As I was musing over prophetic ministry, I have come up with some of the top practices I think are either harmful or manipulative. I write this article as someone who has been involved in some form of prophetic ministry for more than three decades. Consequently, I have witnessed the "good, the bad and the ugly"! (My experience has been overwhelmingly positive.)My purpose in writing this article is to encourage best practices for the edification of the local church and beyond (in no particular order).
- Unaccountable Prophets
I have learned never to invite a prophetic leader to minister if I do not know who
they are aligned with (in other words, who do they have to mediate if a sin or moral violation is uncovered in their life?).
One of the most dangerous weapons in the hand of our enemy is an anointed leader who is not accountable to anybody else.
- Individualistic Prophetic Words
All prophecies, both in the Old and New Testaments, were given in the context of the assembly of the Lord.
There was no such thing as "individual destiny," "individual vision" or personal, isolated words. Even prophetic words given to individuals in the Old Testament were either directly or indirectly related to the recipient's
assignment for the nation of Israel.
In the New Testament, the gifts of the Spirit (including prophecy) were enumerated in detail by Paul the apostle in the context of Holy Communion, discerning the church and with the understanding of the corporate body of Christ.
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