Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy - Prophetic Gifts Today In The New Testament Church

The Use of Prophecy in Church Today

The first level occurs when the person in charge of the meeting pub licly reviews and comments on the prophecies that have been brought, carefully not including a comment about a questionable contribution. A perceptive person and congregation will note the absence of comment. (This is not the procedure for something blatantly unscriptural, which would receive public comment.) The second level takes place when the person who gave a questionable prophecy comes again and gives another dubious word. One of the eld ers or ministers of the church goes to that person, explains that he or she has come to the mike two or three times, then asks, "Did you notice that what you said was not included in the summary?" The omission, it is explained, was because the leadership did not feel it contributed to the church. The person is then asked not to come forward for the next three months to minister, regardless of how he or she feels. This gives the per son time to observe how others participate, and reflect on his or her own approach. After three months the person is invited to come back to the elder and talk about prophecy and its evaluation. The third level occurs if that same person walks up to the mike to min ister when he or she has been told not to do so. The mike is refused and the person sent back to sit down. If this is refused, he or she is escorted out of the sanctuary. Bishop David Pytches is the retired vicar of this successful charismatic Anglican church. Although the congregation believes strongly in order and structure, it "is not really a matter of strict rules so much as a sound relationship." Here are eight of Pytches' suggestions: • An announcement is made in the service about the use of spiritual gifts for the benefit of visitors and to forestall any misuse. • The right of ministry is reserved for regular worshipers in the church for the sake of decency and order. • Prophecies in the worship service are limited to two or three. • The leader summarizes key thoughts to the congregation through a microphone. • They prefer not to give the mike to those who prophesy, although admitting it does function well in some places. • A prophecy discussed beforehand may be selected to be given over the microphone. • Space is allowed for this ministry, even if it is not used. • 346 8. St. Andrew's (Chorleywood, England)