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yes Jeff I feel the Lord calling pretty strongly in some direction and trying to work through that at the moment. I have already made enquiry to the Uni I would most likely attend if proceeded with the Mastors. The other options are more spirit lead minsitries that do not take you through Masters rather Diplomas, as it makes no deal to me re a certificate rather the relationship with God and giving of service, I am not fussed either way.

http://chc.edu.au/index.php/courses/school-of-ministries/diploma-of-ministry-studies/ This one I start the Diploma next year and on completion can follow through to the Masters as does not start until 2012 (Masters is a new course) but they have said that the Diploma will be recognised as the first year of a 2 year course.

Option 2 which I guess accademics would not take too kindly to is more a basic but Spirit led course, http://www.spiritledacademy.org/ Stuart Gramanz runs a House Church system here in Aust

Then there is this one as well which I think would be similar to the latter of the above http://www.pscbrisbane.com/site/default.cfm

The first I will be loaded down with theology and more accademic yet spiritual as is a Christian Uni, the latter 2 would be less theology more hands on and experience. I have a Bachelor of Human Science from years back so it is not as if I havent hit that road before but one has to weigh up what Gods will is and listen for that still small voice of the Holy Spirit.

Jeff I thank you for your word too, as confirms my own convictions Wayne

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Rick I could imagine you would cop quite a bit of flak in your position but you seem confident enough to be able to endure it, which is a good thing.

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Wayne,
You are probably right that I can take it. I've got some thick skin from living in the north-country for so many years now (it was -25 Fahrenheit today for church -- all four services I participated in).

I would actually encourage you to work towards a more rigorous academic program if possible and find a mentor (or mentors is preferable) for the issues you are looking at concerning wanting to go further in being Spirit-led. I have several men in my life that are mentors who speak into my life regularly. One is a dear Pentecostal brother who is one of the most powerful pray-ers I know....and I've been spending time with him to grow more and more in my prayer life and asking him pointed questions about prayer to grow in this area. Another is a dynamic and mature Pentecostal leader in the Assemblies in the U.S. and I meet with him regularly and he is mentoring me in the area of leading churches and developing other leaders. I have several others as well, but you get the point.

I'm doing this while also having mentors who are helping me in the areas of academic research, writing, linguistics and theology as well....most of whom just happen to belong to fellowships that are non-Pentecostal, but they absolutely love the Lord and are going after Him with all their hearts. They are the kind of people that I need in my life and they have specific gifts for the Church that we all need to become the kind of Church we need to become.

I say seek out the heavier academic setting, because when all is said and done...chances are you can find mentors for much of the spiritual life you are looking for, but not for the academic/intellectual. And you won't be as motivated for growth in that area if you don't specifically choose it as a field of study. You can certainly pursue it on your own and do marvelously, but I would encourage you if possible choose that over the other. And while doing so find godly men and women who will pour into your life the spiritual maturity and giftings that God has given them.

Be blessed brother!

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Of the three, do that first one.

one of those links had coursework on "how to heal people" with the "buy now" button for thirty bucks flashing above it. It didn't appear sincere to me at first impression (not that it isn't). What are the credentials? Is it a significant education?
The reason I ask is because, well, we were just talking about a book for "29.95" that has a whole section on divine healing, and covers all the other courses as well.
Is the knowledge provided in the class going to profit you more than just reading the book?

Hey Rick, I do not think I could suffer such cold not that I understand Fahrenheit just being in the minus sends a shiver up my spine. Your facility has 4 services a day? thats pretty full on for out in the fields, must be an exciteable bunch!

Tis funny I feel tossed too and fro with which way to go, there ya go Im a poet and didnt know it. If I was to consider a mentor he lives interstate has been a best mate for many years. However here in QLD I cannot say I have come across anyone I would consider for such a position. That may stand partly due to my rigidity of what be right and wrong.

Seems many of the churches up here welcome the Chronicles of Narnia etc with open arms. A church I visited yesterday even had the kids wearing reindeer antlers and father christmas hats and a pantamime booked for next week of Peter Pan.

This sort of carry on always reminds me of when Moses turns his back for 5 mins and they start building idols, or with Joshua after warning the people to take nothing other than what he said I cannot remember now they ignored and at first were defeated in AI. Then there was Rebecca or was it Rachel whom took some of her fathers idols on the trip.

Seems the church hasnt changed much taking on Pagon rituals and idols etc, this puts me in a very minority case so in that way can understand how you must feel.

Having a mentor would have to be someone whom I respected maybe a bit of a dogmatic person lols (like myself). I certainly would appreciate it though. The mentorhip you have sounds great I admire that, refrained from the word envy

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Hey Jeff the Spirit Led site stems from this http://www.cccn.com.au/index.php?page=about the church is based on home fellowship and the principles behind it is to operate similarly to the origional apostle style church. They follow what is called the 5 fold ministries from memory Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Healing, I cant remember what the next one is but youll get the gist. Therefore your correct it would not take an accademic, someone like Peter a fisherman would fit in just dandy. As for the flashing books signs, I did not see that but the price sounded good lols maybe I sent the wrong link try this one http://www.spiritledacademy.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=21&Itemid=8

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Personally I would not (and could not) actually recommend such an "institute" as you have linked to Wayne. They seem to simply be the work on one fellow and they have no statement of faith whatsoever. How do you know what they believe? What will they actually teach you then?

When I was speaking of mentors...I would encourage you to have ones that you don't necessarily even agree with about things. That's actually important. It challenges your thinking and pushes you to be more than you already are. Much like this site. I do think its important to have those around us as well that we are in a common fellowship with, but I also think it important that we be with those we disagree and yet confess our faith in Christ together. There is something to be gained by listening to those you disagree with (and even continue to disagree with).

My thesis advisor is an amazing man of God and one of the most brilliant Hebrew scholars I've had the pleasure of working with and I will be meeting with him later today. He has challenged me in many different areas of my academic life and in my study of the Old Testament. I disagree with him rather strongly about several things, but we also agree on many things...and I recognize that there is much to be gained from our corporate times together. Tomorrow when we are together we will sit with each other in chapel for prayer, singing of hymns and choruses, reading of the Scriptures and the preaching of the Word. And we will be be blessed together and we will probably share our lunch together and have a wonderful time. We'll banter back and forth about this minutiae or that of Hebrew studies or Canadian/U.S. policies and be the richer for our friendship and fellowship.

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Maybe your right Rick, I can be a bit rigid, Finally obtaining some blessings from that over weight package of Wayne G, I jumped further into the book leaving an area I seemed to get bogged in.

Funny really as I tend to get a little defensive even before I finish the gist of what is being said, but I perservered and just had a wonderful time reading on the gifts of the Spirit. Miraculous vs Natural all being the works of God through his Spirit, Wayne certainly opens up some channels that you may miss by just skimming through, the Bible.

I might start at the home fellowship thing but still tread the path of doing the Masters that is a bit of a compromise. Your life sounds pretty full on Rick do you sleep? or is that one of your gifts, no sleep required lols

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Glad to know you are getting more benefit out of Grudem. He is a fine scholar and at least friendly towards Pentecostals (something one does not always encounter)...and how about that first name...huh . He can be rather dogmatic about where he stands on various issues as opposed to the systematic theology of someone like Millard Erickson. However, if you can still appreciate someone for knowing where they stand and why, even when you disagree, it will take you a long way.

And I do sleep once in a while...honest. The activeness keeps me out of trouble...or at least its supposed to.

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Hi Rick I have really enjoyed some of Wayne G's arguments presented on the gifts, and in this particular area cant say I found any disagreeances and he is providing others views which has been helpful. One particular view is that the gifts ceased once the scriptures were completed and how they came to those conclusions, I knew some had taken on this particular doctrine but was never sure how they could come to such a conclusion until now, but still flabagasts me but at least I see where they draw that conclusion.

I guess the good thing is it does tend to lead me more to the more orthodox way for study this comming year, thanks for your input and yours too Jeff.

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Grudem has taught through his Systematic Theology book in a SS class at his church in Phoenix. The classes are available free on mp3 downloads here: http://www.monergism.com/directory/link ... h--System/ Great for time when listening works but reading doesn't (car, treadmill, etc)

Regards.

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Thanks Jim I note his book is $20 cheaper here too bit late for me though, the mp3s yes great idea for the car. I use to dislike driving but now use it as an education session

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Hi wanelad,

So what's your issue with the Chronicles of Narnia? If you think it has anything to do with idolatory or paganism, you're way off the mark. In writing the Chronicles, CS Lewis (a lay theologian and Christian apologist) aimed to make Christian ideas more easily understood by children. In 2000, his Mere Christianity was voted best book of the 20th century by Christianity Today.

Hi wanelad,



Right on the mark of Paganism Macro, however I guess all to their own interpretation. I do not intend to enter a debate here fully on my views of that though. I am well aware that many respect C.S. Lewis writings as well, many dont I seem to fit the latter category.

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Just curious Wayne, Have you read The Chronicles of Narnia?

Grudem was a great help for me while I was struggling with the cessationist view. I was raised in the cessationist mentality and now do not hold to that view anymore. Many who truly love the Lord do and God still blesses through them. I may consider a book or two reccomended here on this thread.



Blessings,
Randy

I have no need to RT, I am well aware of the story having witches, magic and the such, have you read what the Bible has to say about such things?

RT I have stopped watching some of my favourite T.V shows from conviction by the Holy Spirit, yes for some time I tried to justify and came up with valid reasons for these shows to be ok. The Apostle Paul though tells us to renew our minds, how can we do this if we keep loading our minds with witches and warlocks etc or in my case it was crime and killing such as CSI etc; this is my conviction I guess if God is telling you different then well so be it. Whatever you do; do in faith, for me to entertain such now, would not be in faith so therefore would be sin.

Then lets take C.S. Lewis without being too judgemental due to my own short fallings; he held the view of Theistic theology, this means he believed he could combine evolution with his faith. Now to do this means one has to discount Genesis and the view of Young Earth Theory. This means then we discount the way sin came into the world and the need for the second Adam (the need for Christ). Toying with myth and pagon idolitories is one of the most dangerous things the church of today plays with, how many children then start combine those myths with biblical truths corrupting the mind to all sorts of strange beliefs.

Have you read in the Old Testiment why Gods people most of the time failed to enter the promises of God? nearly everytime it was in relation to pulling out their chisels and carving idols or seeking divination. Nothing has changed in todays age, Gods people still get side tracked and try to combine such things into their faith, God really hates that.

RT Blessings and I hope this helps you to understand my view point more

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