ConvergeUSA Blog

Spiritual Warfare: Lies, Half Truths & Unreliable Perspectives by Gary Rohrmayer

This week we continue to answer the following question: How does God’s enemy come after His people and His leaders for the sole purpose of distracting, disrupting and derailing them from being involved in God's great mission?

As we survey Pauline literature we will discover fourteen tactical strategies that the enemy will use to come after God's people along with specific antidotes in addressing that problem.  See the introduction to this series to receive an overview of this subject.

8. Lies, Half Truths & Unreliable Perspectives

Text: Ephesians 6:10-20 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Problem: "Satan uses lies or half-truths to trick believers and give unreliable perspectives on their lives and situations."  (J. Robert Clinton)

• Satan uses lack of righteousness (on-going unrighteous things in a believer’s life) as an inroad into their life.
• Satan uses lack of presentation of testimony in a believer’s life to weaken that believer’s stand.
• Satan causes a believer to doubt God (character, dealings, truth, etc).
• Satan robs believers from the impact of salvation in their lives.
• Satan keeps believers from using the Word of God in their lives and in combating his tactics.
• Satan keeps believers from praying in the Spirit as they confront him in his tactics.
• Satan keeps people from being alert to his tactics and from discerning his involvement.

Antidotes: See the imperatives in Ephesians 6:10-20. (J. Robert Clinton)

• Be strong in the Lord - vs 10
• Put on the full armor of God - vs 11, 13
• Stand firm - vs 14
• Take up the shield of faith - vs 17
• Be alert - vs 18
• Keep on praying - vs 18

Reflective Questions:

• If Satan were to attack your life what area would he go after?
• If Satan were to attack your church what segment of the church would try to penetrate?
• What half-truths has Satan used to attack your church?
• What lies has Satan uses to attack your church?
• What false or unreliable perspectives has Satan used to attack your church? 
• What unconfessed sin exists both individually and corporately in your church?
• How are you educating your church and church leadership on the tactics of our enemy?
• How is the gospel playing a transformative affect on the lives of new and old believers? (Titus 2:11-14)

Prayer: Father in heaven, help us to be lovers of the truth, to live in the strength of the Lord and to actively put on the armour of God.  Father, teach us how to stand firm by daily applying the truth of God into our lives, by embracing the righteousness of God in our hearts and by being ready to engage in spiritual conversations at a moments notice. Righteous Father, teach us how to take up the shield of faith so that we can be ready defend the attacks of the enemy. Holy Father, teach how to use Your Word as a sword to defeat personal assaults of the devil. Loving Father, just as you have stood with the saints of the past, we know that you are standing with us and for that we give thanks, in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Next Post: Closed Doors

To view the entire series of posts on Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Warfare: Are You Ready For 2010? by Gary Rohrmayer

As we move into this new year and launch another major expansion effort throughout the USA with our Ignite a Church Campaign 2010-2015, along with me moving into my new post March 1, 2010 as the District Executive Minister of Converge MidAmerica,  it is always good to remember that with new things comes new attacks and counter-attacks from God's enemy.

Argentinean leader Ed Silvoso said, “The Church in the West today presents too easy a target for Satan. We do not believe we are at war. We do not know where the battleground is located, and, in spite of our weapons, they are neither loaded nor aimed at the right target. We are unaware of how vulnerable we are. We are better fitted for a parade that for an amphibious landing.”

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth, “…in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (II Corinthians 2:11). Paul, as a spiritual leader, acknowledges to this troubled church that he knows the plans, thoughts and cunning of the evil one. In the context of this verse he reveals that one of the tactics of the enemy is an unforgiving spirit which provides an entry point for the enemy's influence in the church's life. I also would suggest that in this statement he is presuming that we can know them (the enemy’s tactics) and not be outwitted by them for they are well documented throughout the pages of Scripture.  Scripture reveals to us the reasons for Satan’s fall (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19); the tactics he used in his temptation of Adam & Eve (Genesis 3:1-10) and his devices to tempted our Savior (Matthew 4).  We see throughout the pages of Scripture Satan’s defeat (Hebrews 2:12-14) and his ultimate demise (Revelation 20:10). Serious spiritual leaders should be fully aware of these counter-attacks on His leaders and His church. Ignorance of the enemy's tactics is one of the downfalls that many leaders face and ultimately leads to ones disengagement in God’s redemptive work in the world.

In Robert Clinton’s Commentary on 1 & 2 Corinthians: Problematic Apostolic Leadership, he writes several excellent articles on spiritual warfare.   In one article entitled, “Spiritual Warfare—Satan’s Tactics” he offers a simple listing of times when Paul refers to Satan or the Devil and or demonic work. I have found these references very instructive and illuminating and they serve as the foundation of 14 devotional thoughts I am writing for spiritual leaders to increase our awareness of spiritual warfare.  Clinton states that, “There are over 89 passages in scripture that deal with or mention the Devil or Satan, along with others that discuss demonic influence.”  Over the next couple of months our focus will be on the 14 Pauline passages, but they all must be taken in context of the whole of Scripture.

Here are the 14 passages we will be examining:

1. Romans 16:17-20
2. I Corinthians 5:5; I Corinthians 6:12-20
3. I Corinthians 7:3-5 
4. II Corinthians 2:7-11
5. II Corinthians 11:14-15
6. II Corinthians 12:7
7. Ephesians 4:25-27
8. Ephesians 6:10-20
9. I Thessalonians 2:17-19
10. II Thessalonians 2:9-12
11. I Timothy 1:18-20
12. I Timothy 3:6
13. I Timothy 4:1-4
14. II Timothy 2:24-26

My prayer is that we as a missional leaders will start off the New Year building up our spiritual muscles; refocusing our spiritual dependence and receiving God's spiritual discernment.  Missional advancement always engages missional resistance (Matthew 16:18-19).

Networking Basics - Gary Rohrmayer

After doing a Google search on the word "networking" I realized that there is definitely a generational disconnect.  I see networking primarily as a highly relational activity, face to face meetings, personal contact, meaningful engagements...but I think the younger generation sees networking primarily from a technological perspective with a relational component...thus the phenomenon of social networking.  Now, I am not opposed to technology, for the last two years I have aggressively entered the world of "texting," "blogging", "tweeting" and "face booking".

Here is my concern; it is a rule of life that I have seen worked out in many ways...good things can become bad when there is an over-dependence on them.  Social networking is a supplement for our relationships; it should add value to our relationships, not be the replacement of our personal engagement.

The mission that God has given us is a highly relational mission.  Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" John 20:21.  Jesus came into this world, lived in obscurity for 30 years and then spent three years relationally investing in twelve men, whose charge was to do the same thing by relationally investing in others. This strategy has worked for 2000 years each of us has been touched by someone reaching out to and investing in us relationally, thus advancing the gospel and the mission of God.

Missional leaders understand the power of connecting relationally in their community through personal networking. Ray Bakke offers this recommendation, “Pastors who network their communities, especially in the first year of a pastorate, may end up knowing that community better than any other person.  This upfront investment of time should pay rich dividends and provide the opportunity to help people…” (The Expanded Mission of City Center Churches, p 53-4)

Here are ten insights to help you as you enter the world of relational networking:

1. Trust in God’s provision. Live with a humble dependence on God.
2. Take the posture of a servant. Be known as a servant leader.
3. Be an effective listener. Talk less and listen more.
4. Be an initiator. Get out and meet people weekly.
5. Make a memorable first impression. Dress appropriately for the setting.
6. Take every referral seriously. 
7. Try something new.  Join something in your community.
8. Develop partnerships.  Build alliances with service groups
9. Keep accurate records.  Know the people you meet.
10. Always follow up.  Email or write a note after every meeting.   (HT)

Excerpt from FirstSteps for Planting a Missional Church

Check out Gary's Blog

Free Church Planting Webinar: Networking and Gathering Principles

In a desire to get critical training materials into the hands of church planters earlier in the process, I have taken up the challenge of providing a one hour, free, webinar each month that will bring some of the key principles found in the FirstSteps to Planting a Missional Church manual.

We will go through the Six Stages of a Missional Church Plant.

• FirstSteps Overview - Recording Available
• Stage One - Relating with God and Your Supporters - Recording Available
• Stage Two - Networking and Gathering - November 11th @ 2pm CT
• Stage Three - Building a Launch Team
• Stage Four - Designing Your Public Worship Services and Initial Ministries
• Stage Five - Launching Your Public Worship Services
• Stage Six - Establishing the New Community

To keep informed on upcoming webinars 

In a desire to get critical training materials into the hands of church planters earlier in the process, I have taken up the challenge of providing a one hour, free, webinar each month that will bring some of the key principles found in the FirstSteps to Planting a Missional Church manual.

We will go through the Six Stages of a Missional Church Plant.

• FirstSteps Overview - Recording Available
• Stage One - Relating with God and Your Supporters - Recording Available
• Stage Two - Networking and Gathering - November 11th @ 2pm CT
• Stage Three - Building a Launch Team
• Stage Four - Designing Your Public Worship Services and Initial Ministries
• Stage Five - Launching Your Public Worship Services
• Stage Six - Establishing the New Community

To keep informed on upcoming webinars 

New Churches Can Make a Difference in Denominations - Ed Stetzer

Ed Stetzer wrote great post after speaking at the Converge MidAmerica Bi-ennial Gathering Indianapolis host by Heartland Church

Yes, there are a lot of different kinds of Baptists. Not really 32,235, but a bunch.

So, using my week as a guide, I have been talking about three groups. First, I spoke to two Southern Baptist state conventions. Second, I "almost" spoke to a fine group of Independent Baptists. And, finally, I just returned from a meeting the Baptist General Conference (BGC) in Indianapolis.

The folks in Indianapolis had such an amazing screen for data presentation, I had to share it with you:

Why can't I get that screen whenever I am on the road?

Anyway, as I mentioned, I spoke earlier today in Indianapolis at the biennial meeting of Converge MidAmerica. They asked me to speak three times on three subjects: church planting, church revitalization, and then on reaching the younger unchurched from my new co-authored book, Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and Churches that Reach Them.

So, who are these folks?

Well, first, they are not really the Baptist General Conference. But, it lined up so well: SBC, IFB, BGC. The denomination changed its name recently to Converge Worldwide-- dropping "Baptist," "General," and "Conference" from their official name. Wow. And, this is not the first time they changed their name. The denomination was originally the Swedish Baptists.

Here is some history from Wikipedia:

The Baptist General Conference (BGC) is a national evangelical Baptist body with roots in Pietism in Sweden and inroads among evangelical Scandinavian-Americans, particularly in the American Upper Midwest. From its beginning among Scandinavian immigrants, the BGC has grown to a nationwide association of autonomous churches with at least 17 ethnic groups and missions in 19 nations. The current president of the BGC is Dr. Jerry Sheveland. In 2008 the Baptist General Conference adopted the new movement name of Converge Worldwide.

So, they are no longer the BGC, but many people still make that mistake (like I did, on purpose, just so it would fit with the others!).

But, they have been making other changes, recently reorganizing the denomination, moving the national headquarters to Orlando, and retooling the way their foreign / home boards relate. (I was privileged to work with them on that move to "one mission" as a consultant to their leadership.)

But, what I find uniquely interesting is that Converge Worldwide was originally a regional Swedish denomination that has remade itself though a strong focus on church planting and missions. Here's some more history from Wikipedia:

The Baptist General Conference grew out of the great revival of the 19th century, but its roots can be traced back to Swedish Pietism. In 1852, Gustaf Palmquist emigrated from Sweden to the United States. Forty-seven days after his arrival, he and three others organized a Swedish Baptist church in Rock Island, Illinois. Frederick Nilsson, who was instrumental in leading Palmquist to Baptist views, arrived in America the next year with 21 immigrants. Some of these united with the Rock Island church, while others organized a church at Houston, Minnesota. Nilsson traveled widely, founding and strengthening churches. Anders Wiberg was another pioneer among these churches from 1852 until 1855, when he returned to Sweden as a missionary.

Christian experience was a major emphasis among these Swedish Baptists, and they prospered from the awakenings in the 19th century. Immigration, aggressive evangelism and conversion through revivals brought rapid growth to the denomination. John Alexis Edgren founded the Swedish Baptist Seminary in Chicago, Illinois in 1871.

In 1879, when the Swedish churches had grown to 65 in number, they formed a General Conference. The members of these churches assimilated into American society and gradually lost their separate ethnic identity. By 1940, most churches were English-speaking. In 1945, the Swedish Baptist General Conference dropped "Swedish" from its name and became the Baptist General Conference of America. Swedish Baptists had maintained an alliance with the American Baptist Publication Society, American Baptist home and foreign missions, etc., and later the Northern Baptist Convention. Some Swedish Baptists expected to merge with that body, but the groups moved toward different developments of theological emphasis. The conservative Swedish Baptists pulled back from growing liberalism of the Northern Baptists, and in 1944 formed their own Board of Foreign Missions. This moved them toward independent existence, which they have maintained to the present.

I have written before that I believe that Converge Worldwide is the leading mid-size church planting denomination in America today. Just a few months ago, I was in California training their church planters. Today, it seemed like most of the attendees at the meeting had planted the churches they pastored. They ooze church planting-- and it has changed their denomination for the better.

In denominational life, as in so many areas of life, what you celebrate, you become. Meetings in some denominations are "celebrating" everything BUT church planting. But, by celebrating church planting, the folks at Converge Worldwide have created a momentum that has transformed their movement. (HT)

Vision Casting - Capturing the Heart of God by Gary Rohrmayer

Vision casting in a new church is critical!  Casting a compelling vision with clarity and conviction will help you with fundraising, launch team recruitment, motivating, focusing your team and even evangelism!

Vision casting from a biblical perspective is capturing God’s heart for your community. It involves communicating it is a way that connects with people hearts and moves them towards enthusiastic commitment.  In fundraising you want people to invest generously.  In recruiting your launch team you want people to be sold out to this idea, committing their time, talents and their treasures. In keeping your team motivated and focused you must discover ways to drive the vision deeper into the hearts of your people. Finally, if you are going to seriously see the gospel spread into the hearts of people far from God, you will need to creatively communicate God’s desire for their lives and the part they will play in His great redemptive mission.

I found these five tips online at www.castyourvision.net; they are great tips on creating a compelling vision. 

Tip #1 - Think through your vision very well before you begin to share it. If you can't think through your vision yourself, others won't be able to think through it with you!

Tip #2 - A vision is like an iceberg...there is much more to it than what is seen on the surface. You've got to discipline yourself to share just enough - and yet not too much! Show your viewers the 'tip' of the iceberg- and when they are ready, they'll begin asking you about all the details! Just when you think it is short enough - look at it again and see if you can shave it down some more. If you've really thought through it - you'll be able to communicate it in a concise way.

Tip #3 - Remember - you might be the only person excited about your vision at this point. It's hard to believe, but it is true. As you communicate your vision, focus on those points which are the MOST exciting to you and leave the rest out...for now! People generally have to 'warm up' to a vision, which takes time. Be careful not to bore viewers with the details.

Tip #4 - Gradually release your vision to select viewers. Find 3-5 of your closest friends or mentors and ask them to preview your Vision Site. Give them permission to provide you with constructive criticism. They may identify some areas that need more (or less) information. Their input will be invaluable to you. Sometimes visionaries 'release' their vision prematurely, which can often be detrimental to the vision in the long run. Be patient, and wait for some quality feedback from your closest advisors - they'll be far more forgiving than others!

Tip #5 - A vision is something you see in your mind's eye - it's something you 'see' which doesn't yet exist. The paradox of this is that when you communicate a vision, other's aren't looking through the same lenses you are. You MUST visually present your vision to others to be most effective. You must transfer thoughts from your mind's eye to pictures in your listener's eyes. As you build your Vision Site, spend time looking for images that really depict what you are trying to say. They'll be worth a thousand words!

Here are five reflective questions to consider in creating a vision statement:

• What is the specific vision that God is planting in your heart?
• How is the great commission reflected in your vision statement?
• How compelling is your vision statement to the churched as well as unchurched?
• What does success look like specifically?
• Could you describe what your church would look like ten years from now?

Solomon wrote, "Where there is no vision, the people perish...."  Proverbs 29:18 (HT)

Free Church Planting Webinar - October 28th 2pm Central

FirstSteps Webinar Series - Part 2

Join us for part 2 of the FirstSteps webinar series with Gary Rohrmayer as he provides a deeper look at the first and most critical step of planting a missional church: Relating with God and Others. We will be providing insights on: The spiritual formation of the planter, Intercession team development Raising funds for your church plant.   Wednesday, October 28, 2009 3pm Eastern/12pm Pacific Click here to register for this FREE webinar Learn more about the FirstSteps network Read Gary's blog Did you miss part 1?  You can view it here

Welcome to Our Church - Cool Video

Lee Stephenson a Vision Arizona Church Planter and FirstSteps Graduate.  Just launched Harvest Community Church with 356 attending their Grand Opening!

Is this Missional?

HT

Seven Faith Tribes "Casual or Captive" - Jay Bauman

Senior researcher George Barna (whom I respect but certainly not always agreed with) has just produced some interesting research regarding the 7 Faith Tribes that the majority of Americans belong to.  In it, we see that approximately 66% of Americans fall into the "Casual Christian" faith tribe.   That is 2 of every 3 Americans.   Casual Christians, as opposed to Captive Christians, are defined in the following way:

"Christianity is a low-risk, predictable proposition for this tribe, providing a faith perspective that is not demanding. A Casual Christian can be all the things that they esteem: a nice human being, a family person, religious, an exemplary citizen, a reliable employee – and never have to publicly defend or represent difficult moral or social positions or even lose much sleep over their private choices as long as they mean well and generally do their best. From their perspective, their brand of faith practice is genuine, realistic and practical. To them, Casual Christianity is the best of all worlds; it encourages them to be a better person than if they had been irreligious, yet it is not a faith into which they feel compelled to heavily invest themselves."

Barna goes on to say...  Casual Christians like their brand of faith because of "The comfort that this approach provides. It offers them life insights if they choose to accept them, gives them a community of relationships if they desire such, fulfills their inner need to have some type of connection with a deity, and provides the image of being a decent, faith-friendly person. Because Casuals do not view matters of faith as central to one’s purpose or success in life, this brand of Christianity supplies the multi-faceted levels of satisfaction and assurance that they desire."

I wonder what the Apostle Paul would say about Christianity being a low-risk, predictable proposition?  HT

Jay Bauman is Executive Pastor, CrossPointe Church, Orlando FL