An Update from Steve Strang
Remembering Jamie Buckingham
How the charismatic leader’s impact remains 20 years after his death
For a quarter century Jamie Buckingham was the conscience of the charismatic movement. Through his many books, speaking engagements and his monthly “Last Word” in Charisma for 13 years, he called things as he saw them. Now, two decades after his death, we reflect on the spiritual giant he was and his genius as a writer.
Jamie received the baptism of the Holy Spirit in 1967 at a Full Gospel Businessmen’s convention while researching for his first book, Run, Baby, Run, co-authored with Nicky Cruz. Jamie had been a Southern Baptist, but two devastating moral failures left him wounded, humbled and aware he needed the power of the Holy Spirit in his life. He was always open about his own failures in his sermons, columns and books such as Risky Living, and that transparency drew people to him.
Only Jamie could write about a “sock-eating demon” in his washing machine and make a spiritual point. Or tell how God had to essentially give the Israelites a laxative in the Sinai Desert to “get Egypt out of them.” He loved the Sinai and made several pilgrimages there. In 1979 I climbed Mount Sinai with him (he scaled it six times). It wasn’t only a wonderful experience; Jamie transferred to me his love for Israel, which I have to this day.
No big ministries were beyond having Jamie prick their pompous religious balloons. He was concerned with the extreme fundraising and big egos on Christian TV, which he warned was bound to collapse. And so it did with the PTL scandal of the 1980s, followed by Jimmy Swaggart’s scandal a couple of years later. When the church was reeling from those scandals, Jamie’s voice was a voice of reason—as shown in a powerful cover story he wrote for us after the PTL empire collapsed called “God Is Shaking His Church.”
Jamie entered my life when I was in my late 20s, struggling to make a small church magazine succeed. While others helped, it was Jamie agreeing to write regular columns in Charisma that put us on the map in the early days. But more than that, he became my mentor, friend and in many ways our spiritual “covering” in the way that Jack Hayford is today.
For several years I’d drive 80 miles to Melbourne, Fla., once a month to have lunch with Jamie and spend hours dreaming, strategizing and problem-solving. He’d challenge me to think bigger and to believe God. He posed a question that he probably heard somewhere but that was nonetheless life-changing for me: “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?”
Jamie was excited about ministry and life. Aside from his own books, he wrote for and hob-nobbed with big names such as Kathryn Kuhlman, Pat Robertson, Dennis Bennett and David du Plessis, yet still befriended unknown people like me. He built a great church in Melbourne, traveled the world and was a prolific writer. He always said he wanted to live to be 100.
But at age 58 he collapsed while playing racquetball. At the hospital they found he had cancer of the kidney. After his kidney was removed, it seemed the cancer was gone, and during the process something wonderful happened, which he recounted in Summer of Miracles. And in one of his last columns, he wrote: “Having tasted from the sweet spring of intimacy with God, we will never again be satisfied with lapping from Earth’s polluted puddles.” Tragically, the cancer came back with a vengeance, and weeks before he turned 60, Jamie went to be with the Jesus he loved.
That was Feb. 17, 1992. Now, 20 years later, we honor him with a monthlong tribute on the website of the magazine he not only edited during the last few years of his life but was also instrumental in helping to start: Ministry Today. Every day we’ll have something new either from or about Jamie. You can write your own tribute or reflections about him and what his life meant to you by going online to ministrytodaymag.com/jamie.
Few readers had the opportunity to know Jamie as I did. But you can still be influenced through his writing, which lives on. One such memorable line is in Shout It From the Housetops and challenges us all: “Attempt something so big that without God it is bound to fail.”
DON'T MISS OUR CONFERENCE CALL WITH MARRIAGE EXPERT JIMMY EVANS ON TUESDAY, DEC. 13
You don't want to miss the next Ministry21/Ministry Today conference call tomorrow with pastor, marriage expert and author Jimmy Evans. Join us for an hour of engaging conversation with the senior leader of 10,000-plus strong Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo, Texas, for the past 29 years on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m. EDT, 3 p.m. CDT, 2 p.m. MDT and 1 p.m. PDT.
Here is the call information: Dial-in number (712) 432-1000; access code: 597057048#. Listen in as we to talk to Jimmy about strengthening marriage, the theme of the November-December issue of Ministry Today, now available.
Jimmy is also the founder and CEO of Marriage Today, a ministry that is devoted to helping couples build strong and fulfilling marriages and families. You can read Jimmy's informative article about avoiding the traps of ministry marriages in the November-December issue of Ministry Today by clicking here click here.
EXCITING 'MINISTRY TODAY' GUEST EDITORS LINEUP FOR 2012
We're excited to have finalized next year's guest editors lineup and themes for Ministry Today, which is better than ever, as you can see below.
• January/February: Bishop Harry R. Jackson Jr. on Christian Political Action
• March/April: Robert Stearns on Christian Zionism
• May/June: Bill Johnson on Revival and Healing
• July/August: R.T. Kendall on Preaching (Balancing the Word and the Spirit)
• September/October: Joyce Meyer on "Loving Out Loud: Radical Generosity"
• November/December: Joey Bonifacio on Discipleship
In the past year, the Ministry Today "brand" has grown more than 200 percent. Our guest editors have brought new vitality to the magazine, while helping pastors and leaders grow both in ministry and personally. Our 2012 guest editors lineup promises to continue to bring valuable teaching and ministry insight to pastors and leaders.
Now is the time to reserve your best advertising space, as premium space is reserving fast. You don't want you to miss out on reaching thousands of Ministry Today readers with your product/services/books or conferences in 2012.
For more information on advertising, contact Ann Marie Kelly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , call her at 407-333-7158 or click here.
GIVE YOUR MARRIAGE A MAKEOVER IN A MONTH
Dr. Doug Weiss is all about healing. He has devoted his life to healing the sexually broken. Through his work as a counselor and clinical psychologist as well as his many books, public speaking and numerous media appearances, Dr. Weiss has been able to help rescue thousands from sex addictions and other problems. He claims an 85 percent success rate. He personally understands sexual addiction, and has been successfully sober for more than 24 years.
Since the late 1990s, I've had the privilege of publishing several of his books, including The Final Freedom; Get A Grip; The 7 Love Agreements;Intimacy; Sex, God And Men; and 30-Day Marriage Makeover.
In 30-Day Marriage Makeover, Dr. Weiss discusses the power of intimacy and explains how couples can experience the abundant life Jesus promised—yes, even in marriage.
"Throughout my years of counseling, I have discovered that many marriages lack structures to encourage intimacy," he writes. "We grow up believing that one day we will get married and live happily ever after. We enter marriage ill equipped for intimacy and are disappointed when our husband or wife doesn't possess the secret code to intimacy either."
In this 30-day, step-by-step guide, Dr. Weiss uses his biblical knowledge and counseling experience to help couples strengthen their relationship with Christ, which will in turn deepen their relationship with each other. "I have been married for many years, and as we have applied these principles to our marriage, we have continued to grow closer and stronger together," he says. "Throughout the years, these principles have given life to my wife, to many of my clients and to me.
"Understand that passion is a result of setting priorities," Dr. Weiss adds. "Too many people attempt to get back the passion instead of getting back their priorities. Once you get the priorities back, the passion follows and grows naturally."
Click here to read an excerpt from the book and here to purchase 30-Day Marriage Makeover.
DID YOU MISS THIS IN THE NEWS?
Check out some links below to recent stories from Charisma News that you'll find informative and intriguing. You can also sign up to receive stories on your smart phone by signing up for the free app Charisma News by clicking here.
TheCall Detroit Prayer Gathering Airing on GodTV
Michele Bachmann Discusses Her Charismatic Roots
Joel Osteen Discusses Views on End Times and Heaven
John Hagee Donates $6 Million to Jewish Charities
'Anonymous' Movie Attacks Christianity
MINISTRY21 NETWORK IS IN LIGHTS
Well, Ministry21 Network is in lights at night if you drive down Rinehart Road, past our Charisma Media headquarters in Lake Mary, Fla.
Even though we have more than 15 brands, we could only pick two for the sign. I felt Ministry21 would represent the ministry aspect to our organization. (By the way, Casa Creacion is our Spanish group and the wellness center is a tenant.)
DO YOU WANT CHRISTIAN NEWS FOR YOUR WEB SITE?
Now Charisma Media is offering a free "plug-in" from charismanews.com's popular News app you can put on your own Web site. It's an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed, so it's constantly updated dozens of time a week, so your Web site is instantly updated and looks professional. Best of all, it's news you can trust from top-notch journalists who share your Spirit-filled perspective.
It can even be customized for your Web site. Let us show you how. We're rolling this out so you can be one of the first to have it. Sign up today. It's free for now. It's our way to bless you and to get the news we produce to a wider audience thanks to digital technology.
Please send us your contact information by calling 407-333-0600 and asking for Bob Cruz. You can also email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and he'll connect you with the right person.
Help us get out the word. Tell others about this free plug-in. Or give us leads of others who may want this who we can contact. You can also get the free Charisma app on your smart phone in the app store, download "Charisma News" or text "charisma" to 46275.
Click here for more information on how to customize the Charisma News widget for your site.
LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES YOU CAN USE
The third of four sessions of Dr. Mark Rutland's National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL) this year was recently held in Tulsa, Okla. I had the privilege of attending, and it was as good if not better than any of the previous sessions Dr. Rutland has done.
Click here to watch a video of Dr. Rutland talking about how you can participate in the NICL.
The topic of the recent NICL was on Public Speaking, Preaching and the Relationship of the Pastor with the Music Minister. Dr. Rutland gave one of the most interesting analysis I've heard on the growth and evolution of Christian music over the years, and he compared it with what was happening with secular music at the same time. It was very fascinating. It dealt a lot with the cultural issues of what's going on in the church and the world.
The next session (Turning the Ship: Strategic Leadership for Growth) of the NICL is to be held Nov. 7-9 at Strang Center in Lake Mary, Fla., located near Orlando, and the headquarters of Ministry Today.
You can also plan to attend the four sessions of the NICL in 2012: Feb. 6-8 (Leadership Management); March 26-28 (Staff & Volunteers: Building, Directing & Leading for Quality); and Sept. 10-12 (Preaching & Worship: Excellence in Expression). Several universities recognize Dr. Rutland’s leadership training. By completing the four-session course, you can earn college credit towards your degree.
For more information on the NICL, contact Daniel Prince at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , call him at 407-333-7106 or click here.
DID YOU MISS THIS IN THE NEWS?
Check out some links below to recent stories from Charisma News that you'll find interesting and informative. You can also sign up to receive stories on your smart phone by signing up for the free app Charisma News by clicking here.
After the Republican Debate: Why This Isn't Politics as Usual
While attending last night's showdown in my hometown, I was reminded of the crucial role believers play in our country's future
It was interesting to attend the Republican presidential debate in Orlando, Fla., last night as a member of the media. Charisma doesn't usually cover debates like this, and I wouldn't have attended had it not been in my hometown. It was broadcast live on Fox News and, truth be told, I could've seen it better on TV at home.
Even though I took notes on what the candidates said, I knew my readers either watched the debate or could read more extensive articles elsewhere. The question I had to ask was: "Where is God in all this? How does this affect the Spirit-filled community? And how do I cover it in Charisma?"
The most interesting experience for me was after the debate when Doug Wead, who is a "senior adviser" with candidate Ron Paul, approached me in the "spin room" as hundreds of media people milled around interviewing whoever they could find. I've known Doug since I was a teenager. He's been a political gadfly for years, serving in various campaigns and once working in the White House for George H.W. Bush as a liaison to the evangelical community. In that role Doug arranged a couple of appointments for me with President Bush. He also worked closely with the president's son and had some sort of falling out that resulted in his being persona non grata later when George W. Bush became president.
Now Doug has resurfaced in the political world working for Ron Paul, even though historically he has not been a libertarian. This is after an unsuccessful campaign for Congress, a stint in Amway, writing books and who knows what else.
Like me, Doug has a Pentecostal background, and over the years he has told me many conspiracy theories about all the behind-the-scenes things in politics where Pentecostals are marginalized or persecuted—if not by the liberals, then by the non-charismatic evangelicals. I find his theories interesting because some of what he says is probably right—I just never know which part.
First, he told me about all the born-again Christians who now work for Paul, as if that would make it easier for me to support Paul (which I don't). He said they like Paul's libertarian stance of keeping the government out of people's lives, even though that means things like giving Muslims the right to build a mosque at Ground Zero. That's because if the government can keep Muslims from building a mosque, the government can prevent Christians from building churches.
He also speculated about how the conservative Christian power brokers are jockeying this political season to "have a seat at the table." I listened as Doug theorized that some of these evangelicals are so anti-Pentecostal that they'll refuse to back a candidate like Michele Bachmann just because she graduated from Oral Roberts University. He said they like having "their own candidate" so they recruited Rick Perry, a former Methodist turned Southern Baptist, to run for president.
I don't necessarily agree with Doug's assessment. But my own involvement in former Gov. Mike Huckabee's campaign in 2008 let me see some of these dynamics at work. I'm glad Christians are getting involved. For years Pentecostals were passive and quiet when it came to politics. But with the direction our country is going, it's not just a political issue any more. There is a moral issue of getting leaders into office who share our values and legislate and lead accordingly.
Thankfully, good people are running for office. I believe George W. Bush was a sincere evangelical, as we documented in a book we published in 2003 called The Faith of George W. Bush. (Wead tried to make me think last night that Bush only pretended to be an evangelical.)
The reason I supported Huckabee was because of his character, his motivation to get this country on the right track and because he seemed to appreciate support from Christians rather than take it for granted, as many do. It wasn't until evangelicals supported him that he rose from being an asterisk in the polls to winning the important Iowa Caucus in 2008. Alas, he lost that early momentum to John McCain and as a result Barack Obama is in the White House today.
With Huckabee's decision not to run I'm in a quandary of who to support. I have my personal favorites, but that's not necessarily a reason to support someone—just because you like them.
Interestingly, the debate came about the same time we are finishing a Charisma cover story for November called "Pentecostals, Politics and a Crash Course That Could Change a Nation." John Stemberger, the attorney who led the campaign to put a marriage amendment in the Florida constitution, is writing it. He looks at many of these issues, including how politicians—especially the left—attack any candidate who has a Pentecostal connection, such as John Ashcroft, Sarah Palin or Michele Bachmann. It isn't your typical "political issue" and we don't endorse anyone. But I think you'll find it interesting.
There is a battle for the soul of this nation that goes deeper than just "politics." Since America stands for freedom around the world, what happens here has ramifications around the world. This isn't the place to discuss in depth the terrible condition of the nation nor how President Obama seems to be leading in the wrong direction. With him going down in the polls almost daily—even with his core constituencies—it's as if the country is waking up to this. But it's more than just replacing him with someone with a more conservative approach to governing. There is a spiritual dynamic involved. Remember, "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers" (Ephesians 6:12).
The Bible tells us to pray for righteous leaders who we can live a peaceable life (See 1 Tim. 2:1-2). So my takeaway after being immersed in the political world for a few hours: Pray! For all intercessors, pray that God will give us leaders both in government, business and in other areas, who will get this nation on the right path.
THE NEED FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
Below are links to some of the early news stories on the death at age 42 of Zachery Tims. As I write this, we don't yet know the cause of death, but the secular media has reported that an envelope with white powder was found on his body. Zachery had a wonderful testimony of how God changed his life—which we published in a book, It's Never Too Late, which is no longer in print, and we featured him in Charisma. However, he never totally beat the demons that haunted him. I know that because of personal conversations I had with him after he went through a very messy divorce resulting from his admitted infidelity.
I personally reached out to him. I know many others did. I included him in meetings with Jack Hayford and others as a way of trying to network him with other leading pastors, knowing he was vulnerable. There was a wonderful, warm, loving side to him and that is what drew people to him as a leader. But there apparently was a dark side few knew. I don't want to speculate more than that, but as the story unfolds we will report it online and in print.
Lee Grady has just written an excellent column called "What We Must Learn from the Zachery Tims Tragedy" that I urge you to read. Click here
Yesterday, I got this email from an M21 member, Faith Frederick. With her permission, I'm reprinting it below because she voices the heart cry of why we created this relational network. Meanwhile, if you harbor a dark side, I appeal to you to get help before it's too late. Whether it's through M21 or not, please get help.
Dear Steve:
In light of the recent news about Zachery Tims, I just want to say how I appreciate what you are doing through Ministry21 Network. I pray there would be someway that more pastors would participate. If there is anything that I can do please let me know. My heart is grieved because as we look at so many in ministry today, the values that we were raised with seem to be forgotten. I just wanted to reach out and say that as you are faithful to proclaim the message of integrity may God richly bless you and Joy.
Dr. Faith Fredrick
Click links below for stories on Zachery Tims:
Megachurch Pastor Zachery Tims Dies
Zachery Tims' Church Meeting May Offer Answers About Pastor's Death
Zachery Tims' Ex-Wife Speaks Out at Church Service
Zachery Tims’ Viewing, Funeral Plans Announced
Zachery Tims Tributes Surface on YouTube
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