I want you to prophesy!

Paul’s message to the Corinthian church in 1 Cor.14:1-5 regarding prophecy is clear – prophecy brings strengthening, encouragement and comfort. As leaders we all want these things for our churches!

The major prophetic ‘words’ spoken to us at King’s Church both reinforce the importance of prophecy and give examples of prophetic words that have been instrumental in redirecting our lives and focus – individually and corporately.

The first ‘prophetic word’ to mention really shaped our vision of King’s - what we believe God has called us to do. It was brought by Steve Nicholson and his team of prophetic guys from the Vineyard Movement who visited King’s when I had been pastor for 4 weeks. We had an evening where they met with the leadership team and we received the following prophecy. It was God’s word to us as a church. It has shaped what we’ve done - an important word!

“I have a series of pictures. First a military snare drum, infantry division, early 19th century. The drum and some drum sticks. The sticks are slightly damaged. They are on a shelf in a basement next to a window. They are slightly illuminated. That picture was burned away by a flame of a candle. The candle is the second picture. It is in a darker, deeper basement. The candle is set down by a monk type figure, a monk’s cloak, a book, an old book, very ancient and dusty.”

Having already told you that this prophetic word shaped this church - it’s got the phrase ‘a monk’s cloak’ in it! Wow. At this point the ability to weigh and interpret such words become of first importance. I’m talking about revelation here.

To be continued...

It's great to be back!

Highlights of my sabbatical include a fantastic family holiday in the States, a half-written book, the completion of the purchase of the Lee Green building - and 77 on the golf course! On Sundays I visited eight different churches, both here in the UK and also in the USA and saw and heard some thought-provoking things!


And I return refreshed and ready for the next phase of ministry! Raring to go! Setting the tone for the year, the next few weeks sees another first for us at King’s - the start of preaching four times on a Sunday across two sites. The first draft of the book has to be with the publisher by the end of September, then there are key planning meetings for the move to three sites with 5 or 6 Sunday meetings (this development to take place in the next 6 months), and this includes building projects on two of the three church sites. King’s Church is changing – radically!

However – there’s a key leadership lesson for me. Following another intense year in church life and a brilliant sabbatical, I must not make last year’s work pattern into a life style! Looking at the above list of things to be done, I would value those who regularly take the time to read this blog asking me from time to time, ‘How are you doing with those boundaries?’...

Stop Press

Building contracts exchanged, purchase completed!

 

I am delighted to inform you that we have exchanged contracts on the Lee Green building and that completion of the legal transfer of ownership has taken place! The ‘new’ building is now the property of King’s Church!

Just over a year on from the original phone call that made us aware of this opportunity, the building is now ours. How great is our God! I honestly believe that this huge step of faith we have taken together will provide the foundation for thousands of people to come to Christ in our generation and for generations to come.


My thanks yet again for your on-going support for this remarkable venture. What a great church King’s is! And what a fantastic God we serve!


And I promise that this will be the last interruption to my break from blog-posting as I continue to enjoy my sabbatical and prepare for the exciting days ahead at Kings!


For a virtual tour of the building visit our new multi-site website at www.movetomultisite.co.uk

Steve Tibbert is currently on sabbatical and will return in September

A Multi-site Road Trip - Greg Surratt, Greg Ligon and Warren Bird

This is been the most helpful book I have read on multi-site church. It continues to shape our thinking at King’s, Catford as we transition to becoming a fully-fledged multi-site church.

If you are looking at this issue and are seriously considering ‘going multi-site’, then I would say that this book is an essential read.

Church Unique - Will Mancini

This is a leadership book that made me think! I found sections I quickly disagreed with and other chapters which really helped me.

The chapter summaries and the emphases on leadership in books written over the last few decades were insightful, showing how we have moved from church growth to effective church and now to missional church.

I wonder what will be next?

Honor and Shame - Roland Muller

This book was recommended to me by David Devenish, whose wide experience of cross-cultural ministry makes him well worth listening to! It opened my mind to new thinking on how three predominant world views shape our mind-set, our interpretation of scripture and our outlook on life. A ‘must read’ for any one involved in cross cultural ministry or in leading a multi-cultural/multi-ethnic church. The insight into Guilt/Law, Shame/Honour and Fear/Power based cultures was brilliant.

Making of a Leader - Dr J Robert Clinton

Summer is an excellent time to invest in our reading! Over the next few blogs I will be suggesting some titles that I have found useful.

If you have enjoyed my recent postings on the seasons of life and leadership preparation tests, this book will be a good follow up. It’s a leadership book with a difference - looking at what God is doing in us and with us through the seasons of life and in our ministry opportunities - it will help you appreciate God’s timing and His sovereignty. A good book for the summer to help you take stock and look again at where you are in leadership and ministry!