On 04-12-08, while surfing the internet, my attention became focused upon an article that
    addressed Apostolic Spiritual Cover.  It also gives additional insight into the divine realm
    of covenant partnership.  It confirms the many letters of the City of Lights website to which
   TEAM ministry is addressed. 
    As has been shared in many places throughout our Prophetic Voice web pages,
    God has made the way to reach and teach the nations.  It is not appropriate for ministries
    to continue to have to struggle to promote their divine appointments. 
    By coming together in divine fellowship to worship, bless and seek the Lord,
    we can hear what the Spirit of God is saying to the church.  
  
    Many find themselves working within special areas of ministry.
    They are ignored by fellow leaders in the Body.  This is not the will of the Father.
     It is for the more experienced and blessed in the Church to edify one another recognizing
     the graces and gifts of God within the works and providing counsel, encouragement and
     assistance to bring it forth. 

     Apostolic covering is not just limited to a single relationship. 
    The cover is enhanced in the "fellowship of apostles" with the Father and the Son.
    The Lord established the pattern of apostolic companies to build His Church. 
    It is important that we come together to enhance the apostolic work
    of the Great Commission.

  Apostolic Councils Arise!
  written by Mike McClung,
   Director Lionheart ACTS Ministries / IHOP Knoxville

   Although the states of Tennessee and Alabama have apostolic councils,
   many of those sitting on these councils, including myself, do not have city-wide
   or region-wide councils that are in place and operating.
   I have been a part of local movements in the past that have focused on prayer
   and fellowship, but they never evolved into what they were supposed to become--
   an apostolic council of pastors, leaders, businessmen, etc., that would convene
   to sit in the presence of the Lord and hear what He is saying and strategizing
   over their area.

   This entails much more than social action, although that is a part of the strategy.
   Whether it was fear of what others might think, false humility, or something else,
   many were not willing to take the step to become a "voice" of strategic input into
   a region. Some thought this would appear to be "arrogant."
   Was the apostle Paul arrogant when he referred to himself as an apostle?
   That term meant something much different than it does today!

   Some may think of apostles as some holy man or woman who walks four feet
   off the ground and glows in the dark!
   Apostles are builders to the body of Christ, both in ministry and person.
   The word "apostle" was the only one of the five-fold ministry that was not taken
   from a "religious" terminology. The etymology of the word "apostle" goes back
   thousands of years before the first advent, and it meant a "general" who led
   an army or armada into battle.

   The word "ecclesia," translated "Church," came from a classic Greek word
   that described elected magistrates who made and decided on the policy of a city
   or locality. They declared war and made peace, treaties, and alliances.
   They were responsible for military actions and raising finances to support the work.
 
   The Church leadership is supposed to be ruling and reigning through intimacy,
   worship, and prayer (priestly function), hearing strategy(prophetic function),
   then training, equipping, mobilizing, and supplying the carrying out of the
   strategies (apostolic function).

   Apostles, apostolic ministries, and councils are arising, which means the Lord
   is calling the body of Christ to war. And this is not a war we will lose, but win,
   if we get in place, submit to God's order, and obey the strategies He will release
   as He takes His seat as Judge over cities, regions, and nations.
   The power of the enemy will be broken upon those rebellious to God.

   Acts 13:1-4 gives a Biblical precedent and model for apostolic councils operating.
   As the elders (recognized leaders by the Holy Spirit) came together to fellowship,
   worship (minister to the Lord), pray, and fast, the Lord gave clear, implicit direction
   and strategy.
   This model for apostolic councils should be embraced, but there should be much
   room left for allowing the Holy Spirit to adjust meeting times.
   Many leader's meetings that I have been a part of majored on fellowship and
   "backslapping." These are great and very necessary for the unity of the Spirit,
   but they must move on!  It is time to come together with the expressed purpose
   of seeking the heart and mind of the Lord.

   The Church must receive key strategies to execute a winning war over the souls
   and regions to which the Lord will call us to account.
   The traditional model of THE pastor in a local church with duties centered
   around man must come to an end. Although each local fellowship (allotment)
   needs strong pastoral guidance and ministry, we must recognize that there
   are many apostolic men and women who cannot fulfill their callings because
   of the demands placed on them.

  This needs to change and "old wineskins" must be broken off of the minds
  and hearts of God's people. Many are being called to leave the comfort of the old
  to be released to fulfill the calling of the Lord, not only on their lives, but also
  on their cities and regions.

  Apostolic councils are to begin convening, seeking the Lord as in Acts 13,
  and then releasing the decrees and strategies the Lord gives.
  Many with a traditional mindset will reject it, and will probably even mock
  and persecute it. Regardless, these apostolic councils must have the will to see
  this happen, because our lives and regions will increasingly depend upon it
  as we near the end of the age.
  The Army must be gathered!

  Joel 3:9-13 is a passage of Scripture that is pertinent to the time we have entered.
  The prophet admonishes the leaders to "Proclaim this among the nations:
  "Prepare for war! Wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near,
   let them come up'" (verse 9).
   As these apostolic councils begin to arise and seek the Lord together, warfare
   will be engaged as the Lord begins to seat Himself and His authority over their cities,
   states, and regions. This WILL mobilize the Body of Christ as the Army of God.
   MANY of the saints are WAITING for strategy and orders!
   As leaders get into proper place and alignment, the rest of the true Body of Christ
   will also. As we do this, resources will begin to be released by the Lord to establish
   what needs to happen.

   One of the things the body of Christ needs admonished to do is "ask the Holy Spirit
   to reveal new supply lines."  There is a multitude of resources yet untapped that
   the Lord is waiting to release to those who are desiring to see His Kingdom advance!
   What happens on earth governs what of Heaven flows into this realm
   (see Matthew 18:18-20).
   Because the Lord has given the earth to men (Psalm 115:16), He is waiting on us
   to come into alignment with Him and His purposes.
   As we do, what is in Heaven will break into the earth realm.
   The Lord is ready to be seated over entire cities, regions, and nations if the saints
   will adjust and align themselves.

   As Christ's leaders step out, and are not afraid to come together... and Biblically,
   say what they hear Him say, then together mobilize to see His will be done,
   the court of Heaven will quickly be seated to release restorative justice
   into their regions.
   May it happen now!      [End of article]