Hi again. Time flies, and it doesn’t seem all that long ago I reported on the 2013 fellowship.
But actually, it has come around quicker than usual as we experimented with changing the annual date from July to March (the summer calendar being so busy).
Attendance was up, with over 25 UK delegates, 3 PRMI leaders (we were thrilled to welcome back Brad, Cindy and Maryellen) and 3 other visitors from the USA. Initial feedback on the change of date seems positive.
A Familiar Venue
Many of us felt instantly at home at the Kings Park Christian Conference Centre, Northampton, which is used frequently now for a variety of DFBI events.
The fellowship started with lunch on Thursday; a special time for catching up with old friends and making some new ones. We closed on Saturday afternoon with an even more special meal – Communion led by Rev Brian Clarke.
A Good Balance
Although the sessions were full of interesting, informative presentations; some excellent teaching; and some stimulating group work, there was also plenty of time for Spirit filled sung worship led by Karen Langford; challenging biblical reflections led by Hilary Clark and time and space for people to just bask in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The balance between information and spiritual recuperation seemed just right to me! It was obvious that the Leadership Team led by Rev Paul Stokes had worked hard to achieve this balance. I mention below just a few of the sessions and highlights of the fellowship.
ht to me! It was obvious that the Leadership Team led by Rev Paul Stokes had worked hard to achieve this balance. I mention below just a few of the sessions and highlights of the fellowship.
Biblical Reflection
Hilary led the reflection on Haggai 2 – the account of when rebuilding work on the temple of Jerusalem finally commenced. The key points that she brought out were:
It was clear that the Israelites were not prospering because they had forgotten their covenant and were putting their own needs before their commitment to God.
God wanted them (and still wants us) to put Him at the centre of their/our lives and not have hearts that are cold towards Him.
God says “I have called you to a task – are you going to complete that call?”
Be real about the extent of the problem but don’t look backwards to what was; always look forward to what there is to come.
See a bigger picture – God is in control
The temple was a symbol of something to come; to manifest God’s glory. We are now the symbol of something more to come and we can also manifest His glory.
Teaching
Brad introduced the fascinating topic of spiritual strongholds in churches and organisations.
It was a real ‘eye opener’ to a number of people who had been wrestling with understanding why churches and organisations they are in struggle so much and sometimes fall apart. I cannot do justice to this teaching in this article but strongly recommend that you go on line to Brad’s ‘Discerning the Times’ web pages and sign up for the news sheet and watch the videos.
I cannot do justice to this teaching in this article but strongly recommend that you go on line to Brad’s ‘Discerning the Times’ web pages and sign up for the news sheet and watch the videos.
Brad’s second area of teaching was on ‘Conducting Effective Debriefing Sessions at Events’
“Debriefing is a core part of our DNA”.
Brad Long
This was Brad’s opening statement to a clear and definite call to ensure that effective debriefing always takes place.
He went on to say that debriefing has made a major impact on the effectiveness, transparency, credibility and accountability of PRMI.
In many parts of the world leaders subjecting themselves to a debrief of what happened ‘on their watch’ is counter cultural but in Dunamis events it has a major impact on the hearts of people who see it in operation for the first time.
Brad explained that rather than detract from the leader’s authority and position it actually adds immensely.
Brad gave a resume on the origins of the debrief in PRMI; what should be done; when it should be done; and why it should be done; and how it should be done.
There is far too much teaching to be included in this brief article but I intend to take Brad’s slides and write a more detailed report that will be available later on the DFBI website.
But as a taster, I can tell you that Brad explained that debriefs should be tied back to either the four Dunamis tests of discernment and/ or an actual kairos moment that happened in the session.
These should be the platform for launching the debrief; and the concept according to Brad is that “You are taking what is implicit in what happened in the meeting and explaining it as something explicit” i.e. you are taking, for example, the signs of a spiritual manifestation, and explaining what was happening from various perspectives.
Paul Stokes gave an interesting update on the progress on ‘Equipping Streams and how these are gradually being ‘rolled out’ to different areas of the Dunamis Institute portfolio, including for the first time the Dunamis Project and Growing the Church Programme.
Paul defined ‘equipping stream’ as ‘a purposeful pathway for study, practice, mentoring and community’.
So, for example, instead of just attending a Dunamis event for its intrinsic value (an experience that can already be life changing) – attendees will be able to ‘tap into’ extended learning by engaging with a mentor; online moderated learning and additional reading assignments.
The learning experience will go deeper. As Paul pointed out, “The buy in level is significantly different and so the outcome is significantly different. There is more than just an interest level. There is an accountability level”.
Certificates of completion would be given to those completing all of the assigned work for that stream. Leaflets will be available through the DFBI website.
Good Practice
Brian Clarke introduced a draft document for discussion and feedback on ‘Guidelines for Track Directors’.
Brian explained that as part of the Dunamis Institute’s drive for quality and professionalism; and because as the Dunamis Project expands teaching and practice from the core of the organisation can become dissipated or distorted there is a need to ensure that all projects are run to the same high standard.
This does not detract from the Holy Spirit’s leading or from the personalities or gifting of the teams – but seeks to set out practical, legal, pastoral and common sense ‘best practice’ in all the different areas of the track from the initial forming of a team right through to debriefing the events. A draft copy is available from brian@dunamis.org.uk. Comments and feedback by email are most welcome.
Reports on the Ongoing Projects in DFBI
Interspersed throughout the event there were times of prayer for the various ongoing projects.
Reports had been submitted in advance by Track or Event Directors. Copies of the reports from The Frampton Cottrell Track, The East Midlands Track, Upward Challenge, Living Waters and The Advanced Healing Course will be available through the DFBI web site.
The fellowship gave thanks for the wonderful way in which these events were impacting on the lives of both the team members and the people who attended.
The Frampton Cottrell Track is the first in the UK to be non residential and to only run once a year and during school holidays. Its success is being monitored as this could be a model for reaching those who cannot attend residential tracks.
Paul Stokes announced that regrettably following a number of difficulties in which there had been heartfelt attempts to resolve them, the Diaspora Track which was set up specifically to reach out to international and ethnic groups would be closed down.
The fellowship prayed and gave thanks for those involved and prayed that those who had attended had been blessed as a result of the teaching they had received.
God’s Plans for the Future of DFBI
Cathy Clarke ran a ‘spirit led’ listening prayer session as the fellowship sought to seek God’s guidance on how he wants us to proceed in the future.
She used a funneling approach where individuals waited on God in silent prayer.
They then fed back their discernment in small groups.
After another period of silent prayer in which the small groups had asked for discernment on the individual’s discernment, the small group leader fed information to Cathy about the threads and commonalities that had come up in their group. This was displayed on a flip chart.
All the groups then waited on the Lord again for discernment about that collected information. There was a lot of agreement about the areas that needed to be developed under the four main headings of:
- Relationships
- Setting up Dunamis Projects in new areas
- Raising awareness in churches, and publicity
- Further intercession /training courses
Praying for Other Identified Areas
Prior to the Fellowship meeting, the leadership team had identified 3 areas which should be a focus for discussion, discernment and prayer. Delegates were invited to attend a buzz group on one of the following areas:
1) Technology and Publicity 2) Prayer 3) Financial Resources.
After 30 minutes delegates could either stay with the same group or move into a different group. Data from the groups was collected up and will be discussed at the next leadership team meeting.
Finances
The Fellowship rejoiced in the fact that for the first time in a number of years the accounts are beginning to look healthy and are ‘on the up’. Chris James the Trustee Treasurer ‘flew in by skype’ to quickly talk us through the draft balance sheets.
He cautioned that we still have a way to go, and that the ultimate aim is to be a net giver into the ministry of PRMI worldwide and sow financial seeds in advance into projects and events.
The biggest thing to celebrate is that donations are beginning to rise as people obviously feel blessed and drawn in to the amazing truths taught from the various Dunamis activities.
Copies of the draft accounts can be obtained from Chris on finance@dunamis.org.uk Once audited, the full accounts will be available on the DFBI website.
International News and Growth
In introducing this item, Cindy role modeled an excellent presentation on what should be said at events to inspire and encourage delegates about the wider work of PRMI.
With all the exciting things that go on at an event it is all too easy to be parochial and forget to explain the bigger picture. Delegates need to be informed and inspired that they are in an event that is part of a global movement of teaching on the Holy Spirit.
This will encourage them that the teaching is valid; it will inspire them to pray for the work of PRMI in a more informed way; it may encourage them to serve and/or go on to further training; and it may prompt them to give funds more generously.
Delegates must be told that the upfront money that they pay only covers their own accommodation and should always be given an opportunity to contribute to the overhead costs or the wider ministries.
Brad gave an update on the work in China. They way in which the Lord has led PRMI to begin to ‘rain down’ flashdrives full of Dunamis teaching and a free download of the Holy Bible to Christian leaders in many parts of that vast country is inspirational and the fruits are already being seen.
We welcomed Walter Varvel and his wife Janet from the USA. Walter shared the work he is engaged with in Kazakstan; a land of hopelessness, corruption, and with 105 internal nationalities. The model is of a church supported mission.. A primary focus is with orphans.
Hearing from the Lord
There was a continual intention to listen to the Lord throughout a number of the sessions and He graciously prompted us in certain directions. However there was also a particular Kairos moment on Saturday morning during worship when various people felt the Lord saying or leading us to the following:
- Psalm 29
- An interpretation of a tongue: “It’s not enough, it’s not enough, you are not receiving enough. I am pouring out my blessings on you but you are not receiving it all because your hearts aren’t open. Open your hearts; because it’s not enough”
- Rev 5 v 9 “and they sang a new song”
- Isaiah 58 v 6-8 “Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen”
- Psalm 29
- An interpretation of a tongue: “It’s not enough, it’s not enough, you are not receiving enough. I am pouring out my blessings on you but you are not receiving it all because your hearts aren’t open. Open your hearts; because it’s not enough”
- Rev 5 v 9 “and they sang a new song”
- Isaiah 58 v 6-8 “Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen”
