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 webpages,
   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.

We have entered a season whereby God is drawing His creation together!
Please see the letters  Greater Works        Kingdom Konnections       Kingdom Keys

  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 foundational 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 and its 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 and transformation will quickly come! (Luke 18:8).

   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 Chuck Pierce is admonishing the body of Christ 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]