May 2008 Newsletter

Dear brethren we greet you in the name of Jesus, Messiah and Lord. This month we are sending you an important and strategic writing by apostle Don Atkin, USA, the facilitator of an apostolic council that is fathering a global communion of apostles, five-fold ministers and saints. This global communion has been on our lips for some months but really began to emerge at an open apostolic council meeting in Clearwater, Florida, in October 2007. I was privileged to be present at that meeting and the Spirit showed me the potential of this emerging communion of apostles. Already through the brethren represented on that apostolic council, there are related brethren in the apostolic restoration in many nations. This emerging global communion is the manifestation of the body of Christ, non-denominated but truly relational, that is arising in the earth.

I greet you as I depart with a team for seven weeks of ministry in Africa, personally visiting Nigeria, Liberia and Kenya and some of the team spending time in Ghana as well.

Paul Galligan.

THE URGENCY FOR A GLOBAL COMMUNION OF APOSTLES 

By Don Atkin

 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me… that they may be one as We are … As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world … And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one … that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me”  John 17:9, 11, 18, 22, 23.

Restoring the communion of apostles is essential to reforming the church. Many recognize and receive varying levels of apostolic ministry. Full restoration waits for the church to receive those who have been sent, without reservation or limitation.

Apostles must walk together in unity before this kind of trust and fidelity can be expected from the body of Christ. The church will be able to trust apostles who love and submit to one another. The fellowship of the church is to flow from the fellowship of apostles.

“That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 Jn 1:3).

The glorious visible unity of the first apostles confirmed to the world that our Father had sent His Son, and that He loved them as He loved Him. Their testimony regarding the new creation, and heaven’s kingdom on earth, drew multitudes to a pure form of church.  Their example offers us a pattern to emulate as we address unresolved perversions left over from the Dark Ages.

THE APOSTLES AND REFORMATION

Martin Luther is credited with initiating the reformation of the church with the revelation of justification by faith. Not much has happened since then that can be honestly identified as reformation.  In fact, there are so many forms of the church today that much of the world has written us off.  God is not the author of confusion.

The restoration of the apostles must come before the reformation of the church.

Apostles are master builders, architects, with the revelation of God’s blueprint 

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore..” (Matt.28:18). God gave authority to the apostles, and sent them with the blueprint, the pattern. The twelve apostles stood together as one man on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14).  Apostles were on the scene before there were New Testament prophets and teachers.

“And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers” 1 Cor.12:28.

Prophets and teachers are equal in value and importance. But, they are not master builders, and do not have the blueprint.  Some tend to undergird forms and practices that must be dramatically changed in the process of reforming the church after the pattern. Apostles who attempt to fit into the current religious system are compromising their grace as master builders.  Jesus said: ‘No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment.’

Prophets will continue to blow varying and sometimes conflicting and confusing trumpets, and teachers will continue down many rabbit trails, until God’s order is established by the Holy Spirit. Prophets and teachers will find full release of authority, and accuracy of anointing, when they are rightly aligned with apostles who are rightly aligned with one another. Prophets will come alongside apostles as foundational ministries, and teachers will build upon that foundation.

THE APOSTLES AND DOCTRINE

The early church - including prophets and teachers - was faithful to apostolic teaching and authority. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” Acts 2:42.

Today, there are many separating, segregating and denominating doctrines. A host of doctrines of flesh and demons have divided the body of Christ. Cultural matters do legitimately affect doctrine and practice. The council at Jerusalem was necessitated by cultural differences between Jews and Gentiles, and the varying beliefs and practices that resulted.

The communion of apostles led the way in keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. It will be today’s apostles, in fellowship with one another, who will guide the varying persuasions of the church into that unity and peace.

The twelve apostles of the Lamb represented a global communion in the then-known world. Our world is much larger today, and cultures are even more varied. Advanced technology in communication gives us opportunity to respond in faith to the call for global communion.

THE APOSTLES AND THE FIVEFOLD

Communion/fellowship among apostles includes everyone and everything that is meant to flourish within their respective spheres. Prophets are included. Teachers are included. Pastors and evangelists are included. The saints are included in this global communion. 

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift” Eph.4:4-7.

It is the grace of apostleship that will reform the church according to the design of God. This grace is to be exponentially released through our communion with one another.

Finally, we acknowledge that, unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. We can only be prayerful, watchful and responsive, as we see and join Him in what He is doing.  That’s what sons do!

CALENDAR

May:

Wed. 14^th – 30^th Jean Manning, Ian & Joshua Sproule & Siobhan Willaims ministering in the

                           Philippines with Pastor Albert Olegario.

Fri. 30^th – Sun. 1^st June  COMMUNITY WEEKEND at SHILOH:     

                                Fri. 30^th 7pm – Worship/Seeking the Lord night

                                Sat. 31^st - Training Day at SHILOH 10am for cuppa,

                                                 sessions 10.30am – 4pm   

                                The team home from Philippines will be sharing in the sessions.                                                   

                                Sun. 1^st June -   Community Sunday at SHILOH 9.30 for teaching,

                                                  10.30 worship, communion, followed by fellowship lunch.

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Africa Trip: Paul Galligan, Don Pitkin, Nicholas Jackson & Miriam Truss

Nigeria: May 2^nd–5^th Lagos; 6^th–11^th Abuja; 12^th Kaduna; return to Lagos on 13^th

May 14^th departs Nigeria.

                Don & Miriam to Ghana: 14^th-19^th Accra; 20^th-24^th Tema

                Paul & Nick to Liberia: 15^th-23^rd Monrovia.

May 24^th Team join up & fly to Kenya, arrive 25^th

Paul is flying to Kisumu the same day to join Bishop Elkana Salamba & will be ministering with Bishop in Kitale, Eldoret, Nairobi and Mombassa, 26th May to 12th June, in seminars hosted by PAG churches.  

Don & Miriam & Nicholas: in Nairobi area 26^th -27^th May

Don & Miriam: remain in Nairobi from 28^th - 1^st June; travel to Western Kenya 2^nd June        

3^rd – 4^th June at Webuye; 5^th–7^th June at Kitale

Nicholas: 28^th travel to Western to join apostle Peter Akeck for seminars in:

Kisii 29th-30th May; Maseno 31st-1st June; Siaya 2^nd-3^rd June; Sabatia 4^th-5^th June

Ugunja 6^th-7^th June; Kakamega town Sun. 8th June  

Don, Miriam & Nicholas: June 8^th–10^th Kipkaren; June 11^th Eldoret;

June 12^th travel back to Nairobi

June 13^th–15^th Nairobi whole team together;

Team Arrives home on Tuesday 17^th June.

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FIJI: June 24^th – 7^th July Wendy Morris & Angie Sharma

MID YEAR TRAINING SCHOOL SHILOH SCHOOL OF MINISTRY

Monday 30^th June – Saturday 19^th July 2008 [three weeks]

Venue: SHILOH CENTRE, 19 Russell St TOOWOOMBA QLD 4350

For Pastors, Leaders and those called to minister in the body of Christ

International brethren &  brethren in Australia are invited to a further two weeks of training and equipping, Tues.22^nd - Fri.25^th & Tues. 29^th – Thurs.31^st 

TRAINING SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH, ages 4 to 13

Monday 7^th July to Friday 11^th July