The Equipping Station

The following are the key notes and principles that we use in The GFM Ministry in the training and equipping of people for further Christian Ministry. May they bless and inspire you to greater things in God.

These are the basic notes for training our people.

“The Gospel Faith Messenger” Ministry . . .

The "EQUIPPING STATION"
(Timothy's Group)

• For the Training and Releasing of people into their giftings and ministries.
• For the Releasing of people into Leadership fulfilment through a method of "Timothy’s and Relationship Building." Talking about and facing the "Nitty-Gritty" issues of What it Means to be a Leader.  It is built around our vision statement, that of "Equipping for Leadership in the Nations Through the Power of The Holy Spirit."
• Why are you here?  That is a good question: "WHY ARE YOU HERE?"

The purpose of Leadership Training is to release the Church ~ and individual’s in it ~to function effectively! To see God’s people come in to their full potential in Him! All of them, into all of it! Not just a selected few!

"It was He (Jesus) Who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him Who is the Head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:11-16, NIV).

The Scripture is quite clear as to the reason why the five-fold ministry giftings of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers need to be recognized and functioning in the Church today. They hold the "keys" to "preparing God’s people for works of service.” The apostle and prophet ministries hold the "key of knowledge” (Luke 11:49-52). Without them the Christians "suffer" through ignorance! Hosea 4:6 tells us, "God’s people are destroyed through lack of knowledge!” The word "destroyed" here means "to be silent; to cause to cease; to destroy; to cut off; laying waste, that which is laid waste" (Wilson’s). Ignorance is a killer!

Pastors and teachers cannot equip the Church on their own. We need the over-all balance of apostles, prophets and evangelists too. Until the Christian Church recognizes this we will fail to achieve God’s purpose for us! The five-fold ministries get:

• Every "supporting ligament” supporting! "Every joint” supplying! In other words, they impart into, and release us to function!

 The Amplified Bible puts it this way:

"His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the Church), [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the full and accurate knowledge of the Son of God; that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood – the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection – the completeness  found in Him . . . For because of Him the whole body (the Church in all its various parts closely) joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its needs] is working properly (in all its functions), grows to full maturity, building itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:12-16).

That is the fruit of the five-fold ministries. The Church desperately needs to really mature into "the accurate knowledge of the Son of God.” What a challenge!

• Do you need this kind of challenge?
• How desperate are you for results?
• How desperate are you to be used by God?
• How desperate are you for the anointing of God to flow in your life

ARCHIPPUS

Let’s learn from the life of Archippus. His name is recorded only twice in the whole Bible, yet we see some important things for us to learn from him. The two verses are:

 "And say to Archippus (meaning: "horse chief"; "chief groom" or "master of the horse"), Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfil it” (Colossians 4:17, KJV).

"And to our beloved Apphia and Archippus, our fellowsoldier, and to the church in your house” (Philemon 2, KJV).

The word "fellowsoldier" means: "one serving as a soldier of Jesus; one who works in conjunction with another, or together with another." Archippus was told he had received a ministry "in the Lord.” His responsibility was to fulfil it! There is a huge difference or gap between "the receiving” of a ministry and "the fulfilling” of it! That gap is the equipping process. Many talk of "their ministry," but few go on to effectively "fulfil that ministry" they talk about.

If we take the meaning of the name "Archippus," we see it has to do with the grooming and preparation of horses. In the natural that is a very important and responsible position. The chief groom has to know how to handle the horses in his care. He has to work to a timetable of having the horses at their very best for and on the day of a show, a sale, or a race. If the horse is for sale, and it is not in the best possible condition, the price will be lower. The groom’s job can be "on the line." It involves discipline, timing, working in all kinds of weather, training the horses, getting and keeping them fit. The groom has to know what he is doing. He carries large responsibility and is accountable to the horses owner or owners.

In Philemon 2 we see that Archippus was "a fellow soldier.” He could march (in step), strategize, fight, protect and work with others. He was not only good on his own, he was also good at being a team person. He carried spiritual responsibility of a house church.

He was a Leader!

Will you be an "Archippus" for Jesus and fulfil your ministry, which you have received in the Lord?

THE AIM OF THIS TRAINING COURSE

I like to refer to these "Equipping Station" notes as my guidelines for the training of my "Timothy’s." The name "Timothy" comes from the mentoring relationship that existed between the Apostle Paul and his spiritual "son in the faith", Timothy. Paul took personal interest in Timothy, training, encouraging, inputting and imparting prophetically into his life (the prophetic input is very important in Leadership Training). He equipped him! Then the day came when Timothy was released in his own right into his own ministry. He actually rose to be ordained the first Bishop of the Church of the Ephesians. Paul trained him well. When Paul was commissioning Timothy into the ministry he gave him this advice: “This charge (“command”) I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience . . .” (1 Timothy 1:18-19; see also 1 Timothy 4:14-16, NKJV). The Prophetic Ministry through prophecies gave him three vital keys to him fulfilling His calling in Jesus Christ. We need those keys, too, that come through others prophesying into our lives by the Holy Spirit.

Abraham trained his own servants – 318 of them! (Genesis 14:13-16).

We place a high priority on developing the prophetic in our lives. A prophetic person (in simple terms) is one who is cultivating the voice of God in their lives and seeking to live by that which he/she hears from God. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (John 14:15-17; John 15:26; John 16:7-15), therefore when we are hearing from Him we can have the joy of getting it right! It is recognizing the way God speaks to us that releases so much of the Holy Spirit ministry and gifts out of our lives. Spiritual Gifts are our “weaponry” to enable us to effectively accomplish the purposes of God! People around the world are desperately in need of a supernatural touch from God in their lives. The Holy Spirit actively working in and through us enables us to meet those needs in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!

This is what Equipping for Prophetic Leadership is about ~

• To help you discover and know your giftings and calling in God.
• To help you to develop your calling in God.
• To help each other to achieve this.
• To share with others your hopes, dreams, visions . . . that which God has birthed within you . . . and then work to clarify, sharpen and build them into reality. 
• What is your dream? What "lights you up”? (Speaking it out helps to clarify and settle it in your own heart.)
• To help you know the importance of Who God is in YOU . . . and who YOU are in God! As you develop the God-factor, your confidence will grow to do new and greater things to His Glory.
• Are you "positive" or "negative" about who you are in God?  What makes you "positive”? What makes you "negative”? What encourages you in God? What discourages you in God?
• To evaluate each other's giftings, strengths and weaknesses. Do you know what your giftings are? Do you know what your strengths are? Do you know what your weaknesses are?
• Developing the exercising of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit is a major plus in our lives and ministries.  What gifts of the Holy Spirit do you desire the most?  How can you become more active and specific in the exercising of them?
• To honestly look at those things that stop people from enjoying a life of fruitful, enjoyable and lasting ministry . . . i.e. criticism, poor communication skills, being too sensitive in a negative way, stubbornness, pride, morals, mood swings, unforgiveness, bitterness, non-recognition of your call and giftings, etc.  What areas of your life do you struggle to talk about? How do you handle criticism (for it will surely come)?
• To ask questions and to seek to find the answers to those questions. (This will involve thought-provoking discussion times).

THE TRAINING ENVIRONMENT

My philosophy in life has been: "Every day in God is a preparation for a better tomorrow!”

Don’t forget: "There’s always somebody waiting on the other side of your obedience!” Ministry is all about "learning obedience” (Hebrews 5:7-9).

(That is where you are at right now! The purpose of this "Equipping Station" is the moulding of your character into that of an unashamed man or woman of God!)

ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

• How well do you relate to God? This is a very important question. Often our relationship with our Heavenly Father is affected by the relationship we have had with our natural father! Is there anything that you are "holding against" God because of past hurts and disappointments? Is JESUS "Number One" in your life? Are you filled with the Holy Spirit?  Do you love the ministry and moving of the Holy Spirit?
• Do you have a devotional life? How regular is it? For how long?  What does it entail? Do you have a system, or a set pattern?
• Do you love the Word of God?  How well do you know it? What are you doing to improve your Bible knowledge? (How well is it working?) How disciplined are you in Bible study/reading?
• Do you love to listen to God? To be "still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10)?
• Do you love to pray? How well do you communicate with God?
• Do you love people?  This is another vital area if we are to succeed and fulfil our calling in God!  Do people irritate you? What kind of people irritate you?  Why do you struggle with certain personalities?  Can you build genuine, loving relationships?  How can you improve your people relationships? What does it really take to love people? Do you allow people to get close to you? Or, Do you cut-off relationships easily?  How well do you relate to other cultures, creeds and colours? Recommended Reading: “You Can Measure Your Love For God” book by Rodney W. Francis.
• Do you love to fellowship? Are you a good mixer amongst people?  Or, are you a "loner,” one who tends to isolate?
• How well do you relate to others?  Are you possessive and/or controlling in a friendship? Are you jealous of your friend(s) having other friends besides you?  How can you improve in this area? What skills do you need to learn? Can you make conversation with someone new?
• How willing are you to serve, and to be a servant? This is another key area. Many want to be "front-line” ministries in the public view, but what about the "behind the scenes” ministry of serving, washing dishes, tidying up after others, etc.? 
• Can you be relied upon work-wise?  To give value for money? Not taking "short-cuts”? Are you a good Christian witness? Do you finish what you start? 
• What is your personal vision for your life?  What can you accomplish that will really satisfy you? If you had a free choice for your life, what would it be? Do you "dream dreams” and action them . . . or do you wait for someone else to ask before you do anything for God?

Quote: “A vision that is real produces a faith that works.”

Question: “Are you reading the recipe, or producing the cake?”  (See Rodney’s booklet, “Capture Your Vision”). Can you write your vision out in one sentence, so others can understand it?

Do you carry a “missions” heart?

• Do you earn the trust of others? How well can your word be relied upon?  Are you honest? Really honest? Do you keep your promises?
• How well do you handle criticism? First of all, ask yourself, “Is the criticism justified?” Do you say something, or "bottle it up” on the inside? How do you evaluate criticism when it comes to you? Know this, that all those in Christian ministry will, at some time or other, be criticized for what they say and/or do. Are you a critical person? How do you re-act when your wife or husband (or other loved one) is criticized?
• Can you handle finances reliably? Are you a regular financial giver to the local church you attend? Why?  Do you know how to save money? Are you in debt? (If you are, you need to get out of debt as soon as possible).  Are you a "giver” more than a "getter”?  Do you "suffer” with a poverty mentality? Do you trust your wife/husband with the finances? Why? Do you expect others to pay for your ministry?

Quote: “If God can get money out of our heart, He can put it in our pocket.”

• How well do you relate to the opposite sex? Are your motives pure? Do you know the “safety zones” when relating to the opposite sex?

“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22, KJV).

• How well do you relate to the same sex? Think seriously about this.
• If you’re single, do you struggle with your singleness? (If Yes, Why?)
• Do you battle with the temptations of pornography and/or questionable immoral videos and movies? (If Yes, What are you going to do about it?)
• Do you struggle in the area of homosexuality or lesbianism?   (If Yes, What are you going to do about it?)
• Have you been abused (mentally, physically, verbally, sexually or emotionally) that has left deep scars in your life? (If Yes, Have you been able to deal with the abuse, or do you need to talk to someone?)
• Are you a good husband, wife, father or mother?What is your home life like?Are you a hospitable person? Do you love to show that hospitality by inviting others into your home for a cup of tea or coffee, or even a meal?
• Do you have a teachable spirit? (Or, are you a "know-it-all"?)(Ask someone close to you!) What are you learning that is new to you? Are you receiving inspiration and revelation from the Holy Spirit?
• Do you have a problem with pride? The three big danger areas of ministry are "the gold (money), the girls (sex) and the glory (pride)"!
• Do you struggle with insecurity? Think seriously about this. Many in ministry are insecure in who they are, and this robs so many of fulfilling their full destiny!
• Do you struggle with inferiority? Do you know you are an equal with everybody else? Or, Do you always see others as more qualified than you?
• Do you struggle with self-consciousness? This can really get in the way when it comes to obeying the voice of the Lord.
• Are there any fears that dictate your life? Do you know what they are? Face them! They will only rob you of fulfilling your calling in God. How can they be dealt with? God’s answer is LOVE – Loving God and loving people (1 John 4).
• Are you motivated easily?  How disciplined are you at keeping time appointments? (Are you regularly “on time,” or guilty of habitually arriving late?) Are you a "self-starter” (that is, you do not need others to get you going), or do you have to be "kick-started” (that is, you always need someone else to get you to do things)?
• Are you a positive - or a negative - believing person about yourself? Do you like yourself? (Think hard about this; it is important!).  Do you battle with "mood swings”? What about depression? (Is this a "problem" in your life?)  Are you easily bored?  Do you struggle with loneliness?  What specific things or areas of your life do you need to consciously work on?
• What is your attitude toward The GFM’s, and/or your church's vision?  (If you don't know it, ASK - the right person or persons of course!) (See Rodney’s booklet “Do You Know And Understand The Prophetic Foundation Of Your Life And Your Church?”).
• Do you love being in Christian fellowship meetings?
• What is your relationship with the "Equipping Station" and/or Church Leadership? (Be honest and face the issue!)
• How can you improve your relationship with those “over you in the Lord" (Hebrews 13:17)? The fact/reality is, they have the power to hold you back, or to release you!

These questions are extremely important. If you ignore them - and you have "problems" in these areas - then they will "find you out" further down the track of life. It is better to face them now in "the training time" than to have to face them when you are more known in public ministry. And we all know something about the humiliation and disgrace that "fallen ministries" encounter.

If you’re not sure about some of the questions, why not ask a trusted friend to help give you an honest appraisal . . . or even open your heart to others in a “safe environment” group setting (making sure all are desirous to fulfil their ministries in God).

(Likewise, if there are any questions that have not been asked here, and you feel they need to be, why not let us know about them. Thank you.)

ARE YOU AN INDIVIDUALIST, OR A TEAM PERSON?

Let’s be committed to making each other more successful!

• Let us help one another to develop our giftings/ministry in the framework of team ministry. Even the Lone Ranger needed Tonto!
• Let us learn more of the importance of team ministry . . . releasing ministry away from "self" and learning to delegate.
• Let us learn how to make others successful.
• Let us learn to effectively run with someone else's vision. If we’re committed to making someone else successful, God will raise up others to make us successful in our calling!
• Let us realize that God uses other people to release us into our own sure calling in God.

WE NEED TO BE PRACTICAL IN THIS “EQUIPPING STATION”

• We need to be able to seek out opportunities for practical learning experiences and see them inter-woven into this equipping process.   (Things such as: Public speaking, Counselling, Praying in public, Releasing the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Organizing meetings, Running  with a Vision, Meeting strangers, etc.).
• If and when possible, we would love to take teams out on local, national and overseas missions from time to time. 

These times give such valuable "hands on" experience and often help to confirm, or redirect us to focus on other areas of ministry as a result. Many finish up in overseas (and in national full-time ministry) after the experience of a short-term overseas mission.

The questions and challenges presented in this paper need to have whatever time necessary devoted to them in order to seriously work through them. (For some, these issues may never have been spoken out publicly before?)

In Prophetic Ministry the emphasis must always be “hearing and seeing” Jesus at work through the operation of prophecy and the Spiritual Gifts. The Holy Spirit – and true exercising of the Spiritual Gifts – will always be confirmed by the principles of Scripture; and will always glorify Jesus Christ rather than the one exercising those gifts.

When giving prophetic words to others, it is important that they are recorded so the person receiving them can take them away with them and listen to them further. Having the words recorded is also a means of accountability. It enables the receiver to allow other trusted people to listen or read what has been prophesied so they can give an appraisal as to the accuracy, etc. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1).

Another reason for having the prophetic words recorded is because people cannot fully remember every word spoken or prophesied, and need to be able to listen again at home and reflect on what has been prophesied.

“Do not quench the Spirit (or, “do not put out the Spirit’s fire”). Do not despise (“make contemptible”) prophecies. Test (“examine, prove”) all things; hold fast (“firmly”) what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21).

“I beseech (“urge”) you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed (“fashioned in the same way”) to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

God bless you as you seek to develop the Prophetic Ministry in your life and so know the way of God more clearly. And may you see much good fruit coming forth as a result of teaching these Biblical principles.

WHO IS THE LEADER? 

Rodney Francis, the Founder/Director of "The Gospel Faith Messenger” Ministry, trains his "Timothy‘s” from the principles of these notes. He is ably assisted by several leaders and others who carry the vision of "The GFM” Ministry.

"The Gospel Faith Messenger" Ministry. New Zealand.  Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.