The beauty of relating to other churches in not only our nation but from other nations as well is that the 5 fold giftings are more available to us as a body than ever. We, in our own congregation, do not have the full 5 giftings present – at this time – but we are connected to such a huge web of resources – that we look more like the New Testament – book of Acts – type church. Last week we had a couple who led a church in Leesburg, Virginia in our church and next week we have a couple who led a church in Pickering, Ontario coming in. That’s the beauty of team. They want nothing from us. They don’t take up their own offerings. They don’t give us a list of demands (and yes this does happen in churches today!). They simply give of themselves – freely – so that the body is edified, built up and made stronger. They are not in this for what they can get from us but what they can get into us!When we found these people, this “group” – we were at our wits end. Fed up with the politics of denominational churches and lonely from the isolation of independence, we wondered if we were done in ministry. My hubby spent an entire year just “looking in”. Listening to them, asking them questions, talking to others, wondering if it was all real. They were actually living it, breathing it, and not just talking and teaching it to others but actually doing what is seen in the New Testament church in Acts!! It’s been 5 wonderful and fruitful years since then and I know that it will only get better. We see an incredible acceleration coming. A momentum that can only be fuelled by our coming together, in unity – in team with one another!We are now linked to over 40,000 churches from around 60 nations and growing. We come together as friends and leave strengthened like brothers. Knowing what I’ve learned and know now… I would never go back to the way I knew church growing up or even how we “did” church 7 years ago! I have been liberated. I have finally found something that I could ask my children and my grandchildren to give their lives to – whole hearted with no reservations or regrets!
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We feel exactly the same way!
Oh girl, you make me cry happy “I know what you mean” tears!
“Knowing what I’ve learned and know now… I would never go back to the way I knew church growing up or even how we “did” church 7 years ago! I have been liberated. I have finally found something that I could ask my children and my grandchildren to give their lives to – whole hearted with no reservations or regrets!”
No pun intended, but PREACH IT, girl!!
For the past 5 years going to the NCMI training times have been a great springboard into the word, hearing from God and allowing God to stretch me in the way that I needed to grow. This year connecting with Bridgit and Anne and Deb at the LTT and once or twice during the year was special. Just knowing that the vine is so large. That someone out there is remembering you in prayer and vice versa.