MINISTERS MATTER

UKRAINE CONFERENCE NOTES 1/9 Honour

CREATING A CULTURE OF HONOUR

Describe your understanding of God in one sentence.
He has described Himself in John 3:16.

Three FUNDAMENTAL truths

1. God calls and keeps calling all the days of our life.
2. He is conforming each of us to the image of His dear Son daily.
3. Everything is working together for good...

THE LIFE OF JOSEPH

Talk about the conflicts at home with his family, being sold into slavery, betrayed and lied about in Potiphar's house, spent years in jail as an innocent man waiting patiently for his release. Then divine appointments bring him from obscurity to prominence as Second in Command next to Pharaoh.

Session 1. Fixing our eyes on Jesus as the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Our personal walk in the Lord.
How do we honour Him in our life?

Session 2. How do we create a culture of honour in our homes?
Our walk with our spouse and children.
The influence of honour in the home on the health of each member of the household.

Session 3. Creating a culture of honour in the House of the Lord.
Imagine what a church or congregation, flowing in honour, could accomplish in each community.

Summary.

We gather because of Him. He is the reason of gathering.
We are a divine community. Transformation is at work.
We are community of love. Love never fails!

At Mission O, Ministers Matter!

REPORT FROM THE UKRAINE

I am including a report from David Schneier, who has served in the Ukraine for the last 12 years, on my second trip into the Ukraine to work with Messianic leaders.

Barry

SHALOM FROM PARIS.

I, David Schneier, had the privilege to co-lead a retreat of 70 leaders from southern Ukraine from April 30th to May 2nd in a Baptist conference center in Odessa.

We were blessed to have Barry Boucher, founding Pastor of the Life Centre in Ottawa, Canada, share on the subject of "Establishing a Culture of Honour" in the body of Messiah.

I shared on Jewish/biblical values - such as keeping your word even if it hurts you; not receiving gossip; not being a boss/lord of those you are called to serve; wealth is given to accomplish God's purposes; our God is the God of the 2nd chance; loyalty that is not blind, naive or silent; unity not uniformity and the consequences of failing to discern the body of Messiah which need to be established in our families and congregations so that the Messianic movement of Ukraine can move forward to its next level.

We spent three wonderful days together and everyone came away refreshed with a sense that they had recaptured some of the original brotherly love they experienced when the Messianic revival began in Ukraine some 15 years ago. The fellowship they experienced was safe, open and encouraging without expectations of ministry output like you would expect from a factory.

We are already planning a followup retreat for these leaders and others in the fall because after 15 years of revival the Messianic movement in Ukraine needs to restore what made it initially so powerful and compelling.

For me personally, the scripture in I Thess. 2:8 was fulfilled, "...we were well pleased to impart unto you not only the Gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us." 

Please pray that what has been achieved in deepening relationships in Ukraine amongst these leaders will blossom in the months ahead.

Love and Shalom.
David & Leslye
www.messianicinitiative.org

E-mail: schneiers@aol.com

If you would like to contribute to their support, please send your cheque, made payable to Glory of Zion Int’l Ministries, to:

The Schneiers
c/o Glory of Zion Int’l Ministries
PO Box 1601
Denton, TX 76202-1601

Please include a note with your cheque that it is “For the Schneiers.”

If you would like to make a credit card donation, go to www.glory-of-zion.org, click on "Make a donation" at the bottom of the home page, fill in your credit card info on the Gift page and in the Comment Section fill in "This gift is for the Schneiers."This last step will insure that your gift will go to our ministry.

Here are some photos from the conference and a tour of the catacombs under Odessa that provided shelter for the underground fighters during WWII:

January 31st. a day of honouring others!

Marcel Boucher

Today has been very special for me. It started as a day to remember my dad's birthday. He went to be with the Lord a few years ago after living a full but difficult life. I treasure memories of a man who said he regretted not getting an education and kept challenging me to get one. He worked two jobs most of his life to simply provide for his family. During the day he was an orderly at the Rideau Veteran's Hospital and in the evenings he cleaned floors at Sears till 11 pm. I honour my dad as one who was dependable, honest and faithful. He raised his family through triumph and tragedy. He loved us and only wanted the best for his children. I honour my dad today and I am proud to be his son!

Emma Boucher

Today has also been a treat thinking about my granddaughter Emma. She had her fourth birthday today and as we chatted on the phone, I was amazed at how grownup she sounds. I am looking forward to Friday night when the whole family will gather to celebrate with her. Happy Birthday Emma Faith Barbara Joyce!

Joyce Boucher

Wow! How can one day get any better? Tonight I had the joy of seeing my wife Joyce be honoured by some of the women she has mentored - both young and younger. They spoke words of affirmation to her as she sat on a chair facing them. They elaborated on how she has impacted their lives and taught them to build 'a culture of honour' wherever they go. Each wrote out a note with special words, gave her an appropriate gift that went with the letter and then gathered around her to pray blessing on her life.

I couldn't have been more proud to see her honoured today.

Joyce is my Proverbs 31:27 woman. "She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

January 31, 2008 was an honourable day in the Boucher household.

Honour begins at home.

This blog is meant to honour those who serve in ministry across the Body of Christ. I invite you to add your comments and also to make me aware of links to blogs with similar themes. MM is meant to be a place we can exchange our stories, our practical life experiences and the wisdom we’ve gleaned from being in ministry.

Watch this short clip on showing honour to others. Here is a church community, putting honour into practise according to biblical principles and not just talking about it. Listen to the difference it makes to others when you take the time honour them. It adds value to how they see themselves.

I'd like to encourage you to add a comment on a time you were honoured by your family or friends.

Let us also look for ways to honour our ministers, to encourage them, to let them know we appreciate all they do on our behalf. Send a card, a personal note or arrange to meet just to let them know how much you appreciate all they do on your behalf. Let your minister know he/she is a winner in your eyes.

“The desire to win is born in most of us. The will to win is a matter of training. The manner of winning is a matter of honour.” Margaret Thatcher, former PM of Great Britian.

At Mission O, Ministers Matter!

The Enduring Principle of Honour

This blog is meant to honour those who serve in ministry across the Body of Christ. I invite you to add your comments and would appreciate you directing me to blogs with similar themes. MM is meant to be a place we can exchange our stories, our practical life experiences and the wisdom we’ve gleaned from being in ministry.

When we look up at the scoreboard during a game it tells us the score. It does not fully explain what is going on in the game but it sure makes it clear who is winning and who is losing.

In the early days of Jesus' ministry He met some non-Jews, or Gentiles who needed His help. One was an Italian in Matthew 8 and the other a Syro-Phoenician woman with an issue of blood in Mark 7.

The centurion was a Roman Officer, a member of the occupying forces in the country. We see him coming to Jesus in a humility that is demonstrated by both his words and deeds. He honours Jesus publicly. That would be like a coalition commander coming to an Iraqi citizen the way this centurion came to Jesus. Imagine the consternation on the faces of those gathered?

This man had a servant who was now paralyzed, tormented and in need. This powerful centurion was powerless to help his own servant even though he could command thousands of men to do battle. Sounds like us today with all our powerful technology being reduced to tears in the face of impossible situations.

He expresses his unworthiness to have Jesus come to his house and asks Him to only speak the word for his servant to be healed. Here is a man who understands what it is like to be under authority and therefore have authority.

Jesus acknowledges his humility, his display of honour and the exercise of his faith.

Jesus even holds this man up as an example to all who were there, this is a man of great faith! Honour enabled him to receive what was needed in his household.

The Enduring Principle of Honour

1 Samuel 2:30 says, "'Far be it from Me, for those who honour Me I will honour."

In the second case, the woman who was sick, saw the importance of touching Jesus in faith, believing in who He said He was. She honoured Him and God honoured her with healing and a restored life. At this point the scoreboard looked like this: Team Gentiles 2 Team Jews 0

Honour is at the heart of the gospel. It is an enduring principle.

At Mission O, Ministers Matter!

 

Honour is more than lip service!

This blog is meant to honour those who serve in ministry across the Body of Christ. I invite you to add your comments and would appreciate you directing me to blogs with similar themes. MM is meant to be a place we can exchange our stories, our practical life experiences and the wisdom we’ve gleaned from being in ministry.

A challenging scripture for me is found in Isaiah 29 when God reveals that honour is an issue of the heart not just the lips. He says, "Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me..." I can hear His pain as He describes a people called by His Name, but, at the heart level they only show Him dishonour.

The people of Nazareth, in Jesus' hometown, would do the same thing in the years to come. They would not treat Jesus with the honour due Him as the Son of God. He was God's minister in their midst!

The faith level in Jesus as Messiah was so low in Nazareth that He could only heal a few sick folk rather than extend the kingdom of God in signs, wonders and miracles. They expected little and received little.

Honour is important to God and should be important to us. We need to examine what goes on inside of us towards others - our spouse, children, fellow ministers, our congregation, the neighbours, our co-workers or fellow students.

What kind of conversation is going on within us towards them? Do we hold them in high regard or of little value? Our actions will be the litmus test of whether or not honour is more than lip service to us.

Listen and watch this description of Jesus by the late Rev. S.M. Lockridge who is now in the presence of the One he honoured all the days of his life.

At Mission O, Ministers Matter!

Why was Jesus without honour in Nazareth?

This blog is primarily for ministry leaders from across the Body of Christ. Please have a look and add your comments. MM is meant to be a place we can exchange our stories, experiences and the wisdom we’ve gleaned from being in ministry. I am passionate about creating a culture of honouring one another as fellow ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Mark 6:4 Jesus says these words, "A prophet is not without honour, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household."

Imagine Jesus being without honour in his own village, among His relatives and even his own family?

As ministers, we know exactly what that feels like and have often wondered why people treat us with so little honour? The answer is in the definition.

In Greek, the word for honour is 'time' pronounced 'tee mee'. It means something valuable, precious, weighty like gold. It can also carry an understanding of being appreciated, esteemed, favoured, regarded or respected.

In Canada, we wear red on Friday to show our support for the troops who have put themselves in harms way on behalf of freedom. We are showing that we respect and honour our soldiers for their service.

The opposite of honour is dishonour. To show no respect, no value and to treat others with disdain or commonality. I see this showing up in churches when people begin to devalue their minister so he/she is without honour in the eyes of the congregation.

This is how they treated Jesus in Nazareth and why He took a short walk over the Galilean hills to setup His headquarters in Capernaum.

It is time to honour the men and women who serve us in ministry every day. To think and speak well of them, everywhere, and all the time. To do any less would be to reproduce what was done in Nazareth.

When it is all said and done, each of us, as ministers, wants to be celebrated not tolerated.

At Mission O, Ministers Matter!

Win a full reward.

The apostle John says these words, "Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward."

I don't know about you, but after serving all these years in ministry, enduring all the stuff, the late hours, the sacrifices, the endless meetings, services, planning, re-planning, hiring and firing etc., I do not want to lose my reward at this stage of the journey.

Too much has been invested by me, my wife, my kids, the team and the congregation to act dishonourably now. I have too many trophies of God's grace and mercy to forfeit victory for something dishonourable.

But it is usually at this point in a minister's career where he/she can be most vulnerable. The devil knows how to hit and make a big impression. Just look at the high profile ministers, at the top of their careers, that he has taken out and made society scorn us yet again.

If we are going to win then we must understand that ministry is a team investment. We do not minister alone and if we are doing ministry alone then we are foolish.

Do you have a partner, a peer, a friend who will walk alongside of you in ministry? If not, join us at our next Mission O Breakfast on January 24th and get to know your fellow ministers from the Capital Region. Check out the notice on the side bar of my blog for info and directions.

At Mission O, Ministers Matter!

"Watch yourselves."

The apostle John says these words, "Watch yourselves, so you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward."

Honour is something worth fighting for as a minister. We are not held in high regard by many in our communities anymore, mostly because of the dishonourable things done by those calling themselves ministers.

The principles of honour, invested in us by our families, from God's Word, must arise from within us in the trying circumstances of ministerial life. The apostle John said, "Watch yourselves." He is speaking to an entire church community not just one person.

Some questions I need to ask myself. Am I a minister of honour? Am I taking the time to look at my life and be honest with what I see? Am I taking the experiences of my life and those of the community I serve, and investing honourably in others? What am I really doing with the deposit of the gospel in my life?

I think a better way is to ask a peer what he/she sees in our life? We might be surprised.

Looking to ourselves enables us to keep the perspective where it belongs. Are we the change we want to see in the church? If we look to ourselves first, it is easy to avoid being critical and accusatory of those around us.

Have you ever been honoured for being honourable?

At Mission O, Ministers Matter!

Whatever happened to honour?

Every time Joyce and I go to an inspirational movie, we are moved to tears when the plot highlights the theme of honour. Often, the main character, in the midst of staggering challenges, chooses not to lash out, back off or quit. He/she digs deep inside themselves, where values have been planted and takes a handful of whatever is needed, at the moment, to overcome and to do it with honour.

Our chests swell with pride in the actions of a character we live vicariously through, if only for a few hours. I have often wondered why just in films? Why not in daily life?

I see honour characterized by acts of courage, sacrifice, but most of all selflessness. No wonder honour is missing in Western society when we are so focused on ourselves rather than others.

When we read our bibles, we are confronted with hundreds of men and women who lived honourable lives and did honourable deeds in the midst of the most trying of circumstances. We are inspired by them and desire to reproduce honour in all we do.

As Christians, we must understand that honour begins in our homes. It is what our parents deposit in us. They teach us to honour God in all we do. 1 Samuel 2:30 says, Far be it from me, for those who honour me I will honour, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

I'€™ve lived for 61 years and pastored for more than half of them. As I look back over my time in ministry, I can think of many folks I've pastored who have lived honourably. They have a crown of honour on their lives, that when they speak, I listen.

I gladly give them the right to speak to my heart, and they do it with wisdom and what they say always resonates with me. I still hear their words in my mind to this day.

Can you remember words spoken into your life by an honourable man or woman that you can still hear today? Would you be willing to share one example with us?

At Mission O, Ministers Matter!