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

The Use of Prophecy in Church Today

still be held in check in the local church setting until the right opportu nity presents itself. Sometimes a person feels so excited and empowered that it seems the message must explode forth, like a tissue popping out of its box. This is the way I was in my first prophecy; but I have gradually learned better how to work with the word that is given me. A wise pas tor once told me concerning spiritual gifts, "The locomotive will not have much power if it releases it all out in steam." Inspired song and music. An example of this is found in 1 Chronicles 25:1-3. The prophet sometimes played a musical instrument to facilitate his spiritual sensitivity and cut through mental unbelief and emotional disturbance. Elisha found it hard to prophesy until the psalmist began to sing Davidic odes (2 Kings 3:15). The same thoughts apply to the musi cian as to the person prophesying. At times the musician's music is more than mere accompaniment; it is actually prophetic ministry capable of affecting people powerfully. Here are fourteen concepts to keep in mind for maintaining a smooth, orderly flow in a public worship service. This section will be followed by another one listing helps for the person before going to the microphone, and another on the person's decorum while at the microphone. My objective: to suggest a reasonable prophetic protocol. These guide lines are not meant to be applied harshly. Church leadership should never have as its primary role the discouragement of oddball prophecies. We are not policemen but shepherds and must encourage the development and maturity of this wonderful gift in as many of God's people as possi ble. We must "[speak] the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). Shaming. If a church member ventures out in prophecy but makes a mistake, our biggest error would be to publicly rebuke and harshly crit icize. Any hint of shaming should be avoided. This is a time for the lead ership to show great love and concern. A constructive approach will not discourage but encourage that person (as well as the rest of the church) to maintain interest in prophesying. Imperfection. In all these things we admit that no one has a corner on God, and nothing is yet perfect. People are still learning, and there is great variety in all our gifts and ministries. All this requires patience and tolerance. Edification. It is important for us to search out personal motives when considering whether to prophesy. Those coming to the mike should feel they have something worthwhile for the entire congregation. For the Sun- • 366 General Principles to Guide