MINISTERS MATTER

THE PROMISE GATHERING - Ottawa

I had the honour of representing Mission O at the Promise Gathering of the Watchmen here in Ottawa by formally recognizing and welcoming 4000 Christians from the nations of the earth to our city.

Mission O serves the pastoral community of the city and it was a delight for me to represent them. Here is what I shared.

I would like to welcome all of you from every part of Canada and those who have travelled from the nations of the world, to this Promise Gathering.

You are in our nation’s capital - the seat of government for all Canadians and the city given primary status amongst the cities of the nation.

Ottawa has 120 foreign missions, embassies and consulates here and many of you are citizens of these great nations. Welcome to our home.

As Jerusalem is the capital Israel, it is recognized by Jews in Israel and amongst the diaspora.

For us as Christians, it is also the natural and spiritual timepiece of what God is doing in the world today. Jerusalem is His eternal capital city.

Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is our focal point of gathering this week as we establish together, the emergence of a spiritual government that will nurture, protect and proclaim our prophetic destiny as a nation.

I have had the honour of walking this journey over the last 10 years as well and  God has given me the privilege of taking what He is doing in Canada to the nations of the earth.

In a few weeks Joyce and I leave for Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy, Luxembourg and Brussels on our way to do a pastor’s conference in Malaysia.

What God has done in our great nation, and He is no respecter of nations, is a first-fruit of what He wants to accomplish in all 194 nations of the world.

Here in the capital, inscribed on the Peace Tower of our Parliament buildings are these words from Psalm 72:8.

“He shall have dominion from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth.”

This describes both our national mandate ( sea to sea) as well as our international one ( to the ends of the earth).

For many of you, like me, it has been 10 years since an altar of repentance was established in Winnipeg, Manitoba with stones from every part of this great nation.

Some of you carried stones to that historic gathering on trains, planes and automobiles. Now they are here with us in Ottawa as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and intention that Canada is arising daily to the fullness of her divine calling.

In Winnipeg, God gave us a double rainbow in the sky over the city after the stones were placed one on top of the other and prayer was offered.

It was a visible sign of His approval on what we had done and what we were about to do in establishing His purposes for generations to come.

Over the last 10 years we have journeyed together and humbled ourselves before God and one another.

We have witnessed Him take the walls that separated us and make them into bridges of reconciliation.

We have also been challenged to not grow weary and to continue to press for the sake of those who will follow us in the years to come.

Milestones are important to every family but especially the family of God. From the youngest child to the oldest adult in this journey we have many moments now to reflect upon and see the faithfulness of God.

One overriding milestone in scripture is the Cross of Jesus Christ. It constantly reminds us that He would rather die than live without us.

For those who have travailed, journeyed, sacrificed and obeyed His call, it is clear that you too would rather die than see Canada miss her calling or Canadians miss their opportunity for redemption.

Tonight I represent Mission Ottawa/Outaouais and the 450 congregations, from all denominations - that serve our city in the Name of Jesus Christ.

As we meet once a month at the NHoP, we choose to position ourselves as leaders in an atmosphere of prayer that has a national heart-cry.

As we worship and pray together, we are surrounded by portraits of all our Prime Ministers, reminding us that our nation is our responsibility.

We are constantly reminded from His Word how global His heart is.

Psalm 2:8 says it this way, “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.”

The time has come to ask for your nation.

Thank you all for coming to Ottawa.

Thank you for positioning your life to make a divine difference in the spiritual climate of this nation and the nations you represent.

Let us enjoy this week together by entering into transformational prayer that says Lord prepare me for what you are about to do...

May we also take the time to build authentic relationships as partners in His purposes for us as The Body of Messiah...

And last but not least, may we go from here fixed on living life out of His intentional mission of being Lord of all!

It is an honour for us to have you in our capital city.

Thank you David and the entire Watchmen Team for serving this nation so faithfully. You are an inspiration and a model of a new breed of spiritual warriors.

May God bless you.

May God bless the nation you represent

May God bless Canada.

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!