APOSTOLIC LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE An open letter to those entrusted with leadership in the New Testament Church in 2013 by Dr. Bernie L. Wade After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Praise the Lord! For some time now we have been discussing with key leaders how we might work together to bring Apostolic reformation to America and beyond. When we speak of Apostolic reformation we are not referencing any of a plethora of groups or movements that have used (or use) those words as a wall to keep others at arm’s length. What we are speaking about is the restoration of all those things Apostolic. In other words, those things that were believed and taught by the Apostles of Jesus Christ and practiced by the New Testament Church during its initial 100 years. A time before the loss of the key tenets of doctrine were replaced by the edicts of men. Apostolic Reformation The concept of Apostolic reformation has been the rally cry of a plethora of historic reformation efforts. The most notable of these restorations was aptly named the Apostolic Faith. This movement began as a Bible college and was organized by Charles F. Parham. Parham is credited with being the father of not only the Apostolic Faith movement but also subsequent movements including the Pentecostal movement and the Charismatic movement. It was Parham’s call for the restoration of the Apostle’s doctrine that was the catalyst for all of these movements and reformation efforts. Those who were drawn to these movements primarily came from denominational backgrounds. These often found themselves outcast from their denomination because of the manifestations that were associated with these reformation movements. To counteract the void these adherents organized their own denominations (sometimes referred to as fellowships or ministerial groups). They used the systems that they were most familiar with in organizing these movements. Those who are beneficiaries of these movements have inherited this same denominational model (ministerial organizations, ministries and other organisms) that those who participated in these early movements created. Good, bad or indifferent these organizations have left us with no mechanism or method to bring us together. Rather, they have left us divided by man-made walls of separation. This has left the posterity of these movements segregated into a plethora of factions. The Challenge The problem of bringing those divided together is not a new one. This is the situation that King Arthur found himself when trying to bring the powerful men of his kingdom together. Realizing that they all needed each other he sought a resolution. His solution was the legendary Roundtable. As its name suggests it has no head implying that everyone who sits there has equal status. Borrowing from the idea of King Arthur and his Roundtable, we visualize a method to bring the various ministries and ministerial groups together to work toward our mutual goal of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What we propose is a collaborative effort to develop an Apostolic leadership roundtable. This would be comprised of key leaders in the Apostolic Church (Apostolic used here in reference to those who preach/teach and live the Apostles doctrine) regardless of their affiliation or organization; no titles at the table. We want to unite men and women of God who are hungry for a genuine move of God in our nation and world. These will work together so that we might usher in the greatest move of God that America has ever known. Please note: We are not railing against your doctrine, dogma or creed. Unlike previous efforts of this type; this is not nor will it ever be another ministerial organization. Rather, those who need licensure and the like can consult with one of the organizations participating in this roundtable effort. We have no interest in duplicating or replacing their effort. Vision We have pledged our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor in the valiant fight against Spiritual starvation, poverty of the Word Incarnate, and the chaos of division. For too long now we have been divided by unseen walls that are more formidable than the Great Wall of China. We implore you to join hearts and hands with us in this effort. We ask you to pray for this effort. Your participation in this effort is needed. We do not proffer the polemic platform of debate, nor do we desire to shed innocent blood in controversies, we just want to come together in one common goal and purpose and that is to be the Church of Jesus Christ in the earth, accomplishing His will and His way! WE NEED YOU! I hope something we have written has captured your attention. No one of us has all the answers to the challenges that face America and our World. We need your help. The task of bringing us together is enormous. With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. It will take all of us to accomplish. What we initially envision is bringing together leaders of a plethora of ministries, ministerial organizations and others to form a national Apostolic leadership roundtable. We hope that this humble body will work together to cast vision, eliminate unnecessary duplication and help us all to better reach a lost and dying world. At the same time we expect to organize an effort at the grassroots level to accomplish the vision of bringing Apostolic leaders together in every locale; first in North America and then the uttermost parts of the World. The purpose of this group is to draw on each other’s strengths to creating a collaborative effort that enhancing the work already being made. Our expectation is to create a groundswell using like minded men and women of God fuel by prayer and fasting and encouraged by the mutual fellowship. In the end we expect that together we can make it difficult for people in your locale to go to hell! To God be the Glory! I would love to chat with you more about this. Please contact me now! Feel free to respond via email [email protected], call my office: 502.410.4263 or mail me directly at Bernie L. Wade PO. Box 72, Sulphur, KY 40070. This is simply not a task that can be accomplished without you! Pray about how God would like you to participate in this effort. There are no dues to pay, not fees or licenses, etc. This is simply a collaborative effort to bring us together. Have you ever felt alone or isolated? Have you ever wondered who else God is speaking to and what they are saying? I know I have. We read in the Word of God that Elijah (the great prophet) felt like he was the only one who was hearing from God. Yet, the Lord chides him that there were at least 7000 others who were like-minded! Like you, I am sure there are many who are hearing from God; unfortunately, I don’t know all of them! However, I would love to know them, be encouraged by their labor and love and draw on their experience, expertise, knowledge and friendship to help address the challenges I face in bringing the Gospel to those who are un-churched and in ministering to the Body of Christ in general. What we expect is that this leadership roundtable will help us bring us into dialogue with each other in an unprecedented manner. I look forward to joining with you in this effort! I look forward to meeting you at the Apostolic leadership roundtable.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:28:53 +0000
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