Recently, a number of inquiries have come to us about a fellowship of churches and ministries. Charles and Dotty Schmitt and the leadership of Immanuel’s Church are happy to announce the forming of such a fellowship for those—
1. PASSIONATE FOR THE PRESENCE OF GOD
(Psalm 27:4, 8; Song of Songs 3:1-4).
2. PASSIONATE FOR THE OUTPOURING OF GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT
(Zechariah 10:1; Acts 2:17-21).
3. PASSIONATE FOR THE RESTORATION AND UNITY OF CHRIST’S BODY
(Amos 9:11; Acts 3:19-21).
4. PASSIONATE FOR WORLDWIDE HARVEST
(Matthew 9:37-38; 24:14).
5. PASSIONATE FOR THE RECOVERY AND RESTORATION OF BROKEN LIVES
(Isaiah 42:3; 61:1-4).
6. PASSIONATE FOR PRAYER AND FOR THE SOUND HANDLING OF THE WORD OF GOD
(Acts 6:4; II Timothy 2:15).
7. PASSIONATE FOR THE RETURN OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
(Revelation 22:20; II Timothy 4:8).
– DEFINITIONS –
A. By “Fellowship” we mean a non-sectarian fraternity forged in love between churches and ministries of our Lord Jesus, open to all who are His (Philippians 1:3-6).
A. By “Churches” we mean those gatherings of believers who hold their primary identity to be the Body of Christ, regardless of any other denominational or inter-denominational affiliation (Ephesians 4:3-6).
B. By “Ministers” we mean those anointed men and women who actively serve our Lord Jesus Christ, whether as paid ministers or as tentmaker-ministers (I Timothy 4: 13-16).
C. By “Passionate” we mean ministers and churches whose zeal is expressed in the above seven statements of conviction. We are a passionate people!
- RESPONSIBILITIES -
i. There are no financial obligations to this fellowship, except as may spontaneously spring from the generosity of its members, primarily to further the cause of apostolic missions in the earth.
ii. Our sole obligation is “the continuing debt to love one another” (Romans 13:8), which will express itself in faithfully praying for one another and in a willingness to serve one another in personal encouragement and wise counsel and ministry.
-LEADERSHIP-
Leadership within this fellowship shall be by the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, and will be expressed with humility and gentleness, seeking to serve others, but never as overlords (Luke 22:24-27; Matthew 20:25-28). In the words of John Michael Talbot, commenting on the philosophy of Francis of Assisi—
“We should not seek
To be in the charge of another;
We should seek just to be
The servants of all men
So those of us who must lead
Will lead only as they follow
Follow the King,
Who leads without guile….”
-COMMITMENT-
Assured of the nearness of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:11), and of His promises for worldwide-revival and harvest (James 5:7-8), and of His intent to restore His Church so that He might “present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27) — assured of those awesome realities, we commit ourselves to run together in pursuit of these holy ways of God.
A FELLOWSHIP OF CHURCHES AND
MINISTERS OF JESUS CHRIST
- Helping to facilitate a sharing of spiritual resources—the strengths of various churches and ministers made available to all who desire specific help
- Helping to facilitate training and schooling for ministers through distance courses—with certifications upon completion
- Helping to facilitate ministerial commissioning and ordination in conjunction with the local church
- Helping to facilitate encouragement, inspiration, wise counsel and accountability
- Helping to facilitate a “Moving Together” network of ministers for prayer and ministry—first, city-wide; then, statewide, nationwide and worldwide
- Helping to facilitate gatherings together for mutual edification, practical sharing (on topics such as mentoring, legacy, etc.) and doctrinal discussion
- Helping to facilitate the gathering of Pastor’s wives and women in ministry leadership for mutual encouragement, instruction, fellowship and accountability
- Helping to facilitate ventures together for prophetic intercession, evangelism, and apostolic outreach
If you are interested in more details, please email cschmitt@immanuels.org
