Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” KJV
NKJV “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint…”
The Passion Translation: “When there is no clear prophetic vision, people quickly wander astray…”
I wrote about this in another newsletter some time ago. This month, I want to revisit some points I wasn’t able to cover the last time.
In every person’s life, marriage, ministry, and even business, there are five basic stages of development. Each one carries a specific assignment and must be watched over so we don’t abort God’s plans for our lives.
1.The first stage is Conception.
This is where the idea is developed. Internally, you will be developed in order to carry out the plan God is birthing in your heart. The vision for your life, marriage, ministry, or business becomes defined, and your idea gains clarity during this season.
Just as a baby takes nine months to develop in a mother’s womb, your idea, plan, purpose, ministry, or business must have time to develop before it is birthed fully.
Sometimes, you may need to collaborate with others or seek counsel from trusted mentors before launching out. Most of all, allow the Holy Spirit to show you step by step what He wants to come from this idea.
2.Second comes the birthing stage.
This is also called the launch. It is a thrilling time in the life of any endeavor. But it can also be the most painful. Not everyone can go into a maternity ward with a woman who is giving birth, and not everyone will go with you or start with you when you are launching a new endeavor.
In fact, not everyone who starts with you, stays with you. Don’t be discouraged when the people you thought would initially jump on board with you don’t. Some will stay with you, but they may not stay past the initial opening. God has people He will send to you and walk with you at different stages of your life.
3.Third comes the nurturing stage.
The nurturing stage is the same stage as a baby, when you have to do everything to care for the “baby.” That involves changing diapers, feeding, bathing, and working; the nurturing stage is when you must be financially responsible and move forward slowly, as you are financially able. You will do all the leading, teaching, preaching, and even leading worship. And most of all, you must be patient as growth slowly comes.
4.Then there is the overseeing stage.
This is where many pastors actually begin to smother the ministry and actually kill those under them. The very ones they are called to raise up for the work of God.
I am naturally a workaholic. For years, I hindered others from coming alongside me that God sent to help me because I thought I was supposed to do the work myself. When I pastored, there was so much pressure on me to “do-it-all” and “be-it-all” it almost drove me into a nervous breakdown. God has not only called us to “have church,” but He has also called us to “be the church.” And part of being the church involves training and giving opportunities to others to fine-tune their ministries. This leads me to the last point….
5.Releasing.
A few years ago, God gave me the theme “Reaching, Training, Equipping, Releasing” as the theme for our schools of ministry around the world. So many leaders what to “raise up leaders under them” to only crush their spirits so they will never leave their ministry. Pam and I have two daughters, Megan and Missy. While I would have loved nothing more than for them to stay at my house forever, that wasn’t going to happen. I’ll never forget the day the Spirit spoke to me and said, “It’s not My will for them to stay at Daddy’s house forever.”
I say this to every pastor, apostle, and ministry leader: it’s not the will of God for you to keep your “sons and daughters” at your house forever. They don’t belong to you; they belong to the Father.
And He needs them in the harvest. Now. Release them in Jesus’ name!!
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