EXCITING 'MINISTRY TODAY' GUEST EDITORS LINEUP FOR 2012

GIVE YOUR MARRIAGE A MAKEOVER IN A MONTH

DID YOU MISS THIS IN THE NEWS?

MINISTRY21 NETWORK IS IN LIGHTS

DO YOU WANT CHRISTIAN NEWS FOR YOUR WEB 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?

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

SHARPEN YOUR LEADERSHIP EDGE WITH HELP FROM DR. MARK RUTLAND

We've finalized the next issue of Ministry Today for September-October with Dr. Mark Rutland, president of Oral Roberts University, as the guest editor.

It's an excellent issue, and you won't want to miss it. Besides the information that you'll get in the issue, I want to call your attention to our partnership with Dr. Rutland on the National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL). The next session is to be held Sept. 12-14 in Tulsa, Okla. If you register, you can bring your music minister, worship leader or another staff member to the Preaching & Worship session for a special price. We're thrilled to be part of the NICL, which is an intense training and learning experience.

The leadership training has impacted many pastors and ministry leaders. "There's so much great information, and my life and ministry have been blessed by it," said Daniel Kolenda, president and CEO of Christ for All Nations. "I want to encourage everyone out there who has a desire to learn more, to grow in leadership, to grow in ministry and plug into the National Institute of Christian Leadership because it will enrich your ministry, enrich your business and enrich your life."

Justin Senesi, senior pastor of New Life Community Church in Rathdrum, Ind., added: "The National Institute of Christian Leadership has helped me as a young pastor to know that I'm going the right way. I'm surrounded by people who have done this before. They are a great resource to help me be successful moving forward to see our church accomplish all that God has for us."

There are four NICL sessions per year. Seating is limited, so registering early ensures more interaction and personal attention. Start as early as next month or attend the first NICL session of 2012 in February. Ask us about college credit, how spouses can attend at no charge, Early Bird and group discounts.

For more information on the National Institute of Christian Leadership, 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.

Known for his remarkable ability to turnaround struggling organizations, Dr. Rutland is often sought after for leadership training and has written several books published by Charisma House and Creation House, including Hanging by a Thread; Nevertheless; Dream; Power; Holiness; Resurrection; Most Likely to Succeed; and Character Matters.

Click here to read a free chapter on "loyalty" from Character Matters, which Dr. Rutland says is one of his best.

You can also listen to a previous conference call of Dr. Rutland with Ministry 21 Network by clicking here.