The Partnering Paradigm
By Chad Taylor
Jan 21, 2003
THE PARTNERING PARADIGM In these last five years of full time ministry, or at least the principle of traveling on a continual basis, I have seen a predictable procedure of operation in ministry. The majority of ministries that I have been associated with are sustained by strict itineraries and calendared events. I have fallen under this category and practice as well. This in turn provides the necessary offerings and honorariums to honor or pay the speaker for that series of meetings. Without this protocol the ministries obligations would not be met. They are locked into this mode or method of ministry. The breakdown or setback in this approach is: The always pending possibility of revival and the sovereign move of God. Itineraries then can run the risk of aborting revival because they have already predetermined the length of time in that city. Thus negating the entrance of revival or an ongoing outbreak of God's presence in that region or church. I have faced this dilemma three times in five years. When I visited Boise, ID. Jan. of 2001 from Alaska for a week of meetings, an ongoing outbreak of God's presence occurred. Over 200 youth off the streets were baptized in water with salvation in 3 months. (I have never returned to Alaska since that date.) In February of 2002 I visited Ahoskie, North Carolina for a another series of meetings and a "ongoing outbreak of God's presence" took control. I have never returned to my previous home in Boise since that date and it is now January 2003. The "breakout" of God's presence in Ahoskie exploded for over 6 months and reports still confirm its continuance. North Carolina was marked by the same salvation phenomena's as bar owners came into the church to receive Christ and the worship teams went to the taverns to worship. This type of outpouring has been experienced on many fronts throughout history, we have called it; REVIVAL. It cannot be pre-planned, dated or timed, and certainly not condensed into a week or a series of meetings with a predetermined ending. It defies such limitations and breaks all protocol and logic. It is God. This does not negate schedules or dated conferences etc. The handicap is this: The ministers that are locked into itineraries do not have the liberty or grace to continue in that area or church until the move of God comes to fruition. The demand of time and finances have overruled the sovereign hand of God. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it will go next, so it is with the Spirit..." (John 3:8). We need sails not anchors to prepare for revival. This is the "paradigm shift" so to speak in partnering and giving that I am seeing, and to some degree, experiencing. God is bringing forth a dimension in partnering and networking throughout the Body of Christ that will revolutionize ministry as we understand it now. It will put us into an arena of liberty that the early apostles experienced which enabled them to propagate the gospel at an alarming speed. This present paradigm of giving and receiving limits both the ministry and the recipient of the ministry. Ministers are grid locked by calendars and pre-planned events to even pay their bills. The recipients of their ministry suffer because the full potential of what the Holy Spirit desires to do in that church and city is stunted. God desires to bring forth revival in every city; your city. But this present paradigm must be broken. We must allow the Lord to implement and impart a new strategy in giving and receiving that will enable front-line/end time ministries to propagate revival. The early apostolic church had this: "And the apostles preached powerful messages about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and there was warm fellowship among all the believers, and no poverty-- for all who owned land or houses sold them and brought the money to the apostles to give to others in need. (Acts 4:33-34 - The Living Bible) The apostles were equipped to do exactly and go exactly where the Lord sent them. Paul proved this in Acts 28:30: "Paul lived for the next two years in his own rented house and welcomed all who visited him, telling them with all boldness about the Kingdom of God and about the Lord Jesus Christ; and no one tried to stop him." When an ongoing outbreak of God's presence occurred Paul stayed. BARNABAS'S: THE RADICAL GIVERS One dimension of the partnering paradigm will be individuals that the Holy Spirit raises up that identifies with a particular ministry and commits financially to it. No strings attached. "For instance, there was Joseph (the one the apostles nicknamed "Barnabas, the encourager"! He was of the tribe of Levi, from the island of Cyprus). He was one of those who sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles for distribution to those in need." (Acts 4:36-37). These "Barnabas's" will connect with a ministry in a critical junction that will enable them to remain in a region or travel to the next one where otherwise they could not. The business world calls these kind of people "silent partners." I see the shadows of these silent partners on the heels of key ministries even now. The Holy Spirit is speaking to them by dreams, visions and Spiritual impressions where and when to sow and to commit financially. This will "set free" the modern day ministries that are being sent into the earth to liberate entire cities and regions. Like the apostles of old they will echo, "Now look around among yourselves, dear brothers, and select seven men, wise and full of the Holy Spirit, who are well thought of by everyone; and we will put them in charge of this business. Then we can spend our time in prayer, preaching, and teaching..." (Acts 6:3-4). ISAACS: SOWERS IN TIMES OF FAMINE Genesis 26 opens with this statement, "There was a famine in that land..." In the midst of this financial crisis God raised up a giver of radical proportions that defied the "present paradigm." "Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him." (Gen 26:12). This year, 2003, as we are overshadowed by war and terrorism, "Isaacs" will rise up that will startle statistics investing in key ministries that will reap cities and nations. God will multiply their seed at a stunning rate that will enable them to give into a spectrum of ministries around the world. Harvest will no longer be lost because of financial strangle holds. This new partnering paradigm will explode obscure and unheard of ministries into the forefront of global impact. This is happening even now. An apostolic foundation of giving and receiving is being established that will withstand the weight of glory about to be poured out. "And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (Acts 2:44-45).
Chad Taylor
To Subscribe to our Email Group email: harvestrevival-subscribe@myinjesus.com www.consumingfire.com |