Church Leadership

The leadership structure of the early church was very simple consisting of two offices- elders (senior leaders) and deacons (ministers who assisted the elders in caring for the flock). Some of the Elders were ordained by God as special gifts to the Church for reasons outlined in Ephesians 4:12-16.  These gifts are Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers (Ephesians 4:11). These gifts had varying spheres of influence (metrons). Most served a local assembly. Some served several assemblies. A number served large regions and territories. A few served the Universal Church. This is the biblical model of governance in the Church. This model was dismantled by Constantine in the second century.  But God is bringing restoration to the Church.  

Elder, Pastor and Bishop or Overseer represent qualities of those who serve in the role of a senior leader. “Elder” represents spiritual maturity and wisdom. “Pastor” is a shepherding term referring to how Elders care for people. “Bishop” or “overseer” refers to the oversight or administrative  responsibilities that comes with the role of an Elder. 

Elders may be called to serve the Body of Christ as a five-fold ministry gift (Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Evangelist, Teacher). These ones are gifts to the Body. They're ordained by God and affirmed by other five-fold ministry gifts. 

Not all elders are five-fold ministers. But I believe all five-fold ministry gifts should meet the qualifications of an elder AND serve  in the role or capacity of an elder (sometimes referred to as "pastor") in an assembly prior to being affirmed to a five-fold ministry office. I believe one reason we see so much drama in the apostolic-prophetic movement is because we've been too quick to lay hands on people with no track record in life, faith or service. In many instances,  we've exalted giftedness over character when affirming members to a five-fold office. So what are the qualifications of an elder? Here's how I interpret 1 Timothy 3:1-7. 

1. Elders are servant leaders. Elders desire and pursue opportunities to serve and minister to the needs of others. 

2. Elders have solid character. Their lifestyle doesn't bring shame or reproach to the Church. They abstain from  violence and lawlessness. They have a good reputation in the Church and among the lost. 

3. Elders are faithful. They don't engage in fornication, adultery (spiritual or natural) or any form of  idolatry. They are fully committed to the Bridegroom Who is Jesus the Christ. 

4. Elders are alert, watchful, prayerful, vigilant and clearheaded. Elders rely upon the grace of God for the inner strength to refrain from any excess that would dull spiritual discernment. Elders are not given to drunkenness (naturally or spiritually) or gluttony. 

5. Elders are sober minded. Elders have a  serious attitude about spiritual matters. Elders are earnest about the works of ministry. Elders don't cheapen ministry or the Gospel message with foolish words or behavior. They do and say everything to the glory of God. They speak as oracles of God and represent God in the earth with their actions and deeds. 

6. Elders lead respectable, orderly, self-disciplined lives. Commentator Homer Kent said this: “The ministry is no place for the leader whose life is a continual confusion of unaccomplished plans and unorganized activities."

7. Elders are hospitable, lovers of strangers, contribute to the needs of saints, and minister to the saved and unsaved.  

8. Elders are able to teach the Word and defend the faith. They embody the Presence of the Living Word. 

9. Elders are not contentious. They can disagree without being disagreeable. They're patient, long suffering, considerate, genial, forbearing, and gracious. They easily pardon human failures. 

10. They answer the call to serve not to be served or to amass wealth. If God allows them to become wealthy as ministers wonderful! And that should not be their driving force for becoming a minister. We do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, the worker is worthy of his wages. However ministry should not be chosen for financial aspirations. 

11. Elders are spiritually mature. They're not recent converts who are still babes in Christ. 

12. Elders manage their personal lives,  households and families well. An elder cares for their family in a dignified manner that encourages and draws respect from others. Their homes, family lives and personal relationships are under the authority of Christ and adhere to biblical standards. 

(Reference: https://bible.org/seriespage/7-essential-qualities-elders-1-timothy-31-7)

You're Coming Out Unharmed

I was made aware that someone recently had a dream in which a woman of God was praying. She rounded up the prayers with 'In Jesus' Name." Those three words made  a woman who  was upstairs LIVID! The person was big mad! This reminded me of Daniel. Daniel kept praying to his God against the  command of the king. As a result, Daniel was thrown into a lions' den to be devoured.

The king represented a ruling spirit within the territory. When you pray fervently and  effectually, it angers ruling spirits in territories and regions. Some of the challenges you're facing aren't because you did anything wrong. It's because you were faithful in what you were called to do. As you find yourself  in the lion's den (place of trials, tribulations, hardship, danger), may God shut the mouth of every devouring spirit that has risen up against you! You're coming out untouched with a testimony of God's faithfulness!

You Shall Recover it All!

2023: The Year of Restoration 

I was listening to a recorded message by one of my favorite teaching apostles about restoration. He said "God will restore everything that was lost, forfeited or stolen." I had disbelief in my heart and concluded that the blessing attached to the prophetic decree was not applicable to me as I thought about the loss of our first born son. 

Then he said "And for those who have buried your children,  God will give you countless sons and daughters and one son or daughter will be 10 times the blessing of that which was lost." Somehow this was a consolation to me. I don't quite understand how. But it was. 

If I'm honest, I never really shouted about Job's new children after he was restored. Each child is different. I've always said I would've been more excited about the restoration of Job's children if God had resurrected the dead. (This was actually a form of pride and arrogance at work in my heart. Who are we to tell God how to do what God does?)

Somehow through the anointed teaching and prophetic declarations of Ap. Joshua Selman Nimmak, I now understand Job's consolation as his children were restored to him. I'm shouting and celebrating God. I'll never understand all the ways of God, but I'm thankful for RESTORATION!

So be encouraged! God is not a man who would lie or the son of man who will change His mind concerning His promises. God is a Promise Keeper. This is a year of restoration. God will restore it ALL. Joel 2:25-32

Cheevers-Inah Engagement Announcement

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

1 Cor. 13:13

Lynderia “Lyn” Shunta Cheevers and LeoFisher “Don” Sunday Inah announce their engagement.  Dr. Cheevers is the daughter of Mr. Hilton and Prophetess Mrs. Virginia Cheevers of Sylvester, GA, USA. Dr. Cheevers, a graduate of Nova Southeastern University (Doctor of Education; Adult, Community and Higher Education Administration), is a bi-vocational Minister of the Gospel.  She is an ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and has worked as a Human Capital Management professional with the U.S. Federal Government for the past 14 years.  Pastor Inah is the son of Mr. Sunday and Mrs. Elizabeth Sarwee Inah (Yekepa, Liberia, West Africa) both of blessed memory.  Pastor Inah, a graduate of Startz University, Monrovia, Liberia (Bachelor of Engineering; Telecommunications Engineering), is a bi-vocational Minister of the Gospel.  He is an ordained Pastor in Living Faith Church Worldwide (also known as Winners’ Chapel) and is the owner of a telecommunications consulting company. He is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Amable Mendoza Aguiluz, Sr. (AMA) University in Manila,  Philippines. Lyn and Don will celebrate their love and commitment at  civil (Philippines), traditional (Liberia), and church (USA) wedding ceremonies. Wedding dates are yet to be announced. 

2023: A Time and Season for Divine Restoration

As children of God, we must discern the seasons and times and know what to do in the times and seasons for favorable outcomes. As we enter 2023, the Lord is highlighting Joel 2:35-27 and Ecclesiastes 3 to me. The year 2023 is a season and time for divine restoration. Included below are three things I am perceiving about 2023 along with instructions for favorable outcomes. I believe these things will help us maximize this season of divine restoration.

 

1. Everything Has Its Time. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. We are entering a new season- not just because we are entering a new year. God's timing is different from the Gregorian calendar. God's timing is different from humanity's timing. A season is a division of time based on conditions in the atmosphere which has its own characteristics and lasts for a defined period. The change in the seasons is brought about by a shift in the way God reveals Himself to humanity and the way the hosts of heaven interact with and relate to humanity. We are entering a kairos moment in God's timing. This is a kairos moment for divine restoration.

A. Repent for mishandling time and other resources. Ask God to consecrate your time and other resources. Ask God to remove wrinkles from your timeline and to mend those things which would cause you to lose and waste resources. Cry out to God to restore and replace the time that devouring spirits have eaten! Joel 2:25 Trust God to restore and replace all the resources that the enemy has stolen. 

B. Guard your time jealously. Invest your time, talent, and treasure wisely. Invest in yourself. Invest in your health and well-being. Invest in the eight dimensions of the whole person (emotional, physical, occupational, social, spiritual, intellectual, environmental, and financial) so that you may prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2 Jesus came that we might have life and life more abundantly. This is an opportune time to enjoy the zoe life that Jesus secured for us on the cross! The Lord is restoring you to divine health in every dimension of life- particularly spiritually. Set aside time to rest daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually. Mark 4:37-38. Go on a personal spiritual retreat (time set apart with the Lord for renewal, direction, and fresh empowerment) at least once (ideally 2-3 times) in the year for a minimum of three days. Isaiah 40:27-31. 
C. Use chronos (sequential, quantitative time) to prepare for kairos (opportune moments). God is opening doors. Be ready to walk through these open doors!  This is a season of open doors. When I released this word at a ministry encounter in Atlanta, GA, USA December 26, I used the illustration of a musician practicing daily and being prepared for that "chance" encounter with a music industry influencer.  God is sending ministering angels to orchestrate your "big break." Put in the time to prepare yourself for open doors of opportunity.  Get ready.  Stay ready. God is also restoring open doors.  There are doors that were open to you in past seasons, but for whatever reasons were closed.  God is bringing restoration.          

2. Focus on your God-given Tasks. Ecclesiastes 3:9-15. Be about the Father's Business. Luke 2:49; Luke 5:18-23. Do not be presumptuous about what the Father's business is. Do not waste time doing religious works based in tradition. Let all that you do in service unto the Lord be birthed out of the secret place. The Lord is restoring you vocationally in career, business, and ministry.
A. Ask God to restore you as as trees of righteousness as you serve as an ambassador (one who is mandated to protect the interest and integrity of one's leader and/or government) of the king of Kings and Lord of lords and the Kingdom of God. Proverbs 11:28; Numbers 24:6; Isaiah 61:3; Hosea 14:5–8; Psalm 1:3; Psalm 92:12; Isaiah 41: 17-20. There are seven trees listed in Isaiah 41:19.  These are cedar (excellence and perfection in God), acacia (regeneration, perseverance, and integrity), myrtle (abundance and fruitfulness), olive (peace, prosperity, beauty, and the relationship with God and His people), cypress (healing, uprightness, and eternal life) pine (victory and triumph of life over darkness), and box (abiding grace and God's perpetual presence). God is perfecting us, strengthening us to persevere, pruning us to be fruitful, ushering us into prosperity, inviting us into deeper intimacy with Him, healing us in every area of our lives, causing us to triumph over darkness and be victorious in spiritual warfare, and blessing us with another dimension of His abiding Presence.   

B. The Lord is restoring a "Doing Grace" to the Body of Christ (Romans 7:19) to do what we are called to do and become who we are called to be. God will pour out His Spirit in a greater measure on those who are poor in spirit. God will multiply favor and supernatural enablement to those who are clothed in humility and submissive to Him and those in authority over them. 1 Peter 5:5-6. Let go of religious and spiritual pride. Stop being self-protecting, self-defending and self-promoting. Be slow to speak, slow to anger, and quick to listen. Recognize your need for God in ALL things!
C. We shall be empowered in a greater measure by the Holy Spirit to walk with the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of Wisdom, the Spirit of Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel, the Spirit of Power, the Spirit of Knowledge, and the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord. Get ready to see the mighty works of God in the captivating Presence and glory of God. Let your heart's cry be "Now, Lord do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again." Psalm 126:4. 
D. Seek revelation, understanding, and inspiration from the principles, promises, and prophecies of God found in Scripture. The Lord is restoring to you the joy of salvation .  Earnestly desire and endeavor to be blameless and do what is right. Ask for grace to demonstrate the character and nature of Jesus. Matthew 6:33.
E. Worship, pray and engage the Word through reading, studying, and meditating. Acts 6:4; 1 Timothy 4:15.  The Lord is birthing a hunger and zeal within you for His Word.  
F. Position yourself to be matured as sons of God through your intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:12-17, 19.
G. Invest in God-ordained relationships to the glory of God. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. Trust God to restore and rebuild kingdom relationships which were broken due to offense and strife.  

3. The High Court of Heaven is being convened to issue verdicts which facilitate restorative justice. In Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 injustice seems to prevail.  But beloved, be assured God is not mocked! The chickens are coming to roost!! Galatians 6:7-8.  We will see restorative justice.  Offenders will be held accountable for their misconduct and make restitution to those they have harmed.  
A. Repent! Earnestly desire to have the gentle, lowly heart of Jesus. Matthew 11:29.
B. God will make an open display and put to shame that which has afflicted, humiliated, and oppressed God's people. Jesus made a public spectacle of the rulers and authorities of power of the kingdom of darkness. Colossians 2:15. The eternal truth of our victory as overcomers in Christ will be quite evident in this season. The numbers of salvations, deliverances, healings, restorations, miracles, signs, and wonders will increase exponentially.  The settings and circumstances around these occurrences will absolutely boggle our minds. The glory of God is being revealed in a greater dimension. We will see manifestations of salvation to the utmost.  

C. Verdicts of restorative justice will bring realignment to individuals, families, people groups, nations, and the Body of Christ.  Realignment is the action of changing or restoring something to a different or former position or state.  God is restoring us to the original blueprint of heaven for  His Glory and namesake.

As we enter this new year and new season, may God, the Fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope! Romans 15:13

 

Shalom!

Lyn   

Oh Give Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving! Do you know that thanksgiving is a key of the Kingdom? The Key TO the Kingdom is Jesus. Once you're  IN the Kingdom the keys OF the Kingdom (also called principles) help you navigate through life, the Kingdom and the spirit realm. 

Having a heart of gratitude unlocks blessings and grants access to new dimensions (compartments and rooms within a level) and realms (higher levels).  

We (Believers) should all express gratitude in all things (regardless of our circumstances) by saying  thank you, having a grateful heart, and giving time, talent and/or treasure to express gratitude to God and others.

1 Chronicles 16:34; Amos 4:5; Jonah 2:9; Psalm 103:2-5; Luke 17:11-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Rev 11:16-17

God is Rich in Mercy

Many Believers experience a certain level of shame when they're faced with challenges. I believe that this is due to gaps in certain schools of thought within the Church. 

For example, in the Word of Faith school of thought there are huge gaps on the matter of theodicy. Theodicy looks at why God allows bad things to happen to God's people. In the Word of Faith school of thought if we name it, claim it, profess it, fast, pray, and do all the "right" things then we will prosper, be in good health and experience longevity. 

In the Word of Faith school of thought,  when something bad happens it must be due to personal sin, generational sin, lack of faith or spiritual laziness. In my view, this is a works- based , legalistic school of thought that has tried to reduce God to God's principles, promises and prophecies. Revelation about spiritual laws, spiritual technology, spiritual realms, spiritual dimensions, etc is by the MERCY of God. AND God is bigger than what God reveals to us. It is extremely PRIDEFUL to think we know ALL of the ways of God because God is merciful to reveal to us some of God's ways. 

God is Sovereign and allows death, disease, sickness, destruction, etc.  to occur. Sometimes this is due to personal sin or generational sin and iniquity. Under the Old Covenant God visits the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. God's word tells us that God is rich in MERCY and extends MERCY to thousands and thousands of generations. Sometimes bad things happen to God's people for reasons we don't understand. Sometimes bad things happen to God's people so that God may be ultimately glorified. God is good, righteous and just- no matter what. 

Yes, examine yourself when faced with challenges. Ask God to reveal to you if you've violated a  principle. And give yourself grace. Cry out to God for mercy. Refuse to be gagged or muzzled by the enemy, life's challenges or a legalistic, work-based schools of thought that accuses victims of wrong-doing just as Jobs friends accused him.