: “…There is an unseen force compelling many believers out of complacency or rigid religious formality...it is divine destiny. Something has been imparted into the spiritual DNA of this generation that rejects the ‘lukewarm’ laodicean spirit that has so subtlety deceived many.”
Why did we leave? Because the pillar of fire moved and we moved with it. I personally had had many indications from the Lord that it was time to establish an “out-of-the-box” house of prayer, or as the Lord called it, “waiting meetings,” where “all nations” (anyone) could come and meet, face to face, with the Lord - not a man, not a “church,” not a religious obligation, not a “party-line” “pet” doctrine, not a popular new concept of devotion - but the Lord Himself.
I know there are many who will not understand this, but that is not our concern. “...Am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ” (Gal 1:10, AMP).
All we know is that the purpose for which we (and you) are here, in this world, is not according to man or the will of man (Gal. 1:11). Therefore, the only Church we will be joined to is the one that is being built upon the foundation of the Kingdom of Heaven and not the kingdoms of this world.
When the Lord separated us from “the system” and called us through His grace, so that He could take us into a deeper place in Him, where He could reveal Himself in us, we “did not immediately confer with flesh and blood” (Gal. 1:15-17); nor did we go to those who were “reputed to be something” in the religious community, “though what was their individual position and whether they really were of importance or not makes no difference to me; God is not impressed with the positions that men hold and He is not partial and recognizes no external distinctions” (Gal. 2:6, Amp)
Our response to the call of God, into the wilderness, was that of immediate compliance (Num. 9:15-23). We “were not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19, KJV).
And though many would blame our leaving on bitterness, unforgiveness or resentment, I simply cannot say because I do not know. I am sure there was much in me that was not right. I do not believe my heart was 100% pure when we left. The heart of man is deceitfully wicked, who can know it? I cannot say that our motives were 100% faultless; again, the heart of man is deceitfully wicked, who can know it? I will not say that my heart was full of love and compassion when we came out; only the Lord knows.
All we know is we are little sheep who have but one responsibility: to follow our Shepherd wherever He goes. And whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to men and obey men rather than God, we all must decide (Acts 4:19).
I remember, a while back, speaking with an “elder” at the church we used to attend concerning those who had been leaving the church. I recall referring to them, in the conversation, as those whom John was speaking of in First John 2:19 (Amp): “They went out from our number, but they did not [really] belong to us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. But [they withdrew] that it might be plain that they all are not of us.”
In hindsight, I see the foolishness of my arrogance in quoting this. Little did I know I had taken this statement, by John, out of context, in order to fit it into what that church was experiencing at that time. How could I be sure that this verse fit into this situation? How could I have presumed to speak so hastily and so arrogantly? I thought those who were leaving were doing so out of rebellion against the Lord. I thought they were running from the Truth. I thought they were in error. And when they used statements like, “Well, the Lord is leading us on,” I would think, “Sure, use the Lord to validate your foolishness” or “Sure, hide behind the Lord; you have no idea what you’re talking about.” Then I would finish by saying to myself, “They didn’t hear from God.”
Who was I to think that they needed to stay in the "church system"? Who was I to impose such a law, such a bondage? Who was I to think that “the Truth” was only in “the church” building? And who was I to think they hadn’t heard from the Lord? Obviously, I had the Lord in a box that I couldn’t even see, while in the system.
And yet, you know, the Lord has a wonderful sense of humor. Because not long after I had quoted the above-mentioned verse to that “elder,” the Lord took us out of that very same church. Talk about divine humiliation!
Today, there are many who have abandoned us because we no longer attend “church services” at “church buildings.” They say they are “concerned” about us. And though I have tried, on several occasions to stay in contact with them, I've received no responses. I suppose our strangeness has made us strangers.
Nevertheless, our stance, since the beginning, remains the same: There is no need to be concerned about us. There is no need to be worried. We have not discarded Christ or His beautiful Body. We have merely left orthodox Churchianity. Our daily lives prove this to be so as the Lord is our witness. But only those who have chosen to love us, in our differences, have seen this to be so.
And now, though our hearts are imperfect, they remain wide open to all men, regardless of what they believe, where they “go to church” or how long they’ve been a Christian.
Now that we are on the outside of “the system,” we have - believe it or not and like it or not - discovered a freedom and a liberty in Christ that far transcends anything we knew while in “the system.” Our eyes and ears are clearer and far more sensitive to the Lord's voice. His Word is sweeter.
Q: Do you believe “home/cell groups” are supposed to replace the traditional concept of “church”?
A: No. As I said before, “being” a part of the Body of Christ has nothing to do with “where” you “go to church” or “when” you “go to church” or anything of the sort - Please, let’s not major on the minors and let us not complicate what God meant to be simple.
It all comes down to one specific question: “WHO” are you following? Who is your master? Who is your Lord? Are you following religious obligation, guilt, shame or peer pressure? Or are you following the Good Shepherd? Are you following men or the Lord?
No matter “where” you go, you must allow yourself to be continually directed by the wisdom, truth and love of the Spirit of Jesus in your heart, apart from what men - even “ordained,” seminary-trained ministers - say. As Paul says, in Romans 3:4 (KJV), “Let God be true, but EVERY man a liar.” In other words, "If you have to choose between God and man, His Word and man's words, choose God cause He IS Truth and every man isn't."
Where we “go to church” is not as important as the spiritual condition of our hearts in the Lord. The true Church of Jesus Christ is made up of those who live, move and have their being in Christ. There is nothing special about church buildings or even a home for that matter; so we should not get hung-up on such minor issues. There are many who esteem one thing over another and will fight to prove their points but I cannot do this – I do not want blood on my hands. We can only agree with the Lord in that which He has given to us, for us (Rom. 14:5). Who are any of us to impose anything on anyone?
Those who love the Lord with everything in them will follow Him wherever He goes, no matter where or when that is. We only encourage people to keep their hearts and ears open to the direction of the Lord, as they will, in the end, stand before Him…not men or churches.
Q: Who’s your “covering”? Who do you answer to? To whom are you accountable?
A: The Lord is our “covering” (see Ps. 91:4; Isa. 30:1; Matt. 21:23-27; Mk. 11:28-33; Lk. 20:2-8). Like the disciples, our calling, as bondservants, is by the will of God, not men (Gal. 1:1, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1 Tim. 1:1; 2 Tim. 1:1; Tit. 1:1; Jam. 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:1; Jude 1:1). So we are accountable to Him; He is our shelter, our strong tower (Ps. 61:3), and under His shadow we find and enjoy rest (Ps. 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 91:1-2; Song 2:3; Isa. 22:17).
In addition, we are also submitted to the Body of Christ out of reverence for Christ (Eph. 5:21). We are co-equally yielded to all who carry the Spirit of Truth and Counsel within their hearts.
On a more personal note, I am also mutually submitted to my wife as we are heirs together in the grace of life (1 Pet. 3:7) [Notice, I used the word “mutually” and “together;” I am not “over” her, just as she is not “over” me. We are co-equals, jointly and co-operatively yielded to our Lord.]
For some, these "coverings" are not enough, so the Lord has graciously provided additional "covering" through our dear friend, brother and father in the faith, Rev. Wade E. Taylor of Parousia Ministerial Fellowship (www.wadetaylor.org). Wade is a very dear counselor to me when I need him.
Q: What is your view concerning “church leadership”?
A: This is another excellent question.
First of all, the world’s "ideal" of leadership shares no similarity whatsoever to Heaven’s. Jesus made this very clear by the words He spoke and the life He lived (Take some time to study the following passages: Matt. 20:25-28; Mk. 10:34-45; Lk. 22:24-27; Matt. 23:1-12, Mk. 12:38-40; Lk. 20:46-47.).
[For an in-depth study of these differences, I highly recommend that you read “Who’s Your Covering” by Frank Viola.]
With all that said, let me just say that my definition of the purpose of Christian leadership is very simple.
I believe John the Baptist is an excellent type of a true New Testament Leader.
This man had one chief assignment: To bring people to a place where they could know the Lord Himself for themselves, without his mediation.
He had no desire to be seen or praised or known. He just wanted to do his “small” part and get out of the way as soon as possible.
John 3:25-36 is incredibly telling of John’s heart to exalt the Lord above Himself. In this passage, John's disciples and the Jews came to him to notify him of a very serious matter:
“Rabbi, you know the One [Jesus] who was with you on the other side of the Jordan? The One you authorized with your witness? Well, He's now competing with us. He's baptizing, too, and everyone's going to Him instead of us.” (Message)
Can you hear the selfish, “us-four-and-no-more” tone in what these men are saying? These are the words of those whose “ministries” point to themselves and not to the Lord. They wanted the masses to be drawn to them, to focus on them and their vision…their plan. They saw anyone who was ministering around them as “competition” and condemned those who were not in their particular “club” (Mk. 9:38; Lk. 9:49). This is the way the world thinks.
But John’s point of view was from Heaven, for He said…
27) “It's not possible for a person to succeed - I'm talking about eternal success - without heaven's help.
28) “You yourselves were there when I made it public that I was not the Messiah but simply the one sent ahead of Him to get things ready.
29) “The one who gets the Bride is, by definition, the Bridegroom. And the Bridegroom's friend, his 'best man' - that's me - in place at His side where he can hear every word, is genuinely happy. How could he be jealous when he knows that the wedding is finished and the marriage is off to a good start? That's why my cup is running over.
30) “This is the assigned moment for Him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.
31) “The One who comes from above is head and shoulders over other messengers from God. The earthborn is earthbound and speaks earth language; the Heavenborn is in a league of His own.
32) “He sets out the evidence of what He saw and heard in heaven. No one wants to deal with these facts.
33) “But anyone who examines this evidence will come to stake his life on this: that God himself is the truth.
34) “The One that God sent speaks God's words. And don't think he rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces.
35) “The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to Him so He could give it away — a lavish distribution of gifts.
36) “That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn't see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that.” (Jn. 3:27-36, Message)
This is a profound for it outlines the simplicity of what Kingdom leadership is really all about.
We all have a responsibility, as leaders, within the sphere of our lives, to bring people, whom God calls, to Him so that they can know Him - face to face and heart to heart - in the same way that a wife knows her husband (See 2 Cor. 11:2) . Our life-assignment is to introduce mankind to the Lord while we “slip off to the sidelines.”
The Lord is “the main event.” We are merely “the opening act.” If we do not understand this, we will get in the way by overstaying our welcome on the stage that is meant for Him alone. If we do not understand that our part is just a “brief assignment,” we will, whether we believe it or not, become a stumbling block to those who were born to see and know only the Lord…not us.
As Chip Brogden once wrote, “The goal of all Spirit-led ministry is to bring people TO CHRIST, tenaciously, even relentlessly…Paul said we preach not ourselves, but Christ. All attempts to gain a following unto ourselves must be ruthlessly stopped. There can be no place for glorying in our selves, or in the works of our hands. If our ministry, work, or service does not continually give Christ the preeminence, if it does not constantly point away from us and unto Him, then we cannot call what we are doing the Lord's work.”
This is the greatest weakness among leaders – getting out of the way. The fallen nature, with its many insecurities, loves to be “seen of men” (Matt. 6:5) for it loves “the praise of men” (Jn. 12:43, KJV).
However, those who lead, from the perspective of Heaven, will live and serve to the beat of a different drummer. Like John the Baptist, their only desire will be to do their part and “get out of the way.”
Again, as John said, “The one who gets the Bride is, by definition, the Bridegroom. And the Bridegroom's friend, his ‘best man’ - that's me - in place at His side, where he can hear every word, is genuinely happy. How could he be jealous when he knows that the wedding is finished and the marriage is off to a good start? That's why my cup is running over. This is the assigned moment for Him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.” (Jn. 3:29-30, Message)
This is true New Testament leadership.
Let me deal with something else here while we’re on the subject…
A true spiritual leader should maintain a temporary, short-term place in the lives of people. Think about it – if one leader is managing the same group of people, the same congregation, for 5, 10, 15, 20 or more years, there is a serious problem.
Consider this: Jesus’ own ministry to his disciples, of introducing them to the Father, of “duplicating Himself” in them and “working Himself OUT of the job,” only took 3.5 years – this should tell us something. Jesus restored, equipped and released His disciples and then left them alone, with His indwelling Spirit, to finish what He started in the earth.
I know there are many who “talk” about this kind of leadership but who is doing it? Honestly! Who is “working themselves OUT of the job” so that, those who have been equipped, can “take over”? As I have said before: There are very few true equippers and there are even fewer releasers. The Lord wants His leaders to equip the saints AND release the saints, so that He can move them on to repeat the process over and over again until the earth is full of Light.
Jesus knew the importance of “making disciples” in a timely, proficient manner. He knew how to reproduce Himself quickly, efficiently and thoroughly. And His work was so well done, deep within His disciple’s hearts, that He even gave them HIS OWN AUTHORITY; and remember, He did all of this within a short period of time. Do you recall when He sent out the 12 and the 70? He did this shortly after His ministry began.
Jesus was a man Who knew His place (under the Father), did His job (worked and modeled Kingdom ministry and made disciples) and got out of the way (at the Cross).
We would do well to study Jesus’ brand of leadership – it’s unlike much of what is seen today. But He is the Pattern Son. Go read the Gospels – it'll startle you. It did me!
And when you see Him, as He really is, GO and imitate Him, not men. This is what the School of the Spirit is: It's the School of Christ.
Q: What makes you think you're qualified to be a minister? What makes you think you are qualified to establish and facilitate a ministry, let alone a school of ministry? Who do you think you are?
A: Well, quite frankly, I'm not qualified. All I know is that He called me and I said "Yes," and I continue to say everyday.
I was born again at the age of four and filled with the Holy Spirit a little later. Since then I have been running, hard, after the Lord. I graduated from MorningStar School of Ministry but that was non- accredited, so, to many, that really means nothing when it comes to "credentials" or "qualifications." My resume is not that impressive. My list of references is not very long (and it may be shortening by the day). In many ways, when compared to all the saints, I am the least qualified and yet Christ called me.
One of my greatest encouragements comes from what Paul said in First Corinthians 1:26-29: "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."
Everyday, I find myself becoming more and more foolish, weak, lowly and despised, when it comes to the qualifications of what this world calls wise, strong and great. This does not concern me. That which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.
All I know is that I love God with everything in me and He's helping me to love Him more everyday. I've given my life to Him; therefore, it no longer belongs to me. If I'm a fool, I'm His fool. I am who I am, by the gracious and merciful will of God, not men. Whatever is good in me, is His doing; whatever is bad, is mine. He alone does all things well; I'm just a lump of clay.
But as it relates to qualifications, I am reminded of a statement I heard many years ago: "The Lord doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called." He did this with Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Jonah, Jeremiah, Peter, Stephen, John, Jude and many many others (Go and read the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11). So, if you're like me - an un-qualified and non-credentialed lump of clay - then you are in great company; we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1).
When I mingle with other ministers, I'm fully aware of my lack, when compared to them. And yet, I know it's not wise to compare myself with other men or women of "the cloth." All I can do is follow the Lord wherever He leads; I'm not good for much more.
Q: Who gave you the authority to be a minister, to say what you say and do what you do?
A: Well, consider this: John's baptism, was it of God or of men? Was John called by God or men? The answer to this question is the answer to the first question. Selah.
Let me be honest, when it comes right down to the "bare bones," I don't believe any of us - including every "leader" everywhere - has any authority at all; we are all nothing without the Lord. All authority in Heaven and on earth belongs to Jesus alone and He alone choses with whom He will share His power. In the days of His flesh, He shared His authority with His disciples, those who had chosen to follow Him wherever He went.
Now I would never presume to boast that I am "His disciple." I can only say that I am grateful He called me to Himself, to be His disciple, His friend, by His grace. And please understand, I am not a great disciple (Sometimes, I am faithful, like John, while, at other times, I am faithless, like Peter) and I am certainly not a poster boy for "intimate friendship with God" (I struggle just like everyone else). Therefore, whatever authority or anointing I have is based on whatever He thinks I can handle, at any given moment, based on what He and I share together in life and service; and I am glad he only gives me what I can handle. My only prayer is that He would help me to grow and develop in my relationship with Him and in the fruit of His character, so that He can trust me more, with what He wants to share with me, as a friend.
So, in short, to answer the question, whatever authority I have is from the Lord, Who alone has it to give.
Q: Are you submitted to a "local church"?
A: I am primarily submitted to Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church (Eph. 5:25; Heb. 12:9; Jam. 4:7).
I am also mutually-submitted, in love, to the universal Body of Christ, out of reverence for Christ (1 Cor. 16:15-16; Eph. 5:21).
My arms are wide open to every church, everywhere, not just the "local church." Please understand, I do not limit myself to a "local church" or "denomination" in any way as they often tend to be limited to that which is politically agreeable to them, on the "local" and "denominational" basis. My personal vision and purpose is local, regional, national and global as well as multi-denominational. That is why I have my vision set on the whole Body of Christ. Nothing in this world can compare to the unlimited power, potential and influence of His multi-faceted, universal Body.
There are a few pastors, in Wilson, to whom I am mutually-accountable. They are wise counsellors to me.
Q: Do you have any particular denominational affiliation(s)?
A: No, I don't. I am a part of the universal Body of Christ. In many ways, I am multi-denominational; in other words, I'm a Baptist (I believe in water baptism); I am a Presbyterian (I believe in the anointed ministry of the Presbytery); I am a Methodist (I believe there are many methods that Christ has called us to observe); I am a Pentecostal (I believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and all that comes with Him filling our lives); I am a Catholic (I believe in the Universal Church); I am a Charismatic (I believe and function in the gifts, ministries and manifestations of the Holy Spirit).
In short, I am a little of every Christian denomination as I believe there is some truth in all of them; therefore, I refuse to stiff-arm any one person or denomination, because I need the whole Body to be whole myself.
Q: What is your calling? Are you an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher? What are your gifts? What is your ministry?
A: Well, the way I see it, Jesus Christ is THE Apostle, THE Prophet, THE Evangelist, THE Pastor and THE Teacher. He has every gift, with Him and within Him, because He IS every good gift, in one wonderful Person (He is FULL of wonder). In other words, as Paul said, the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus; and He lives in the heart of every born again, Spirit-filled bondservant of the Father. Therefore, the fullness of the Godhead lives in us.
So, to answer your question: I am whatever He needs me to be, in Him, at any given time, in any given situation. To use the old tool-box analogy, I have every tool at my disposal, in Christ, to do whatever He asks me to do, with Him, at any given moment, in bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to the Earth.
Now, of course, every craftsman tends to have their own favorite tool or tools just like every bondservant tends to favor a specific gift-mix, based upon their personal, spiritual makeup. I, for one, ten to lean toward teaching and prophetic ministry; therefore, I tend to focus on and communicate "present truth" or that which the Spirit of Truth is speaking and doing today, in the present. In many ways, this works out perfectly, because I enjoy training the people of God in prophetic ministry; as Moses stated, "I wish that ALL the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!" (Num. 11:29)
Q: Is Inner Life Ministries affiliated with Rick Joyner's MorningStar Fellowship Church and Ministries?
A:Neither FrontLines School of the Spirit (FSOS) nor Inner Life Ministries is affiliated with MorningStar Ministries, MorningStar Fellowship Church or any of their related ministries.
While Joel Killion, founder of FSOS and Inner Life Ministries is a graduate of MorningStar School of Ministry (MSM) and has been (and is currently) a member of the MorningStar Fellowship of Ministries (Level II), no other affiliation with or endorsement of FrontLines School of the Spirit or Inner Life Ministries, or of Joel Killion by MorningStar Ministries or MorningStar Fellowship of Ministries is implied or intended. Mention of the name MorningStar Ministries, MorningStar School of Ministry, or any other MorningStar entity is only in relation to attendance at conferences, seminars, schools or other events offered by them or our personal recommendations of materials or events offered by them.
While we appreciate MorningStar's ministry to us personally and to the body of Christ at large, we wish to make it clear that our ministry and theirs are very separate entities.