and trying seasons that come along dur- ing a pastorate. I have held that posture because I have never been too dependent on the regional or general church for my success. What I expect from them is sim- ply the opportunity to minister, and that has been provided. In reality, the regional and general offices will share in both my successes and my failures. That is fair. Just as unity will transform a local congregation, family, or team, corporate agreement with the regional and general levels will create an atmosphere that is scriptural and appropriate for the super- natural to occur. It’s not that the regional and international offices are perfect. They will not get it right 100 percent of the time, just as the local church does not get it 100 percent right all the time. There is a danger of fracturing what I believe to be a rare New Testament struc- ture that the Church of God possesses. The fracturing can occur when we are too preoccupied with our local situation with- out regarding how our actions will affect the church at large.


Stronger As a Whole


By being plugged into my denomi- nation, I possess ministries, resources, and personnel that I could not have on my own. Our congregation’s association with the Church of God globally makes us much more powerful than if we were trying to go it alone. Therefore, I want to support my leaders. When they prosper, I prosper. When I prosper, they prosper.


Strife-Free Zone


If you visit Life Church, you will see posters and other reminders that we are a strife-free covenant community. The apostle Paul said, “The servant of the Lord must not strive” (2 Timothy 2:24). I remind our folks that the mental, emo- tional, and spiritual energy we spend striving with people accomplishes two things. First, it depletes resources that we should be using to advance the Kingdom. Second, responding to strife automatically puts us in a defensive posture, placing us under the issue or circumstance rather than having the mastery of the situation. The Church of God is a movement (something like a nation) with a destiny


set by God. We are not paupers or has- beens. God is blessing our efforts and anointing us for relevant ministry around the globe. I don’t worry about Father God supplying the needs of my church because it is His, and I trust His promises. Life Church is about much more than the daily challenges that come our way. We are called with a destiny laid out by God before the foundation of the world. My destiny is tied to the Church of God globally. I know that complaining about leadership is as corrosive to the Lord today as it was when Israel rebelled in the wilderness. Paul warns us not to “com- plain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer” (1 Corinthians 10:10 NKJV). I will not complain about nor find fault with my “Moses” nor sabotage our corporate future as Israel did. I trust God to speak to my leaders and get us to our destination. I am not traveling with slaves; I’m traveling with people of desti- ny whom God will provide for and direct with supernatural supply until then.


My ‘Fare’ Share


I intend to continue supporting this global network, carrying my share of the fare at the same level with which we have grown accustomed. It has not always been easy, but it is no different for my local church body to support the regional and general programs than it is for the families in my local church to support the efforts and work that we are trying to accomplish here at home. I think it is wise and the right thing to continue to send our tithe of tithes and support to the regional offices and international offices at the same rate even after the reallocation of funds has kicked in fully. We want our global church network and family to experience expansion and the realization of vision rather than shortfalls and ministry-curtailing setbacks. I remind Life Church that if they have a problem giving God 10 percent, they can settle the issue by giving Him 100 percent because they love Him and because His kindness spurs them to be generous. King Solomon wisely said, “Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper;


those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:24-25 NLT). The Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea come from the same water source: Mount Hermon. The Sea of Galilee is a conduit and a channel through which water flows. The Dead Sea also receives but has a very different disposition: it is a cistern rather than a conduit. Galilee has life and the Dead Sea does not. The Dead Sea is worldly-minded, but Galilee is Kingdom-minded.


New Testament Structure


The structure of the Church of God is as much like the New Testament structure as any denomination or movement that I know. Our international officials are oper- ating in an apostolic office and are grace gifts to the body of Christ. They are not politicians or employees. They have a care for churches around the globe, and their presence and ministries strengthen the local churches. They are spiritual fathers to us, pastors to our pastors. They have a role and authority over me and my local church that is delegated from above. To resist the powers that God has raised up is, in essence, to resist God. Just as our nation’s political lead- ers thought a stimulus package would assuage the ills of our economy but has not, neither will cutting back on the funds needed for our global minis- try make a real difference in the local church’s financial position. The average Church of God congregation will only see a small decrease in the amount of money that is sent in to the regional and international offices each month. Yet, the regional and international offices will see a tremendous difference in what they are now able to do. And it comes at a time when all of our ministries should be believing for expansion and advancement rather than maintenance and retreat. Why not pray about joining me in maintaining our support for the local and general offices at the current level? God knows each of our situations and He is faithful to His Word. He will continue to be our limitless source and supply.


Freddie Steel is the founding and lead pastor of Life Church of Chicagoland.


EVANGEL • SEP 2010 23


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