Top Ten subscribed by Rev. David Gilpin

January 10, 2008 at 9:57 pm (Top Ten)

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Rev. David Gilpin

Senior Minister of Hope Church, Sheffield 

Behind everything you see is something you don’t see. This book is designed to outline nuggets of wisdom that often remain invisible behind thriving churches and ministries. Mixed with a touch of humour. Top 10 of Everything looks into the Private Word and the Practical World, the Handy Hints World and the Wide World of Knowledge. It gives advice on many subjects that may prove invaluable to established and up-and-coming leaders.

Read it all at once or read it one Top Ten at a time. This book can also provide new preachers with an opportunity to ‘borrow’ some of the Tom 10 outlines to create lively and dynamic sermons. 

Top ten ways to make a prayer meeting a great place to be 

On a Wing and a prayer

 Prayer is often seen as something you’ve got to do but not something to enjoy doing. The ‘legalist’ enforces it every time they speak. If it becomes a chore, it loses its potency. It’s the prayer of faith and the prayer of desire that connects well with the heart of God and sees answers returned. 

  1. CHANGE THE PACKAGING

‘Divine encounters night’, master asker night’, command and conquer night’ are all better names for a meeting than ‘night of prayer’. 

   2.  CHANGE THE WAY YOU START

 Start with a word of inspiration that raises the expectancy – ‘we can make history tonight’. 

   3.  CHANGE THE TIME LIMIT

 It’s always better to create a short prayer meeting that goes over the time  than create a really long prayer meeting that drags on and on. 

   4.  CHANGE THE PACE

 Have times of declaration, times of small groups, times for corporate prayer and times for worship. Like a great movie – pace is essential. 

   5.  CHANGE THE CONFIDENCE LEVEL

 Reinforce the fact that our confidence is in the fact that He hears us. If He hears us, He’ll answer us. 

   6.  CHANGE THE EMPHASIS

 Each prayer meeting will have some different emphasis inspired by the Holy Spirit. 

   7.  CHANGE THE LEADERSHIP

 Use it as an opportunity to exercise the leadership gifts of up-and- coming leaders.It may add to the freshness factor. 

   8.  CHANGE THE FLOW

 Don’t allow it to be led by hose with the loudest voices or most dominant spirits. 

   9.  CHANGE THE MOOD

 If it starts to get melancholic, lift the spirits and re-inspire with praise and worship. Some mistake navel-gazing for waiting in the presence. 

   10.  CHANGE THE LANGUAGE

 Don’t fake hunger. You can’t hunger after God if you’re not hungry. Ask God to increase your hunger for Him. Keep the language authentic. 

Bible Extra: 2 Chronicles 7: 14; Mark 11: 23-24; Ephesians 6: 18; 1John 4: 14-15                              

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Illustrations of Note provided by Rev. E. Anderson

January 10, 2008 at 9:52 pm (Illustrations)

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Rev. E. Anderson

THE STREET LAMP 

We are beautifully situated in our residence here at Rotherham. The Lord has provided us with a nice semi-detached dwelling that faces a large playing field that is frequently used for all kinds of sports and other things. It is also nice to have both a front and back garden with small lawns that make it attractive. The service bus stop is immediate outside our home so it is easy to get to the one across the road in going to town and to be dropped off outside our residence in returning. We could not be better placed. 

It was whilst I was up in the night watches that I became acutely aware of another amenity that was immediately outside on the street. I decided to draw back the blind and rest quietly musing on the Lord with respect to His greatness and goodness. As I did so, the light from the street lamp suspended high outside shone into the room.

What a difference it made and what lessons were pressed home to my spirit! The street lamp had a service and ministry to perform outside to good purpose. Along with the other lights it was able to provide a welcome provision for those travelling on the road either driving or walking.

At least people would be able to see even in the midst of the darkness the road and pathway and so find it easy to negotiate their journey. As it illuminated along with the other street lamps, they looked quite attractive besides rendering an invaluable service.

Quietly, without ado, it gave forth its light and did a magnificent job. When extinguished it is then realized what a good task it performs. But then I was conscious that, for me, it had an inside task to perform in the precincts of my room.

Our home was to be the beneficiary of this choice agency of light, and in this instance; we did not have to foot the bill! The impact of that warm, glowing light in a moment was very inspirational. It cast such a calm radiance over everything and I was so impressed by the vision before my eyes. The whole scene taught something of value to my simple waiting on God. The light offered grandeur to all it alighted on. 

Two points of note arise of significance with regard to this illustration of truth: Christ is known as ‘the Light of Life’ and he shines powerfully but quietly in the world seeking to communicate light on the busy highway and pathway of life. He came into the midst of darkness, in an unassuming manner, to dispel the darkness, gloom and shadows so that all could find their way and destination. He did say, ‘I am the Light of the world, he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life’ – John 8: 12.

One of his vital ministries is to fill each life with light that will cause life to be enriched with understanding and be fulfilling. He comes to fill all our inner rooms with light and shed His aura within. 

Likewise, having lit Christians up, they are to be His divine luminaries. Wherever the Christian goes and to all he meets, there it so be a shedding forth of heavenly light into the life and experience of others. People in the world are in the dark and are trying to discover the real road and pathway. The rooms of their minds and hearts are in a state of darkness but in confrontation with a son and daughter of light, the divine miracle can occur. Suddenly they are switched on and become illuminated by Christ. Paul states: ‘among whom you shine as lights in the world’ – Philippians 2: 14.

The Christian Church has been set as the light to the whole word and to scatter the darkness created by the prince of darkness and sin.              

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