Marriage, Money, and Ministry

A few days ago, I saw this message posted on Facebook….

“My fiancée wants a wedding and I don't. I want a small ceremony. She wants to use the $16,000 that I have saved up for a home and for emergency funds. I already spent $3,000 on a ring she wanted and that was from my savings. We can’t seem to come to a compromise. I’m willing to spend $5,000 on the wedding and she says that’s not enough. What should I do?”

My initial reply was, “Break off the engagement.” I thought this woman was greedy. It would be better to invest more money in the marriage itself. A wedding ceremony plus a reception will last a few hours at the most. Marriage is for a lifetime.

Then I remembered something Billy Graham wrote in his autobiography “Just As I Am.” While attending Wheaton College, Billy got engaged to another student named Ruth Bell. Soon they got into a disagreement about their plans for the future. Ruth wanted to be a missionary in Tibet. Billy knew his calling was to preach the gospel throughout the world. At one point, Billy suggested Ruth return the ring he gave her. Ruth didn’t want to think about doing that. That settled the disagreement. Billy also told Ruth, “God will lead me, and you will do the following.” They were married for almost 64 years. Two cannot walk together unless they are agreed (Amos 3:3).

Are you a woman seeking a godly man for a husband? We’re out there but I’d like to offer some suggestions for when you think you’ve found the right one…

• Until you tie the knot, avoid spending too much time alone with him even in prayer. Soul ties can develop that are hard to break if he ends up not being “the one.”
• Be punctual when you plan to meet somewhere. It’s not cool to be “fashionably late.” If you can show up on time at your job, a doctor’s appointment, or a court hearing, then show that same kind of respect for your potential spouse. Jesus said in Matthew 5:37, “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’”
• Clearly communicate with him. Don’t assume he knows what you mean. We cannot read your thoughts.
• Encourage him in his calling. Don’t distract him with suggestions incompatible with God’s plan for his life, especially if he’s already in full-time ministry. Husbands need helpmates to keep them focused on their divine mission. At the same time, he will seek to help fulfill yours.

God wants every believer to have a happy marriage (unless you desire to remain single), plenty of money so we can also help others, and a fruitful ministry. All three are possible when our priorities are in order.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” - Matthew 6:33

Honoring Nick Kinn

The Bible tells us to give honor to whom honor is due. Yesterday was the 70th birthday of the minister most responsible for helping me become a successful soul-winner. Therefore, I’ve written this tribute to him.

Alex Nicholas Kinn Jr. was born on August 21, 1951, and grew up just west of Minneapolis. Like myself, he went through confirmation at a Lutheran church that didn't teach the necessity to be born again. Following high school and a brief college stint, Nick was drafted into the U. S. Army and got stationed in Germany. After his discharge, Nick returned to Minnesota and continued being an alcoholic. One night, he caused a drunk driving accident that almost killed six people.

Meanwhile, a few Christians had reached out to Nick with the gospel. Two of them happened while he was in the military. Another person had slid a tract underneath his door. A turning point occurred 45 years ago today. After Nick had been out celebrating his 25th birthday, he got down on his knees at 2:00 a.m. and said, “Jesus, if you’re real, I’m tired of being a drunk. Come into my heart.” His life hasn’t been the same since.

Nick immediately started witnessing but didn’t lead anyone to the Lord until almost three years later. While hosting an Amway meeting in his house, Nick had an altar call. One woman came forward to give her life to Christ. After attending various churches, Nick started going to Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park. In 1986, he was asked to take charge of their evangelism ministry. Two years later, Nick left his job at the post office to become a full-time pastor. As he often says now, “I used to be a mailman, but now I’m a messenger.”

I first attended Living Word in 1991. Back then, Pastor Nick also led outreaches called “All-Church Evangelism.” Wednesday night services were canceled once a month during the summer. That was to encourage more congregation members to share their faith. I participated in a few of those but didn’t pray with anyone until three years after my conversion. By that time, I committed myself to evangelize with Living Word every Monday night. Soon I became a team leader and started training other people how to win souls. 

My faithfulness to Living Word’s evangelism ministry resulted in various blessings. Since Nick and I are about the same size, he frequently gave me clothes he no longer needed. One night after returning from an outreach, Pastor Nick asked if anyone wanted prayer. I mentioned my starting a sales job with a meat company that day and needed to make money. Nick suddenly took up an offering for me. I received $68 in cash. That sales job wouldn’t work out for me. Eventually, the Lord led me to go into full-time ministry.

For over a decade, I mostly traveled along the east coast as a missionary. During which, I had little contact with Pastor Nick. Then one night in a Minneapolis suburb, I walked into a bus station. Nick happened to be evangelizing there along with another man I knew named Tom. Nick gave me some of his “Have You Heard the Good News” tracts. Tom then handed me $20. That inspired me to resume regular outreaches with Living Word during return visits to the Twin Cities area. I still enjoy listening to Nick’s teachings before we hit the streets.

I appreciate Nick Kinn’s continued commitment to the Great Commission and also his sense of humor. Often we experience bouts of holy laughter while looking at each other. With the help of other laborers involved with Living Word’s evangelism ministry, over 1.6 million salvations have occurred. Pastor Nick has (so far) ministered in 28 countries and 35 states. May the Lord give him many more years to give the devil a black eye.

“And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you” - 1 Thessalonians 5:12

God’s Got Your Back

I believe one reason some people shy away from Christianity is seeing passive believers. The Lord doesn’t want us being idle wimps until He returns. When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He said, “Go ye,” not “Sit ye.”

Many Christians need a greater revelation of their authority in Christ. As a young believer, I heard my then-pastor share a powerful truth regarding what Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Religious people misinterpret this verse to mean the church is to huddle together while withstanding demonic attacks. However, gates don’t attack anybody. They just stand there. 

It’s the church that is to be on the attack. As Jesus said in Luke 19:13 (KJV), “Occupy till I come.” To take spiritual ground, we must put on equipment described in Ephesians 6…

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

Note that there is no armor for the back. There is no need for Christians to retreat. Jesus already defeated the devil. We reinforce his defeat like an occupying army.

Sometimes I face persecution when doing street evangelism. Individuals have threatened me if I don’t leave the area. If I’m on public property, then I have a right to be there just like them. Unless the Lord directs me to walk away and minister someplace else, I stand still and hold my ground.

God’s methods of victory are often unconventional. Joshua led the children of Israel to march around Jericho seven times. David using a small stone to take down Goliath. God has a plan to take out the giants facing you. All you need to do is ask for wisdom and then obey without fearing your rear. God’s got your back!

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 15:57

True Humility

One of my Facebook friends recently posted a meme with this prayer: “Lord, empty me of me so I can be filled of You.” Technically, this is impossible. We are all unique individuals with talents, hopes, and dreams. God didn’t create us to be robots. A Christian can pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit and then obey His promptings instead of fulfilling selfish desires. 

A personal example that comes to my mind happened over twenty years ago. While walking around my neighborhood, I saw five boys playing football in a church parking lot. A thought crossed my mind that when their football landed by me, that would be a sign to witness to them. Seconds later, the football bounced my way when one of the boys made a bad punt. However, I wanted to be by myself and went straight home. God kept telling me to go back. So I put my shoes on and hurried to the parking lot where the boys were still playing. After one of them scored a touchdown, I asked the boys to take a time-out. All five got born again.

I’ve heard worship songs with the line “more of You, less of me.” While these may be sincere attempts to be humble, I think they are a bit degrading. Psalm 139:14 says, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” God is not glorified when man criticizes himself. There’s a difference between humility and being humiliated, which the New Oxford American Dictionary defines as “make (someone) feel ashamed and foolish by injuring their dignity and self-respect, especially publicly.” 

John the Baptist did say in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” The Jewish prophet was exalting Jesus’ ministry above his. I like The Message Bible’s rendering of this verse: “This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.” Preachers need to be cautious not to exalt themselves and their ministries more than the God they serve.

One friend of mine used to pray for God to make him humble until I pointed out what James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” Fasting is one way of doing that (Psalm 35:13), but that won’t do much good for one who isn’t submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 

Colossians 2 warns of false humility. Verse 18 connects that with “…worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” Verse 23 goes on to say, “These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.”

Another way to humble yourself is by seeking to meet other people’s needs. Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Jesus famously demonstrated this by washing His disciples’ feet.

The late Mac Davis sang, “Lord, it’s hard to be humble.” The truth is it’s not that hard. We simply need to exalt Jesus and others more than ourselves. C. S. Lewis wrote, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” Another minister pointed out, “Humility is knowing who are you in Christ and who you are without Him.”

“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’”  - 1 Peter 5:5

Ordained by God

Years ago when Rodney Howard-Browne first started out in ministry, he was frequently asked to present ordination papers he didn’t have. Ironically once the revivalist got his papers and offered to show them to pastors interested in him speaking at their churches, Rodney was told they weren't necessary.

People have asked if I’ve been ordained or licensed as a minister. Yesterday that became official through Christ’s Mandate for Missions. Certainly, there are advantages to having such credentials. One would need them to legally conduct weddings. I hadn’t really sought this but asked the Lord to make it possible in His timing. As an evangelist, my focus has been preaching the gospel on the streets and through the Internet. Nevertheless, I still received invites to minister in churches.

Nowadays anyone can show off a certificate declaring themselves a minister. An organization called the Universal Life Church has instantly ordained over 20 million people free of charge. They include celebrities such as Conan O'Brien, Kathy Griffin, Queen Latifah, and Lady Gaga. Even the infamous atheist Madalyn Murray O'Hair once received ordination through this so-called church, which has only two tenets:

1. Do only that which is right

2. All should be free to worship as they see fit. 

This reminds me of what Judges 17:6 says, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” A piece of paper does not make anyone a minister in the eyes of God if they don’t know Him.

Jesus said in John 15:16 (KJV), “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain…” The Greek word here for ordain is tithēmi, which means “set”, “put”, “lay down”, “make”, and “appoint.”

The New Oxford American Dictionary lists these two definitions for ordain...

1 make (someone) a priest or minister; confer holy orders on.

2 order or decree (something) officially

The Bible talks about God ordaining things such as “the moon and the stars” (Psalm 8:3) and other positions of authority. Romans 13:1 says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Just like in John 15:16, the King James Version uses the word “ordained” in place of appointed. Ordain can also be defined as “set apart.”

Near the end of 1995 after having been a Christian for almost five years, I perceived the Lord was calling me to full-time ministry. That was soon confirmed through this prophetic word I received from a pastor I hadn’t met before: “I have chosen thee and I have ordained thee...not man...before the foundations of this earth.” A short time later I worked at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association until the Lord directed me to step out as a traveling missionary. 

Every believer is a minister of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). Whether or not you receive ordination, obeying the Great Commission doesn't require the approval of man.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” - Jeremiah 1:5

Called to Preach?

Every believer should be involved in fulfilling the Great Commission. However, only a small percentage of Christians are called to an office of the fivefold ministry (one pastor I know believes it’s about 3%). God also needs people in the marketplace to be a witness and help fund the end-time harvest.

Evangelist Stephen Hill often said, “You know you are called to full-time ministry when secular employment is undesirable.” If you perceive God is calling you, then there will likely come a time when He instructs you to step out in faith and leave your job or business. That thought may sound a little scary at first. But if it’s God’s timing, He will make sure your needs are met as long as you follow His instructions. Isaiah 1:19 says, “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” 

The transition into ministry and the preparation time involved varies with each individual. Sometimes God calls His people to step out quickly and completely. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus told four fishermen, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."  They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Peter didn’t say, “Lord, let me build up a savings account first.” He totally trusted Jesus as his Source. 

Then there are ministers who remain in a particular trade on a part-time or temporary basis. The Apostle Paul would fit this category since he supplemented his income by making tents (Acts 18:3). However, he also wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:14 (NIV), “...the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” People called to the fivefold ministry need to spend extra time in prayer and Bible study (Acts 6:1-4). Still, Paul opted to be an occasional tentmaker because he didn’t want to be a financial burden to the churches that supported him. More contemporary ministers such as Carlos Annacondia and the recently-deceased Norvel Hayes continued operating successful businesses while on the road preaching. 

As for myself, God called me to be a missionary/evangelist after being a Christian for almost five years. It wasn’t something I sought for but a revelation received. After choosing to answer the call, the Lord led me to work at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Although I made a good income there, God didn’t allow me to stay comfortable too long. A few months after starting at BGEA, I resigned because the Lord wanted me to attend revival meetings in Toronto and my supervisor wouldn’t give me the time off. Coworkers plus elders from my church questioned my decision to leave a “stable job.” Instead of following their opinions, I obeyed the Lord. As a result, my faith was stretched by living in Toronto for a season where I learned to rely on Him to meet my needs.

One of my biggest challenges on the mission field was experiencing persecution from other Christians. Some of them pestered me to “get a real job” even though God was taking care of me. Ironically, many of those Christians who told me “you don’t work, you don’t eat” didn’t have jobs themselves! They were either retired, widowed, collected disability, or in another kind of situation that didn’t require them to find employment. Occasionally, God has brought work to me through Christians wanting websites, videos and other media projects created for them. Whenever I tried initiating work in this area, my efforts weren’t fruitful. Full-time ministers need to look to God as their Provider and not make things happen by the arm of the flesh. 

So again if you’re perceiving a call to preach, I encourage you to seek Him for direction and step out when He tells you to. True fulfillment comes from following His plan for our lives.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” - Jeremiah 1:5

Me Is Exalted

People called to full-time ministry often face the temptation of making things happen by the arm of the flesh. I’ve heard stories about messes ministers created when trying to expand their ministries ahead of God’s timing. Jesus said in Luke 14:11, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

I’m willing to help a brother or sister advance in their calling if the Lord leads me to. Romans 12:10 talks about “giving preference to one another.” Still, I find it annoying when preachers promote their ministries on my web pages without asking first. A few individuals had frequently done this on my Facebook Wall despite my asking them to stop. That prompted me to change my account settings so people could only write comments in response to my articles and praise reports.

Then one pastor started posting announcements (irrelevant to my writings) about various endeavors he was involved in. The first two times I simply removed his posts. After a third time, I asked this pastor to refrain from doing that. He wouldn’t like it if I promoted my ministry on his Facebook pages. The pastor initially responded with defensive emails insisting I repent for “not helping Jesus.” Eventually, he calmed down and apologized.

The Lord expects us to do our part in fulfilling the Great Commission and assisting brethren in need. That doesn’t mean we are to be manipulated to join a specific cause. God may not want you teaming up with a particular minister because his motives aren’t right. Acts 20:30 warns, “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.”  

Ministers truly lifting up the name of Jesus (and not themselves) shouldn’t get upset if a certain Christian won’t support them. Mike Murdock says, “You are not called to everybody but to somebody.” Ministers should also avoid trying to validate themselves. As Proverbs 27:2 says, “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” God will send the right people to bring encouragement when needed.

Are you called to the five-fold ministry? Great! I exhort you to step out and fulfill what God has put on your heart to do for Him. But don’t try pressuring a church or another preacher to facilitate you. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 15:20, “And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation.” I’ve had friends who repeatedly but unsuccessfully sought another ministry to intern under. Surely young Christians need to be discipled. But there comes a time when one must walk on the water and look to God alone for open doors to go through. 

Remember when the Lord uses you to advance His kingdom, always give Him the glory and not yourself.

“If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” - 2 Corinthians 10:17 (NLT)

A Eulogy for Leonard

Back in 1995, I became friends with another serious soul winner who was part of the evangelism ministry at Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Leonard Micklin led hundreds to the Lord apart from the church’s scheduled outings. Often when I arrived prior to an outreach or service, Leonard was sitting in the sanctuary confessing the word. I admired his faith in God meeting his needs without having a job or car.

Leonard didn’t seek to promote himself but the gospel. He often wore a baseball cap with the name of Jesus on it and sang praise songs after leading someone to salvation. During one outing in downtown Minneapolis, I was the leader but perceived the Lord wanted Leonard to lead our team for a while. Leonard was reluctant but agreed to do so. Later I learned the heads of the evangelism ministry were already nudging Leonard to become a team leader.

Not long after I started working for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Leonard often said, “Say ‘Hi’ to Billy for me” (I would do so at an employee picnic). Eventually, the Lord directed me to step out and live by faith as well. Leonard and I traded testimonies of provision to encourage each other since we were sometimes criticized by well-meaning Christians for not having “a real job.”

In 1999 the Lord led Leonard to briefly work for a mutual friend’s roofing company. I joined them on one assignment even though my heart wasn’t really into it (I was never fond of manual labor jobs). A short time later, Leonard left the Twin Cities area. For seventeen years I often wondered what happened to him. 

This past Monday night before another Living Word outreach, it was announced Leonard had died at the age of 71. Just before his passing on October 1st, Leonard had served six years as the evangelism pastor at a church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

I’m sure many believers in heaven who came to Christ through Leonard are thanking him for his obedience to the Great Commission. May that be our mission as well.

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” - Matthew 25:21

Take Your Place

Standing by a river in central Germany

I was temporarily living in Toronto in 1996 when the Lord revealed He was calling me to go to Germany. Initially I wasn’t excited about the idea. But by the time I made my third Germany trip in 2003, I would have been content to spend the rest of my life there. Instead God directed me to visit other parts of Western Europe until I returned to America. Since then I’ve mostly spent seasons living on the East Coast and in the Upper Midwest. 

One of the greatest frustrations a believer can experience is not knowing where God wants them to be. Many times we need to take action on what we know before He gives us additional direction. In Genesis 12, Abram was directed by the Lord to leave his home country but didn’t receive further instructions until he started moving. You cannot steer a parked car.

Lack of provision can also be a sign we’re not where God has assigned us to be. In 1 Kings 17, Elijah was commanded to go to the brook Cherith where the ravens fed him. Later the prophet was instructed by the Lord to go to a widow woman who temporarily provided for him. By this time the brook dried up and the ravens no longer provided food. 

Sometimes spiritual warfare occurs even if we are in the right place. The Apostle Paul certainly went through that during his missionary journeys. While living in Pensacola, Florida, I went through all kinds of opposition even though I knew God called me there for that season in my life. As Winston Churchill once said, “If you are going through hell, keep going.” 

Don’t let fear or natural circumstances cause you to avoid going where God has assigned you to be. Take your place!

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” 

- Philippians 3:14

Marriage and Ministry

A few days ago I talked with two ministers going through marital issues. One of them had been married for almost twenty years. His wife (a worship leader) recently divorced him because she felt he wasn’t providing for her. Although I respect this minister accepting responsibility for the marital failure, I thought he was being too hard on himself. For one thing, there was infidelity on his wife’s part. Nevertheless, this man had taken on a secular job but knows he is supposed to be in full-time ministry. I reminded him of Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

I went through a similar situation fourteen years ago. One morning after we had been married for only a couple of weeks, my then-wife insisted on us finding “stupid jobs” because we ran out of money. I reminded her we agreed to work for God and trust Him to meet our needs. Later that day I was offered a job at the Christian campground we were staying at. Unfortunately my wife stirred up additional conflicts and soon left me. Wanting to save my marriage, I resumed telemarketing work and also found an apartment in a town my wife said she wanted to live. That wasn’t enough to convince her to reconcile. She initiated an adulterous relationship with a former friend of mine (who didn’t have a job himself) and a few weeks later filed for divorce. The Lord told me to “let her go” and I returned to the mission field.

The other minister I talked to has been married now for almost two years. During that time he and his wife have gone through numerous separations including the time I met with him. Many of their conflicts have been over money. The wife had been the main breadwinner in their marriage. She earned a sizable income in the medical field while the minister received a fraction of that amount through donations. 

It’s true men have the responsibility to see their family’s needs are met (1 Timothy 5:8). Still, if a woman chooses to marry a minister, she should be ready to accept the unique challenges that will come especially if her spouse travels a lot. I heard Rodney Howard-Browne’s wife Adonica point out they didn’t have their own home during the first fourteen years of their marriage. God provided places to stay for them and their three kids while conducting revival meetings in various cities. Answering the call to ministry comes with a price that is not always easy or convenient.  

Extra material possessions are nice to have but won’t guarantee a successful marriage. If a minister’s wife happens to earn more money than her spouse, she should never use that against him. Every man of God who is (or wants to be) married needs a helpmate who will faithfully encourage him to fulfill his calling.

“So Jesus answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.’” - Mark 10:29-30

Honoring Mac Hammond

All believers should honor their “fathers in the faith”, ministers God used to help them grow spiritually. One who started impacting my life just before I committed my life to the Lord is Mac Hammond, pastor of Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Today happens to be his 70th birthday.

Originally from the Deep South, James McBryde “Mac” Hammond served in the Air Force during which he flew 198 combat missions. After his discharge, he ran a successful airfreight business. A business acquisition brought Mac and his wife Lynne to the Minneapolis area where they ultimately founded Living Word Christian Center in 1980.

I first heard Pastor Mac in February 1991. My then-girlfriend had started attending Living Word and invited me to go with her one Sunday morning. Mac was in the midst of a teaching series about end-time prophecy in response to the Gulf War that began a month earlier. He also encouraged first-time visitors to come back a couple of more times “to take a more accurate measure of us as a church.”

The next two times I went to Living Word, I still resisted the altar call for salvation. I actually got offended near the end of my third visit when Pastor Mac instructed the congregation to turn to each other and say, “Jesus is my Lord.” (I now use a similar technique when witnessing to someone who claims to be a Christian.) As we were leaving the church, I told my girlfriend I did not want to go back there again. Still, I knew in my heart that I needed to get my spiritual life in order. I did so a few days later when my sister and her husband led me to the Lord.  

Soon I attended membership classes at Living Word and decided to make it my home church. Every weekend I looked forward to hearing Mac Hammond minister. I admired his speaking abilities and knowledge of the Bible. Mac frequently reminded us from the pulpit that we come to church to hear from God and not be entertained by man. Listening to Pastor Mac’s sermons helped me overcome a lot of erroneous beliefs I picked up over the years. Although he is often criticized by the media for preaching a so-called “prosperity gospel,” Mac often says, “God wants you to be a winner in every area of life.”

Because Living Word is a large church, Mac Hammond delegates many pastoral duties to staff members. Therefore, I never got to know him on a personal level. Still, the Lord used Pastor Mac to speak into my life many times. One night in February 1992 before dismissing the service, Mac announced he had a word of knowledge saying, “Someone here is involved in a multi-level marketing company...you need to get out of it and find a regular job.” This was a confirmation to a dream I had the day before. For the next four years I worked at a variety of places before God called me into the ministry.

Eventually, the Lord led me to leave Living Word and travel as a full-time missionary. One Sunday morning in 2002, I was staying with a friend in Lakeland, Florida, and decided to walk over to a nearby church. When I arrived at Family Worship Center, the first service was still in progress. Immediately, I recognized the voice of the minister speaking. Mac Hammond happened to be the guest speaker that day! It was a pleasant surprise to see and hear my former pastor again. When I came back for the evening service, I got to briefly talk with Pastor Mac.

Since returning to the Twin Cities for what has become an extended stay, I’ve frequently visited Living Word Christian Center and resumed evangelizing with them. Although the Lord has led me to become more involved with another local church, I will always be grateful for Pastor Mac. His obedience to the call of God changed my life as well as many others. 

I pray that Mac Hammond’s 70th birthday is a glorious one!

“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.” - 1 Timothy 5:17

A True Apostle

Normally I’m not quick to un-friend fellow believers on Facebook. I recognize all of us are at different levels of spiritual maturity. Still, one disturbing trend I’ve noticed is professing Christians posting profanity online. Earlier this year I issued a statement on my wall rebuking those who repeatedly engage in such activity. In response, a (now former) friend wrote, “I train my kids to say s*** like a true apostle.” I was shocked to read this. My mother would have washed my mouth out with soap if I said a word like that to her!

Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines apostle as “a person deputed to execute some important business; but appropriately, a disciple of Christ.” The Greek word for apostle is apostolos, which means “one who is sent”; “messenger”, “envoy”, and “ambassador.” Apostolos was derived from a sailing term meaning to send a particular ship or group of ships, a marine expedition, or the leader of such.

In Revelation 2:2, Jesus commended the church of Ephesus because “…you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars.” 2 Corinthians 11:13 also warns against “false apostles.” Years ago I briefly stayed with a man who insisted I address him as “Apostle So-and-so.” At the time, the only ministry I saw him involved in was occasionally helping out in a food pantry. One day when I worked with him there, another person asked how I could handle being around this self-proclaimed apostle who was really bossy (believe me, he was not an easy person to live with). 1 Thessalonians 2:6 says, “Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.”

The position of an apostle is not something one can aspire to obtain. At the beginning of his epistle to the Galatians, Paul called himself an apostle “not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead.” In his greeting to the Ephesians, Paul said he was “an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.”

So what is a true apostle? 2 Corinthians 12:12 says, “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.” One walking in true apostolic authority obeys the Great Commission. His calling is confirmed with signs following that lift up the name of Jesus.

A true apostle also demonstrates humility. Paul is often considered Christianity’s greatest apostle. Yet he wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:9, “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” 

Some of you might remember “The Apostle”, a 1997 film written and directed by Robert Duvall, who also starred in the title role. Duvall played a troubled minister named Sonny who moves into a new town and starts up a church to be taken over by another pastor. A modern-day apostle typically functions as a church planter.

Nevertheless, some ministers will argue there are no apostles and prophets today. One man emailed me claiming, “There will always be 12 apostles...Period.” It would be helpful for him to read Ephesians 4...

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

The Body of Christ certainly hasn’t “come to the unity of the faith” yet. Therefore, God is still using apostles today. Some ministers referred to as missionaries are really apostles since they are sent out for the purpose of starting a new work for the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:20 says, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” All believers are representatives of Jesus Christ whether or not they are called to the five-fold ministry. 

How are you representing Him?

“in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.” - Titus 2:7-8

You’re Covered

Over the years I’ve heard ministers give differing opinions as to whether they should have a “covering” or a fellow minister overseeing them. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines covering as “a thing used to cover something else, typically in order to protect or conceal it.” One apostle I know preaches that everybody should have a pastor. I believe that’s good advice, especially for newborn believers. Whenever leading someone to the Lord, I always encourage him (or her) to find a good church where he can be discipled and grow in the things of God.

The Bible mentions people who had spiritual mentors: Joshua had Moses, Elisha had Elijah, and Timothy had Paul. On the other hand, Moses never had a spiritual father nor did Elijah or Paul. Paul even cited that as proof of his apostleship (Galatians 1:15-17).

I’ve heard some Christians claim, “I am submitted to God, and no one else!” People who make remarks like that tend to have a rebellious attitude and are not open to correction. Although a believer “ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29), Ephesians 5:21 talks about “submitting to one another in the fear of God.” 1 Peter 5:5 also says, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.”

Nevertheless, there are times when a Christian must step out even if others disagree with where God is guiding him. In 1996, I resigned from my job at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association because the Lord wanted me to attend revival meetings in Toronto but my supervisor wouldn‘t give me the time off. He plus elders from my church questioned my decision. To them, it looked foolish for me to leave a “stable job.” But instead of following their opinions, I obeyed what God instructed me to do. As a result, I had the opportunity to stretch my faith and live in Toronto for two months where the Lord met my needs. After returning to Minnesota, I came back to work at Billy Graham. Two years later, I left that job for good to travel on the mission field full-time.

Now and then I haven’t officially had a home church but still sought counsel from other ministers I kept in contact with. Sometimes the Lord has led me to temporarily move to a new city where I initially didn’t have any spiritual connections. In situations like that, I always sought out a good church to attend that I could also refer newborn believers to. Occasionally pastors there encouraged me to come forward and speak without hearing me preach beforehand. They discerned by the Spirit of God I had something to say that would bless their congregations.

Still, there have been critics who accused me of being a “lone ranger.” Until recently I considered paying money to join a ministerial organization so my ministry would have greater creditability. But then I heard this powerful statement from Ian Clayton: “You don’t have to buy a covering when Jesus is your covering.”

If you happen to be in-between churches right now, pray and ask God to lead you to where He wants you planted and to whom He wants you accountable. Until then, God has you covered if you are submitted to Him.

“He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” - Psalm 91:4