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| PART 7 |
| ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES When making plans, we usually have some idea in mind as to how those plans will turn out. What do we anticipate will be the outcome of our labor? Apart from God sovereignly moving in other ways, it is possible to foresee several positive results. First, it is realistic to expect to spend a good bit of time just getting things started. Building relationships with people takes time, and significant change is not something which most people enjoy. As well, it is very realistic to expect opposition from local church leaders. But there is no reason to despise the day of small things when God is the Initiator. Over time, the maturation process in the lives of the Christians should produce good fruit. I expect that those who do not have the mindset of a world Christian will develop a strong consciousness of the universal body of Christ through prayer, study, involvement, and (possibly) working in other countries. As well, through the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the training of local leaders, we foresee that each member would begin to evidence a greater commitment to the body of Christ, especially to his or her own local fellowship. We expect that men, women, boys, and girls will be won to Christ. In addition, we foresee the routing of the spiritual forces which have bound the island through drugs and alcohol. By the evangelization of the local residents, we expect an increased labor for in the kingdom of God. Through the sincere and devoted worship of God, we expect the Holy Spirit to increase spiritual liberty on the island, both among Pentecostal churches and others also. This will lead to greater effectiveness in spiritual warfare. In so doing, we expect to thwart the New Age, cult, and occult groups from having an impact or stronghold on Lewis. It is possible that the Ministry Training School could become a centre for developing ministers and leaders for Scotland, all of Britain, and perhaps several other countries. This could be enhanced and realized through networking with local churches around the world. Finally, I personally anticipate and pray for the development of deep, reflective relationships--between our Lord and His people and among the members of the body of Christ. It is through such relationships that Christ is manifest, the Church is edified, and God is glorified. May it be so in our lives. |
| CHAPTER SUMMARY In conclusion, it would be helpful to repeat the mission statement: to begin building a Christian community which would be under the sovereign direction of the Lord in worship and holiness and in the evangelization of the lost at the local, national, and international levels. There has been no explicit emphasis on prayer in this chapter. This is not a diminishing of its necessity. I recognize that such lofty goals can only be attained under the inspiration, direction, and power of the Holy Spirit. The central truth is that relationship with God is the key being effective in any ministry. It is my prayer that throughout our lives, God would ever draw us all into deeper communion with Him. To Him be all the glory! The Isle of Lewis is just one place out of many which could use the healing hand of God. However, wherever God leads us throughout our lives, we want to have a permeating effect upon the society around us. |
| Epilogue I am sensing more and more that many people who have grown up in the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement are asking the questions, "Who are we?" and "What really makes us Pentecostal?" It is the fact that we are living in an era of such dramatic global change that is causing this issue to sharpen. If society at large had continued to stay the same as it had for another one hundred years, Pentecostals/Charismatics would have been able to live comfortably in the same patterns of work and ministry as their forebears. Instead, we are being forced to grapple with issues that strain the limits of our mind and our trust in God. And it will likely get worse before it gets any better. Yet, on the other hand, God has allowed us to live during this time in order to more abundantly glorify Him by showing forth the works of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is going to move in these last days through the body of Christ in a way that we have never seen before. But for Pentecostals/Charismatics, as well as any Christian, we definitely must find our identity once again in relationship to Christ Jesus. It will be through the intimate knowledge of Him alone that we will be able to be strong and do exploits. Thus, the issues which confront us today are to be answered in relationship. Through the wisdom and knowledge of God, we will be able to discern clearly the steps we are to take. And through deep, godly relationships with one another, God Himself will be at work through His body to accomplish His service in these last days. For the prophecy that "in the last days I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh" is relational. The enduement of power by the Holy Spirit binds together those who were once made separate by fleshly divisions (e.g. race, creeds, social status, etc.). Who can accomplish this? Only God can. But we wait expectantly for the things that only God can do. And in the meantime, we work diligently under the direction of our Head to accomplish those things which He desires us to do. |
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