Be Bold!

When Paul asked people to pray for him he asked them to pray that he would have boldness to preach the gospel (Ephesians 6.19-20).

That word “boldness” doesn’t mean yelling and screaming and sliding around – though there’s nothing wrong with a preacher doing that as long as you don’t mistake *that* for the anointing and the power of God.  The word “boldness” means to be honest and confident in what you are saying.

That’s what our generation needs – preachers who are honest and open about what they are saying.  People who are not just imparting doctrine, but teaching life that not just gives people truth but shows and reveals how those truths are worked out in life.  Not just teaching, but making disciples.

We need apostles who are planting churches openly – not stealing bricks from another man’s building to do so, not sneaking into other churches like wolves among sheep to rip people to pieces to get them in their church.  We need people who are going where they are sent and trusting God for the increase.

We need prophets who are upbuilding local churches, not cursing them.  Anyone can look at a valley of dead bones and go “thus saith the Lord, you are a bunch of dead, dry bones with no life and no spirit”.  But we need the prophets who stand up and say “Live!  Be filled with the Spirit!  Let bone connect with bone, let flesh appear, let life be!”

We need evangelists who are working with local churches not outside them.  We need people who are honest about their gospel, not relying on sales techniques, but the power and life of the Holy Spirit.

We need teachers who are teaching the Word not just to provoke and divide but to bring life and stability to people. Confident enough in their truths that they do not have to speak against other teachers and teachings to get their revelations to people.

And finally we need pastors who are bold.  Honest with their people about their walk.  More concerned about the dreams of others coming true, than using others as slaves to build their pyramids of prestige and power.

Let’s pray for every minister we know – pray for boldness.  Pray for them to be open and honest and real about the power that is in them.  So we may be equipped and furnished and mature.