World MAP Seminars: Option Or Necessity? By Frank R. Parrish I had the privilege of ministering to church leaders in Nigeria in November of 2008 (see 2008 Nigeria Seminar report). And in February 2009, World MAP hosted two Spiritual Renewal And Equipping Seminars for more than 1,000 church leaders in India. With rising costs and challenging economic times, along with increased tensions in the countries of greatest need where World MAP focuses its efforts, why does World MAP continue to host or participate in seminars for church leaders? First and foremost, God has made clear to us that it is a mandate from Him - He has called us to do our part in equipping and training His undershepherds who serve Him so diligently in some of the most difficult places on earth. He believes in them, and so do we; He has called them, and we are there to encourage and equip them to fulfill all that He purposed for them to do in His name. We trust Him to provide the direction and provision to accomplish this, as well as to protect and preserve us until He has seen fit to call us home. In addition, God does great and mighty things when leaders gather to seek Him and receive from Him. Let us look at some specifics for a moment: 1. Experiencing God's Power We believe in the importance of giving church leaders the opportunity to experience firsthand the power of God at an increased dimension. As they learn that the Holy Spirit is alive and real, and fully available to them, their expectancy and faith to receive are raised. As they receive, they give - and lives are empowered for the Gospel's sake all over the world. The pastors are also personally touched, healed, delivered, renewed and transformed by the power of God. This happens through sound, balanced Bible teaching and giving place for the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit at every gathering. A single encounter with God's anointing and power can change a leader for a lifetime. 2. Trained With The Living Word Much of what is called "training" is just the transmission of information. Though it is imperative that leaders understand critical principles and the doctrines of Scripture, the Bible is not just an encyclopedia of religious information or lifeless sayings. It is the living Word of God (Heb 4:12), and it should be taught that way! At World MAP seminars, we often receive the sincere gratitude of pastors who thank us for teaching the timeless, line-upon-line truths of Scripture, instead of the latest trends or techniques for ministry. Our desire and strategy is to model to pastors the importance of teaching sound, balanced, thorough Bible principles in the same manner and spirit of Jesus' words (John 6:63). This kind of teaching is relevant to every culture, every person, in every place - and is surely accompanied by God's power and blessing. 3. The Power Of Unity Pastoring is not easy, even in the most congenial circumstances. But the church leaders to whom World MAP reaches face hostility, brutal persecution, and the grinding impact of poverty, disease and spiritual darkness. They often serve in remote villages and feel isolated and alone. And they can become discouraged and want to give up. Drawing them together at a World MAP conference helps them discover that they are not alone in the challenges and hardships they face. When they meet, they become connected to their fellow church leaders, realizing they are together a part of God's plan to do a mighty work in their nation. Prayer groups are formed, and mutual support and accountability are established. By gathering in the name of Jesus, and under the power of the Holy Spirit, barriers between leaders are broken down and unity is fostered. The devil's strategies to promote division and jealousy in the Body of Christ are exposed and confronted. Pastors are enabled to truly understand and experience the outpouring of God's Spirit as brethren "dwell together in unity" (Ps 133:1). Forgiveness and reconciliation flows, and common purpose in Christ is established. 4. The Principle of Incarnation When we read the Bible, we see that God gave revelation to men through the Law, the prophets and the written Word. Yet He did not stop there. His final and ultimate revelation of His heart was when "the Word become flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14) in the Person of Jesus. When God's Son took on mortal flesh and came to this world, humanity could finally "see" what God was like. Not His physical appearance, but rather the heart of God. As the apostle John explains in his first epistle: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life [Jesus!] - we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us" (1John 1:1,3 - emphasis added). What John describes here is the incarnational principle - the Word becoming flesh. By coming into the world in the Person of His Son Jesus and living among people, God could be right there with them to: * answer their questions (Matt 22:35-40; Matt 24:3ff; Luke 10:29-37); * encourage and comfort them (Matt 5:11,12; John 14:1-3); * set an example of service (John 13:3-15); * inspire them with missionary zeal (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). World MAP follows this incarnational principle by not just sending the teaching materials (ACTS Magazine and The Shepherd's Staff), but also by going into the developing nations with Spiritual Renewal and Equipping seminars. We teach the church leaders directly and answer their questions, exhorting them to "teach others also" (2Tim 2:2) and to be an example of servant-leadership as fellow sons of God Most High. Our Privilege And Call World MAP Spiritual Renewal seminars are a vital and key part of ministering to, encouraging and equipping this and future generations of church leaders. Whether it is in the continent of Africa, the islands of the Pacific, the underground churches in dozens of nations, or the Amazon jungles - it is our privilege and call to serve the pastors and leaders of Christ's Body. As you pray and partner with the ministry of World MAP, you too become part of God's hand extended to His called and chosen servants around the world. What a joy to partner with you in serving the Lord and His Church in these great days of end-time Harvest! | 
