Nine Ways to Deal with Church Bullies

ThomRainer

In my post on Monday, I dealt with the traits of church bullies. I now move from descriptive to prescriptive. How do we deal with church bullies? What can we do to prevent such bullying? Here are nine of my suggestions:

The Greatest Call: Come, Follow Me

Even the most menial job can be christened "sacred" by Jesus.

Leslie Leyland Fields

Those who join the clergy or become missionaries or in some way enter “full-time Christian service” are clearly doing more for the kingdom than the rest of us—right?
 

I’m standing on the beach, surrounded by fishing nets and rotting jellyfish. My hands are cramping from three days of morning-to-night net mending, untangling the wet mess of ropes, and yanking gloppy jellyfish from the web. I’m happy to be working with my husband and sons, but I’m ready for a rescue. I’m ready for Jesus to come strolling along our Alaskan beach like he did on the shores of Galilee, calling out the simple deliverance to those fishermen, “Come, follow me!” (Matthew 4:19).

“…SO WHY DIE SUCH A TRAGIC DEATH?”

By Pastor Sunday Adelaja (upgraded and expanded)

 

The need to write this article after the video of a similar title was released on social media, arose because of so many requests by friends and followers of our ministry. Many, who don`t have access to the internet could not download the video, but preferred to have the message in text form. I also think it is proper to upgrade my statement in this article by establishing some of the points scripturally. From the comments I have been receiving on my social media pages I understand that many Christians do not seem to see the Biblical perspective of my submissions.

 

I therefore wish to encourage everyone to finish reading this article even if you have watched the video, since some of the fundamental principles that were not in the video will be reviewed in this article. Thank you for your understanding. Enjoy your read.
I am a covenant brother to Dr. Myles Munroe, therefore I am compelled to respond to the numerous insinuations that have been raised from many people regarding the circumstances of his home going. As covenant people, we know that the conditions and terms of a covenant require that one party stands for the other if the need arises. I therefore wish to give a comprehensive explanation to what I think God is trying to tell us through the death of Dr. Myles Munroe and his entourage. I am also sure that this article will go a long way to support and encourage people everywhere, who have lost or will lose their loved ones either by tragic or controversial circumstances. One of the questions that surfaces on a daily basis in the minds of Christians worldwide is; how is it possible that brothers and sisters that have served God all their lives can suffer and die in a controversial or even tragic manner. 

Turning away from lies (1)

By Rev Ola Oladejo

"Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies." (Ps.40:4)

The conversion, some years ago, of the king pin of an advance fee fraud syndicate to Christ in Surulere, Lagos illustrates the evil of living a life of lies and the urgent need for all to hear the word of God and turn away from lies and deception. The man in question had seen how his friend an estate manager prospered after coming for prayers. He wanted God to do same for him. So led by the estate manager he came for help in prayers.

He desperately needed a turn around because his nefarious 419 trade, as Nigerians call the evil, was nose-diving. Like most people on the wrong lane, he somewhat believed the lie that an anointed man of God could reverse the series of ill fortunes he was witnessing while still actively involved in the sinful practice.

Rev Ola Oladejo

To cut the story short I cannot forget our first meeting as he tried to dribble and cover up his occupation that he wanted God to bless. There I was being confronted with the depth a man can plunge himself into for having believed a lie for too long and having patterned his life after falsehood. When I insisted on knowing his profession and his means of livelihood, he confessed that he was a 419 man, a common name for fraudsters in Nigeria. I told him if he wanted his prayer to be answered he must give his life to Christ and forsake 419 entirely.

Washington's Bethany Community Church Gives Former Strip Club a Holy Purpose

By Michael Gryboski , Christian Post Reporter

(Photo: Bill Brammer) A former strip club turned coffee shop and office space for the multisite Bethany Community Church, based in Seattle. The shop, known as One Cup, is located in Shoreline, a city north of Seattle.

A church in Washington state is converting a former strip club into an evangelistic facility that's serving the community seven days a week.

Bethany Community Church, a Seattle-based multi-site congregation founded in 1900, acquired the former strip club called "Sugars" and has turned it into a site for missions.

The strip club was located in the city of Shoreline, which is north of Seattle. The facility will serve as part of Bethany Community Church North.

DR. AKANBI IN UK TO CELEBRATE SOUTHAMPTON’S ANNIVERSARY

By Ola Jones

“…But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundred fold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold.” – Matthew13:4-8

 

Six years ago the seed was planted; when it was sown, it fell on a good ground and nurtured with heavenly grace. Little wonder it has been germinating with very strong roots deep in the soil. The fruits at every season have become something of pride; thanks to the awesome hands of God which have made it an outstanding plant.

 

It is outstanding because when the farmer sowed, it did not fall by the way side for the fowls to devour and neither did it fall upon a stony place where it could not have enough earth to survive.

Dr. James Akanbi 

 

This is how the Southampton branch of the God’s Mercy Revival Ministries (GOMERM) in the United Kingdom which celebrates its anniversary tomorrow, April 28, 2013 with a powerful ministration by the General Overseer and a highly respected man of God, Dr James Oluwole Akanbi has been growing from glory to glory.

 

With the grace given from the throne of the Most High God, Pastors Oluseyi and Christiana Asiyanbi, the shepherds in charge of the Southampton flock in January 2006 began a mini fellowship in their flat with one other adult and two children. The duo with the support of Dr Akanbi worked hard that it did not take long before the first seed of GOMERM in the United Kingdom was let into the earth. Four months after this spiritual conception, precisely April 23, 2006, the seed nurtured by Seyi and Christiana sprouted out from the earth and a new foliage was officially inaugurated by Dr Akanbi.

Pastors Oluseyi and Christiana Asiyanbi

 

Today the branch has moved from power to power and Grace to Grace feeding from the spiritual strength supplied by the stem which itself enjoys enormous and powerful anointing as given unto faithful prophets of the old by God. This is clearly evident by the several testimonies emerging from miracles, healings and deliverances in Jesus Name.

 

Buttressing this, Bro Oscar a member of the church whose life took a new turn after an unpleasant experience once said in his testimony of the enormous blessings he has enjoyed since he became a Gomermite

 

"God led me to this Ministry and He has transformed my life ever since. For the short time I have been with the church, my dreams have come to pass; my life has turned around for the better as a result of many miracles. I have enjoyed love and care form other members, which is reflected in their own respective lives," he said with joy.

 

Also recounting her experience, Sister Alice said "The past few years in the church have really been wonderful.” Adding that, “Joining the church, I was initially felt quite anxious, but everyone was so welcoming and friendly. I can testify to my growth in the LORD. I am more confident in witnessing to people and sharing the good news of the gospel. I give God all the praise, AMEN"

 

Quite interesting is the testimony of the UK based Egbe family who saw the kindness of God to the in GOMERM as an undeserved generosity

 

While appreciating the huge grace from God, Mr. Egbe said “By God’s grace, my wife and I celebrated our 2nd year anniversary, and in the last 2 years, God has blessed us so much. We have had a baby girl, born safely by God’s grace, despite man’s report. And we also would like to thank God for the generosity of the Pastors and the church family after the delivery.

 

“We would also like to thank God for our health, and our lives. My wife was experiencing bad dreams of death, and this affected her daily routine, she was uncomfortable to drive alone with our baby, and or drive on the motorway. This was concerning and we worried about her getting to and from work. We spoke to our Pastor about it and he counselled us and by God’s grace, the dreams stopped. We are giving this testimony to confirm the glory of God in our lives and the victory he has given us over death! Amen!"

 

There are numerous testimonies emerging with each passing day from Southampton and for Pastors Oluseyi and Christiana Asiyanbi, they are enough to give thanks to God for His faithfulness thus the presence of their Spiritual father, Dr. James Oluwole Akanbi and his amiable wife, Mummy G.O in UK to celebrate God with a powerful revival this weekend. Congratulations to the people in Zion.