Expert: Don Stevens - 10/12/2009

Question
QUESTION: While testing a local church for membership and leadership for 38 years with proven prophesy, I waited until dismissal to share a word confirmed needed to be spoken to the whole congregation with the pastor's permission. It was incredible and many blessed. I respect authority and as a non-member did not believe to do so. Yet, the senior pastor stated something I asked God for a confirmation. I asked the pastor's permission and shared yet after he was cool and never to do that again. He was in the military and controlling with the gifts not evident in the church after 6 weeks attending. He also stated his sermon was sufficient. So pride, control, limited meetings of once weekly, no gifts used so far are reasons not to join but I have limited worship services in the mountains of NC. We meet this week to discuss it. I believe in end days God gives few people a mission to visit and oversee services rendered without becoming a member to all. Afterall guest speakers do the same and not called to join. I have had churches of bullying and intimidating and to join is a covenant and I do not take lightly. Until I "know"  my covering I can not join. The same with a prophet but I did reveal 110 prophetic poems to him. In the service afer I held giving them he said "I love poems". I took this as the confirmation as I prayed to be clear to share. I still waited out of respect. Is this ever acceptable. Does not God govern giftings? I do understand If I did then anyone can...The pastor needs to set boundaries....Please respond to email address...We have a meeting Thirsday about this.

Sincerely,
Donna M Freeman

Below is a sample he saw written May 08 for Oct 3, 2008

A HOVERING CLOUD


FOR THE MAP WILL BE COVERED WITH A HOVERING BLACK CLOUD
AND MILLIONS OF VOICES WILL COMPLAIN OF DREAD OUT LOUD
A NATION BLANKETED BY A MOST DARKENED SHROUD
A GENERATION OF GREED TO THEIR CHILDREN ENDOWED
AN IRREVERENTIAL SEPARATION OF IT’S FOUNDATION ALLOWED
FROM THE ROOTS OF GODLINESS THEIR FATHER’S VOWED
THEY WILL ARISE IN CONFUSION FROM THE UNSACREDNESS PLOWED

A PENETRATING FORCE THE WORLD ALL AROUND
A VIBRATING RIPPLE OF DISCONTENT RESOUND
THE WORLD’S LEADERS IN ASTONISHMENT LOOK TO REBOUND
BUT THE TIDE OF LAWLESSNESS AGAINST FAITH DOTH POUND
A LANDSLIDE OF DESTRUCTION AGAINST TIME SURROUND
WILL GATHER WITH INTELLECTS UPON A GREAT MOUND
OF DEBT, DECEIT AND PRAISE LESS GROUND

FOR I HAVE SPOKEN THROUGH GENERATIONS OF PRIDE
TO REBELLIOUS PEOPLE WHO SEPARATED AND LIED
BUT THEY TOO WITH ARROGANT STUBBORNNESS DENIED
MY CREATIVE HAND AND BLESSINGS IN STRIDE
NEGLIGENT OF STEWARDSHIP INSTEAD ONLY RESIDE
ON EARTH’S MAJESTIC GLORY, MY GIFT ASIDE
FOR PERSONAL PLEASURE, MY LOVE IN THEM DENIED

BUT I SAY AS THE CLOUDS SEPARATE FOR A “NEW DAY”
THAT MY PEOPLE COLLECTIVELY RECOMMIT TO MY WAY
AND NOT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES DRIVEN TO STRAY
FOR “NEW LAWS” WILL NOT KEEP DARKNESS AT BAY
NOR CALAMITY OF DESTRUCTION AND CHAOS DELAY
RETURN THEREFORE TO THE SCROLL OF INDEPENDENCE DAY
A MANUSCRIPTED DIRECTION FOR ALL TIMES TO STAY!


ANSWER: Donna,
I liked your poem. I'm not certain I understand your question. I'm not certain I agree with denominational pastors having the authority over local churches as you claim. My study of biblical pastors in Scripture show me they should be an elder/shepherd/guide/overseer/teacher and that there should be several of them over a congregation and never just one! I believe that is for accountability and so that no one many becomes a local dictator exercising absolute authority over all in a local church.

Today, many denominational churches are not structured as biblical churches. In fact, the term church today does not mean the same as it meant in Scripture. Many churches don't assemble today as Christ's first church assembled. Worship does not seem to be "structured" today as it should be and certainly not as it was in the New Testament. I think worship in the New Testament was less "scripted" and less controlled by men. We should listen more to the Spirit and less to the thoughts of men. We should follow the Spirit and speak only as the Spirit gives us the words. I think many pastors believe THEY know better than God what THEIR church needs to hear. That's a shame.

When I study 1 Corinthians 14 I see Paul addressing many of the same issues you are asking me about. I see him instruct on the proper use of spiritual gifts in a Christian assembly. He shows how every member is responsible for edifying every other member. Speakers in assembly should speak as they are moved by the Spirit edifying all and giving glory to God. Everyone holds everyone accountable and everyone comes prepared with something to share that builds up the whole congregation. There is to be no more than two or three speakers and each is to take turns speaking as God moves them. If one is speaking and another gets a message from God then the first one sits down and lets the other speak, taking turns.

This is not practiced today in many Christian assemblies. It is to our shame and we miss many messages from God intended for THAT assembly.

We are mired down with several problems today in our modern churches. Few of them follow the Spirit as they should. Few follow the biblical instructions by Paul given for the proper exercise of spiritual gifts in the assembly. Few admit and take full advantage of those spiritually-gifted with the gift of prophecy and few give preference to the gift of prophesy in assembly each week. And many are expected to be edified by one man every week instead of everyone coming together each week to edify everyone else as God gives them the words.

So, your problem is not new. Many churches today are ruled by one man and he decides who speaks and who doesn't speak. That's a huge problem for you and God. You may have to find a different way to use your gift for God if local pastors are not following biblical ways in their assemblies.

Also, what do you mean by "covering". Where is that word found in Scripture? That seems like a denominational term to me.

Consider starting an assembly in your home with persons of varying spiritual gifts.

Let me know your thoughts. If you can get your question more specific I may be able to better answer you. I apologize if I have missed your question totally.

May God bless you as you seek ways to use the gifts to edify others and glorify him.

-Don

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Clarified:

  Just wrote a follow-up note prior to coming across this information.I think the answer is the difference between a local prophet in one given church and a trans-local prophet. The local prophet edifies, encourages and builds up the church he/she is committed to over a long duration while a trans-local prophet is called to go to various churches to not only do the former but may also be used to edify and exhort in corrections and warnings. Many local prophets stated my words were very powerful insights and not always cheery. In all of 2008 I felt like John The Baptist calling churches in my area to repent. Not for a day, week or month long services but "from now on". I stated the world will change as we know it if we do not do so ASAP. I have sensed an "urgency" since 2005 moving to the mountains in NC. Other than the economy not much else has changed other than greater government control. But it will...
  Thank You Don. If you can further expound on this point of the different prophets in the last question written for a response I believe it will be very beneficial for your readers.

  Sincerely,
  Donna M Freeman

Answer
Donna,
You could very well be correct. I think there is plenty of biblical examples where God has traveling prophets who come in totally unknown with a special message for local congregations or the Body of Christ universally!

If you believe we are living in the last days, there would be good reason for God to raise up such prophets to get his message out in many different ways through many different prophets and to use every means possible to communicate such a message. We have many ways available to us today. And, we have for the first time in history a truly global language, English, to speak that message to the whole world.

So, I am encouraging you to use any means and speak to any congregation that will allow you to speak the message God places in your heart with all humility and love as the Spirit directs.

The Spirit is in charge and the Spirit decides who gets which gift. It is then up to the prophet to determine how best to get that message out to help and inform those who will hear what "the Spirit says to the churches."

Blessings,
Don