COMMENTARY

Don Atkin

DEVELOPING KINGDOM LEADERSHIP

A new friend who is a seminary student spoke to me in passing, "I’m taking my exam today in ‘Church History from the Reformation.’" I wished him well, and begin to think about what he said.

How sad it is that so many trace our history only to the Reformation period, launched by Martin Luther. The world is full of faulty foundations that have come from such a shallow study.

I notice that those who trace church history from the day of Pentecost have a much better possibility of having the correct foundation to build upon, and the proper materials with which to build.

Academia falls far short of equipping leaders to equip the saints for works of service. Oh, you can have competent ushers and parking lot attendants. But, I’m talking about Holy Spirit filled followers moving forward in kingdom expansion under the anointing of King Jesus Christ!

Hands-on, personal discipling was the method of Jesus and is still the method of choice for those who truly want to see the increase of laborers for the harvest. The prevailing authorities following Pentecost saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men. They marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).

Bottom line, bold miracle workers are those who have been with Jesus. We need to be discipled. And, we need to be with Jesus.

Having said this, let me quickly add that there is a place for academic study and preparation that will provide the earnest Christian with valuable tools.

Finally, there is an on-line seminary that is philosophically given to bringing learning and experience together in preparing the saints for works of service! It’s affordable, flexible, mobile, global, and relevant.

Check it out at www.apostlestheologicalseminary.org.