This is a very timely prophetic message and teaching that is full of wisdom for our current day.
We often hear from you, our readers, that you'd like us to post more "teaching messages" as well.
It's a good thing to want to grow, increase and be nurtured, especially in prophetic teachings...
That's exactly what you're going to get today in this recent article from Lyn Packer of New Zealand.
I encourage you to print this out, read thoroughly through it, and study it out for yourself or even groups you're involved in. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
Enjoy and be blessed as we grow together.
The Lord is calling us to step into a new level of maturity in using the gift of prophecy. We are entering a time of great prophetic release and power, and in order for us to minister wisely in that release of power, the Lord is giving us understanding of what is needed at a foundational level for this next season of ministry in the prophetic gift—its alignment, structure, and protocols.
Up until now in most churches, we have had little structure and protocols established for prophetic ministry, but for the release of power that is coming to the prophetic gift, we will need some. We are being called to greater maturity in function and with that comes the need to take greater responsibility for how we function.
As leaders, we will need to establish protocols with wisdom, grace and love, and as prophetic ministers, we will need to receive those protocols with love, grace and understanding.
We need to understand that these protocols are established not to hem us in and stifle our use of our gifts, but to create safety for us and those we minister to and to allow for a greater release of power to flow through the gifts.
What We're Coming into
As mentioned in previous words released on Elijah List, we have entered the Hebrew year 5780, the beginning of a new decade. In Hebrew, this is represented by the letter "Pey"—symbolized by the mouth. "Pey" can also mean "word, vocalization, speech or breath." We have also just come out of a decade that related to an increase in sight (represented by the Hebrew letter "Ayin").
Prophetically, we can see an interesting connection between the symbolism of these two Hebrew decades and the western or Gregorian calendar year, 2020. In our western society, the term "20/20" symbolizes perfect or clear vision. (Photo via Unsplash)
We see here that there is a linking together of sight and sound—the ability to see and to give voice to what we see. Prophetic people already do this, but there is a shift coming for many who have functioned as "reporters" instead of functioning as "releasers." There is a shift from just reporting what you see to releasing what you see.
What I mean is this: a reporter simply tells the story of what they see or have found out. A releaser steps into their place as a voice of the Lord in the earth. The words they speak release the power and provision of Heaven to bring something to pass.
Because of this shift taking place, and as prophetic people release more and more with the power of their words, we will find that the Lord is calling us to establish some things in our lives. He is calling us to establish safe boundaries in which to operate, for us and for those we minister to. And He is also giving us the needed wisdom and discernment in which to release these things.
Alignment
The Lord is bringing His prophetic ministers into right alignment in certain areas. He is making, as it were, a "chiropractic adjustment" so that we can function better with the rest of the Body in the use of the prophetic gift. This is true both in the area of relationship and in our characters. Where we have been out of alignment with the Body of Christ, He is bringing us back into right alignment. Where we have been separated, He is bringing us back into relationship.
He is also calling prophetic ministers to a new season of being aligned with apostles, teachers, pastors, and evangelists; particularly with apostles and pastors. We will see apostles and prophets, especially, begin to move in tandem like never before. Both of these are powerful ministries, and the synergistic release that will come when they function together will take their ministries to a whole different level of power.
Establishing Structure and Protocols
Structure and protocols are important for several reasons, as we will see throughout this word. Alignment, structure, and protocols are positive, not negative, when established and used properly. They restrict chaos and the misuse of a gift and release greater safety and freedom in which to minister and receive ministry. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
"Protocol" is "the accepted or established code of procedure or behavior in any group, organization or situation."
Scripture establishes and places structure and protocols around the use of the spiritual gifts. There are protocols in regard to how we use our gifts individually and when we gather together, and these are found scattered throughout Scripture. The following are some of the protocols Scripture establishes around spiritual gifts and their use.
1. The foundation of love. 1 Cor. 13 is the main foundation on which all spiritual gifts are released and operated in. It is primarily a "spiritual-gift protocol" passage and a call to maturity because it's shared in the context of speaking about the use of spiritual gifts.
Yes, this passage of Scripture also has wider implications for lifestyle, marriage, etc., but its main purpose is in reference to using spiritual gifts. Have a fresh look at it with that perspective. It even mentions specific gifts as examples (tongues, prophecy, supernatural knowledge, faith, and giving).
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Cor. 13:13)
2. The common good. The gifts are given for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7). They are given to bless us and others. What does that mean in relation to how the gifts are used? What protocols does this suggest we need?
3. Prophecy must encourage, edify and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3). That's a protocol statement that establishes procedure and behavior. So we need to ask ourselves, "What needs to be in place to ensure that outcome when we minister?"
4. We are told that "...everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way" (1 Cor. 14:40). This verse is the last verse in a whole chapter devoted to explaining protocols for corporate gatherings.
5. We are told to weigh prophecy and test the words spoken. 1 Jn. 4:1 and 1 Thess. 5:19-22 tell us to test everything and hold fast to what is good. 1 Cor. 14:29 talks about prophetic words given in a church setting.
6. The Bible is the absolute standard for weighing and assessing all revelation (2 Tim. 3:16; Col. 2:8-9; Jn. 1:14). While we treasure spiritual experiences from the Holy Spirit, we are not to place subjective discernment and experiences (supernatural manifestations, the seeking of angels, angelic activity, or other supernatural manifestations) above the Bible (Rev. 19:10; Col. 2:8-9). (Photo via Pixabay)
7. Prophecy should reveal Jesus or His work. Rev. 19:10 says prophecy should give testimony to or point us to the work of Jesus.
8. Prophetic words are an expression of God. God places great value on His words and His promises—they are an expression of His name and nature (Ps. 138:2). We are not only to speak truth but to speak prophetic words in a way that reflects the loving heart of God.
9. Some things are not to be shared. Scripture gives us the understanding that some things should not be shared with others. Paul had experiences in the third Heaven and some of what he saw he was not permitted to share (2 Cor. 12:4). Daniel and John both had experiences that they weren't able share and were sealed up until a later time (Rev. 10:4; 22:10, Dan. 8:26; 12:4, 9).
We should always check with the Holy Spirit as to whether we can share an experience or not. Many people don't realize that this is part of the Scriptural protocol surrounding revelation and experiences and they share things that they shouldn't.
Good Protocols
• Create safe boundaries within which we function—for ourselves and for those we minister to.
• Create quality controls and consistency. Having protocols means that we can check things like, "Is this gift being used with wisdom, in love, with impartiality, etc.? Is it being used for personal gain, such as to gain acceptance, to feed ego, to prove a person's worth and value, to establish someone's sense of identity, etc.?" (Photo via Pexels)
• Create and establish Kingdom culture. If we don't establish Kingdom culture we will establish some other culture; we cannot help but do that. Culture has a profound effect on people and transforms people and societies.
• Establish and build trust. A leader must know that you are trustworthy. Trust is earned, it cannot be demanded! Having a gift does not equate to being trustworthy!
• Test and prove our characters and integrity. This will show our maturity or lack of it, our knowledge of our gift and how it functions, and more.
• Practice good ministry habits that, in turn, help prophetic ministers grow in favor and open doorways for effective service.
• Create a structure that makes it safe to give feedback and lovingly ask challenging questions of one another.
If you would like a deeper understanding of what sort of protocols may be needed for your personal ministry, and as a church, you can access my full article "Establishing Wise Prophetic Protocols" here. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
Lyn Packer
Rob and Lyn Packer Ministries
Email: lyn@robandlyn.org
Website: www.nzpropheticnetwork.com
and www.robandlyn.org
Lyn Packer and her husband Rob have been in ministry for over 40 years in varying roles from youth workers through to senior pastors and now currently as itinerant ministers in New Zealand. They have ministered in many nations throughout the South Pacific, Asia, and in North America. They are a part of the Prophetic Council in New Zealand and are widely respected as prophetic ministers wherever they minister. Lyn facilitates the New Zealand Prophetic Network, a ministry similar to Elijah List in New Zealand, and leads a network for women ministers in New Zealand.
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