Sometimes at church, we preach a message.  Other times we live a message.

For the last four years and more pertinently for the last four weeks we have been living a message.

It is a message that many people do not agree with.  It is a message that stirs the waters.  It is a message close to the heart of God and one engraved deeply in my own.  It is a message I want to write about here.

If you were to take a glance at our podcasts over the last fours years you may notice something a little different. If you were to look closely at the titles to the podcasts over the last four weeks you might notice something unique in the memo on the table.

For the last four years, Scott and I have Co-Pastored our new church.  For the last four years we have preached as a team.  For the last four weeks we have invited women to preach from the pulpit on Sunday mornings. 

The Doxology

Over the years I have heard ministers teach and preach against a practice such as ours.  The doxology has been something like this:

Women can teach, but only children and other women.

But we suffer her not to teach a man.

Women cannot be trusted with revelation, after all  Eve was deceived.

God will very occasionally use a women to bring a message, but only if a man is not available

This may be the tune to which many were raised or what they have been taught. This may be their belief.  This could even be what they are most comfortable or content with.  But none of that actually matters.  The only thing that does matter is this:  Does a belief system like this stand firm against the winds of truth that rise up in the study of God’s word? 

The History

I gave my life to The Lord at 17 years old.  I grew up in England.  A country where the monarch was a woman, the Prime Minister was a woman and the principle of my school was a woman. I, therefore, found it a bit perplexing that when I began church attendance, I was informed that women could not have authority…..because…you see…uhm…they are women.  And apparently God has not designed women for that kind of thing.

Truthfully, I was so radically impacted by God, who was more real than I could have imagined, that it didn’t matter.  As I read the bible, new and green, the words leapt from the page and I wrote sermon after sermon in my little book.  I liked teaching other women and kids and was content with that.

What Would People Think 

Well, the story goes on.  In short, I eventually ended up as part of an association of churches that believed women could preach and teach from the pulpit.  But, the “issue”, or shall I say, the fear of wrongdoing was not quieted in my own heart.

Fast forward:  In 2008 my husband and I moved to plant a church in Summerville, South Carolina.  Scott felt very strongly that we were BOTH to be in leadership, equally as Co-Pastors.  I was not too excited, being the “Pastor’s wife” seemed safer.  But, my husband is the spiritual leader of our home and I am committed to follow when he feels strongly about an issue.

As we dove into Sunday morning services I was wrestling with a concern. In the night-watches the fear of man hissed at me - what would people think -  that I was a cunning, power-thirsty female, lusting for authority, usurping my husband and pulling the wool over his eyes so I could run the show?  Unfortunately, I knew that this is how at least some people would see it.

Then, one night late, I was awake pondering and I poured out my complaint to the Lord.

Lord, I have heard a lot of teaching about what Paul meant and what he did not mean. One camp says this and another says that.  It’s historical, it’s cultural, it’s not cultural, it’s emphatic…..it’s excruciating!  Each theologian coming up with one more insight from hermeneutics or anthropology that outwits that last one.  I just want to know…what your heart is.

Read The Gospels 

I have come to cherish the freedom that touches my soul when I lay down the truth I know in order to look into the face of truth. And so, the whisper came so sweet and so unassuming.

Just read the gospels…I will show you MY heart.

So I did.  And there I found something quiet and sure.  There I acquired something I can stand upon.  As I read the gospels, I got the message.

I noticed three matters brought by revelation about Christ to mankind that are core to the Christian faith.

1. Jesus was to be born

2. Jesus was The Christ

3. Jesus rose again

No one can dispute that those truths are foundational to the Christian faith.  As I read the gospels, The Lord whispered something to my spirit.  He was sending a message.

In the gospel accounts, all three of these heavenly revelations were given first to women, who in turn communicated them to men.  This is an especially powerful message as it was so counterintuitive for that time and culture.

1. Mary was first visited by the angel with the news of Christ’s birth.  She then reported it to her husband.

2. The woman at the well was the first to whom Jesus revealed I who you speak to am He.  She ran to the village and told everyone about the man she had met.

3. Jesus resurrected, appeared first to the women and instructed them tell my brothers I have risen.

The Lord spoke to my heart a new song

Women can teach women, children and men about God.

Women can be trusted with revelation

God has redeemed Eve as much as He has redeemed Adam.

Stephanie Jones and her husband, Scott, are the Pastors of New Day Church in Summerville, South Carolina. They met and fell in love at Catch the Fire’s SOM in Toronto, Canada in 1998 and now have 4 gorgeous children. Stephanie also has a book titled, “The Upside Down Kingdom”.

I’ve been part of the 40 day fast and despite days where it’s been challenging (seriously, ever seen a British person without tea for a month???!!!) I’m reaching the stage where I’m starting to see the effects of being more deliberate about pressing into God, and really starting to see the fulfillment of God’s word that those who sow in tears reap in joy. Well OK, so there were no actual literal tears but no tea and no chocolate for a quick ‘pick-me-up’ meant it was a close thing sometimes!!! Even without the actual tears the principle remains true. When we invest in something God has directed which may be challenging or even painful, He honours that with results that bring joy – even if it takes a while to see them.

Fasting my usual survival methods means I’ve had to look to God much more for even the day to day living out of what’s a pretty busy schedule. It’s caused me to re-tune myself to his voice; going to Him and not the kettle when things are crazy, and listening first to Him in tiny details he was always speaking but that I was ignoring in my independence when it comes to everyday things. Through that I’ve found myself much more aware of his voice and of him whispering even little things like ‘Yes, take time out and meet with that person’. I’ve obeyed even if it didn’t make sense and found constant blessing. Hearing him in more of the little things has ended up with testimonies like being part of someone’s salvation last night, being blessed with a testimony of getting some expert advice and $220 worth of sporting goods for $93, amazing life-giving conversations that release healing, hearing God say ‘commit to buying that for X’ not knowing when I could do it and finding that when I got home after making the commitment the money appeared in my Paypal.

I could give countless other examples. In each one God has also been reminding me of other truths. Like how he likes to bless abundantly and he cares about all the things we care about, big or small. It’s actually been a crazy ten days FULL of these kind of ‘little’ gifts from God that have so many layers and all build up be pretty amazing. All because I was obedient to his call to fast and gave up something that ultimately is so small but that caused me to be more dependent on Him.

This began happening for me as we reached week four of the fast. So can I just encourage you that setting things aside for the sake of pressing in for more of God is ALWAYS worth it. It may not be easy. We may not immediately see the effects, but God is faithful and keeps his promises. What you sow in tears you WILL reap in joy and you’ll find yourself, others and circumstances changed by this season. Spiritual disciplines like fasting or Bible study may seem laborious or challenging or even (dare I say it) legalistic, but ultimately we’re blessed as they realign us with God and His purposes, and it increases the depth of our relationship with him as we look to him to give us the grace we need to press in. It’s SO worth it. HE is worth it.

Jo Dunbar is an intern with the Youth Department at Catch the Fire Toronto and also with the Toronto House of Prayer. She is from the United Kingdom and her eternal love and devotion can be bought with British chocolate and tea.

You’re a great worship leader, but how’s your heart?

The role of a worship leader has always been an important one in the life of our local churches, but have we started down the wrong path? 

I have a pastor friend from New York State who tells me, “We don’t have a worship leader, so we use CDs”.  My first reaction was” Wow, that’s too bad. Lord, bring someone into that poor little church and help them”. Then he began to tell me that they have the most amazing worship times and God actually shows up. How is this possible without a Worship leader or a band? Is someone trying to pull a fast one on me? 

I’m not saying this to tell all of you to get rid of your worship teams and put on a CD, but I am telling you to take a step back and see who and what we are focused on.

For years as a worship leader in a local PIH church, I was able to come in on a Sunday, do my thing and leave before anyone asked me how I was and where my heart was at. We had great worship and God moved in the lives and hearts of the congregation, but my relationship with the Father was a mess. 

Over the years I have learned and struggled through many different challenges. One of the greatest was, leaning on my own understanding. In other words, am I doing this out of talent or am I leaning on the Father? I found myself in my worship room one day just sitting and not really saying anything to God. I find myself doing this a lot. Just sitting in His presence is a good place to be. I didn’t hear an audible voice, but just that sense that He was pleased with me and He loved me no matter how talented I was. He didn’t care what I sang or how I sang it. He did care that I was a mess inside.  All He said was, “Kevin, you’re a good Son. Worship leading is what you do, it’s not who you are, you’re My son”. 

You see, first and foremost we are His sons and daughters and nothing we do right or wrong will ever change how He thinks about us.

Leviticus 6:12 talks about God giving instructions to Moses about the altar and how to keep the fire burning. “The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it.”

God so longs to be with His people that He’s willing to go to great measures to be surrounded by our praise. The altar was a place of offering and the offering was an act of worship. The key to keeping the fire burning was the fuel, the act of a priest, and the love and commitment of a creator to His creation.

Everyday, we as worshippers have to become the fuel for his fire, we have to become his burning ones. We have an obligation. NO! A command to lift up the glorified Christ in our lives and worship. When we stand before our churches on Sunday mornings and lead them into the thrown room of the Most High God, will we stand with pure hearts and clean minds? Will we commit just as the priests did in Leviticus 6 and never let the fire of His Holy Spirit go out? Will we host His presence and step out of the way during worship and allow him to do what He needs to do?

So let me ask you again, you’re a great worship leader, but how’s your heart? 

Nigel & June Hamilton have a ministry under Partners in Harvest called To the Nations!. Their primary goal is encouraging, training and equipping pastors and church leaders. They primarily work in Africa, India & Nepal. Nigel and June visit the Life Foundation, where Jason and Andrea Cobb are reaching out to the poor, the persecuted and the broken of India’s hill people.

Hidden away in a remote mountainous region of one of India’s poorest states is a place where, for over two years, a group of children and young people have been experiencing the realities of heaven on a daily basis.  Some have come out of the fires of persecution, seeing their parents killed and then living in the forests for months. Many have been physically and sexually abused, but have found safety in the Life Foundation Children’s Home.  Here, among the poor, the destitute, the weak and helpless, the Presence of Jesus has come in an amazing and precious way.

Each day, morning and evening, the children gather for worship and prayer.  Then they pray for one another and very quickly they are gone!  While their bodies rest in the Spirit, they are transported to heaven, where they meet Jesus, speak with him and meet many others.  There are special places that they go to.  Those who have been sexually abused seem to spend a lot of time dancing in the fire with Jesus.  Then they go to the snow mountains, where they play.  This seems to be about the impartation of purity.  They have met many Bible characters and can describe their conversations with them, reporting details that they, with a limited knowledge of the Bible would not have known, but are always true.  They see Jesus’ Palace and have houses of their own.  They have seen the “spare parts room” as well as rooms set aside for worship, for angels, for music, for food and so on.  They have seen the golden river and jumped off a bridge into the river – though on earth they cannot swim!  There are many gardens that they have visited, gardens where they play, where there are butterflies, where there are animals, and where there are flowers.

When they come back, they can describe who they have met and what they have done.  Sometimes they meet one another and play together or go to the snow mountains together.  They corroborate each other when they have met in heaven.

The way in which time passes when they are in heaven seems very different from here on earth. During a short time on earth, a lot happens in heaven.  Jason and Andrea have been given the ability to pastor this special outpouring of grace.  They have learned to call the children back from heaven when it is time for a meal, for school, for homework.  And they are teaching them from the Word of God, grounding them in the truth and in the Father’s unconditional love.  

In the whole time that we were there (six days), we never heard a cross or angry word from child, young person, or from the staff.   There is a quietness of spirit that is in all of them, never any clamour, and things are not done to get attention.  It was astonishing to see this in a group of over 50 seriously damaged children and young people.  What we saw was the Presence of God bringing light out of darkness, order out of chaos, life out of death, peace out of turmoil.  It can only be His Presence that brings such transformation.  Laughter instead of quarreling, gentleness, serving hearts, worship; honouring instead of bullying or obsequiousness;  joy instead of sorrow, abundance instead of barrenness,  delight in His creation; healing instead of pain, beauty for ashes; quietness of spirit instead of clamour.  These are the marks of a true work of the Spirit, the coming of the Kingdom of heaven and Presence of the King.