This is a very important question for us to get, because at the core of the Lord’s heart, intention, and very purpose for coming to earth as God, was so that you, me, and all people ever or will be born, have the opportunity to life, live free and remain in a place of Freedom.
Isaiah 61: 1 declares “The Spirit of the LORD God has taken control of me! The LORD has chosen and sent me to tell the oppressed the good news, to heal the brokenhearted, and to announce freedom for prisoners and captives” and again in Psalm 68:18 “You have led captivity captive”
God’s heart is RELATIONSHIP! His heartbeat is RELATIONSHIP, made up of Him and you, Him and me, ‘both of us having a voice to talk and listen to each other’, otherwise it would be in a dictatorship. That is not ever God’s heart or intent for your relationship together.
Instead His original plan and design for us was A GIFT, of Himself, and Gift of FREE WILL. Free will means we have the ability and right to choose Him, His Ways, His Destiny and His Plan for our lives. In essence we have the right to say YES to all He is and has for us.
This RELATIONSHIP is exactly what He desired and had in the beginning in the Garden of Eden, with Adam and Eve. They had complete oneness and intimacy as they walked and talked freely with Him each and every day until that moment when all changed and intimacy was lost. We call it the fall of mankind and our RELATIONSHIP with Heavenly Father and Trinity was lost and broken.
What was God to do? He desperately wanted to re-establish the RELATIONSHIP, and enable the Israelite people to be FREE again. So He showed up with a plan and idea, but because they had the GIFT of Free will, unfortunately they chose not to want and receive Him.
Let’s read in Exodus 20:18-26 titled The People are Afraid of God’s Presence
“Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”
And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was“.
The Law of the Altar
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘You have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. You shall not make anything to be with Me—gods of silver or gods of gold you shall not make for yourselves. An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you. And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it. Nor shall you go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.”
Reading these verses and the WHY questions: Why were they not free? and Why didn’t they see themselves as free?
Here at Encounter Ministries we believe we are to lead anyone, thing or situation from the Lord’s heart of free will. This means we are in a space that allows for the continuous invitation to be on offer to live free and from the Lord’s heart.
So back to our original question – How do we LEAD FREE People? And let’s add to the end… The way the Lord does!
1. We GIVE THEM ROOM!
The Lord does this with us, He waits patiently giving us room and time that is needed for our heart to be ready to receive Him. We will need to be patient and wait on the Lord to hear what He is saying in each situation. Are we to pray, seek, or contend for the people the Lord had invited you to lead? Waiting on the Lord is essential for this is what is needed to see true heart change and transformation come, and to know what God is saying. Roman 5:4 “It is through His kindness that it leads to repentance”.
Go on, Let them SHINE and give them OPPORTUNITIES to shine! Jesus did this! He was always willing to release His anointing on others and to send them out with minimal instruction and complete trust in the God seed in them, would shine through. (Mathew 10:5)
2. We MAKE THEM LOOK GOOD!
He is not afraid of this going to our heads, because He knows our hearts, and He can work through this. We see this when the Disciples wanted to call down fire on a village in Luke 9:54 “When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?”Interestingly Jesus did not tell them off, or throw them out of His ministry. Instead He redirected their enthusiasm back to the Father’s plan for them and Him. He came alongside them using redirection and truth.
3. We ENCOURAGE THEM (Pass On Our Courage)
Be their biggest fan! We see this when the Disciples returned from their mission trip. Jesus modelled listening, commending and encouragement to them.
Luke 9:10 “When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then he slipped quietly away with them toward the town of Bethsaida” and even the seventy-two he did the same in Luke 10:17 “When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”
We EQUIP, PROVIDE and TEACH all the Father has shown and revealed to us, and in doing so we are a witness to Him and of Him, in our lives.
4. We EQUIP them! Jesus did this by allowing them to see Him in many unusual situations with different people. By the way, being a witness is the best way to equip your leaders and people!
5. We PROVIDE for the journey! Start where they are at with what they have! Don’t expect or assume! They may have a fish, and a vision of holding a net. REMEMBER what we know and can do took time for us to learn. Don’t gossip! I’ve noticed quite a few leaders doing this and it’s from a place of frustration that their people are not doing things properly. But it’s actually that these leaders have not given the people the reins to lead, or the freedom with blessing to be themselves in the position. Usually they hold back because of fear that either they or their ministry will look bad or suffer. Jesus witnessed to us His Way to TOTALLY HAND OVER ALL CONTROL in FULL TRUST and BELIEF in HIS DISCIPLES.
6. We TEACH THEM! Jesus taught in word and action and we teach by learning and trying it out. Don’t be afraid of mess or the new. As teaching in the bible was by witness. Point here please remember when they are going through any of the steps to being FREE, don’t step in and take over from them because of your own unrest, but rather come alongside them in support. The rule is unless it is a life or death moment don’t step in, as doing so, it can stop them experiencing or encountering the Father. For example, I have the privilege of leading monthly ‘Chapter of Full Gospel Business Men’s meetings in our local area. A couple of years ago the Lord challenged me to find those ones who are hidden, and encourage them to encounter Him, through providing a platform for them to share what God’s put on their heart. Over the past two years I can think of maybe two men who didn’t breakdown in the middle of their sharing. Note that I have only felt once to intercede and it was by placing a supportive hand on a man’s shoulder without any words. Some have burst into tears and after the tears finished they have got back up and finished their sharing. What happened was they were having an incredible moment, an Encounter with God. I’ve heard from countless men who have left these meetings touched. I believe by valuing the speaker and waiting for him to speak, they were healed and touched by His love and in turn became a witness to His love.
7. We Teach on His Promises for their life and the ways you have learnt to Protect yourself when leading people in your walk with Him. In the gospels you will see how Jesus witnessed this for us. He withdrew from the crowd or slipped away from His Disciples to go to the mountain to pray. Don’t forget to withdraw and pray!
8. We Direct them To the Lord/ Father and then back off. Jesus’s Ministry was based on revealing the Father to His Disciples and to others. He demonstrated and knew with confident ability how to reveal through, witness and action, who the Father really was. He was not scared to withdraw and eventually leave, so His relationship could grow and strengthen. So much so He told his Disciples it was a MUST He LEFT for without this happening they could not truely BECOME ALL FATHER CREATED THEM TO BE. One of the biggest downfalls in leading is to become dependent of the people you are leading. If not dealt with it will destroy their walk and your own. When I start walking or leading someone, I say in the beginning I will be with you closer than skin, but from the first day, I will be starting to walk backwards. What I mean is I value them so much, that I will feed them the first day with fish, but by the second day I will have the fishing pole in their hand and be encouraging them to wind it in themselves.
The other night I was asked who we are accountable to, this thought came into my mind. Is it possible for someone to be in a place or church that has accountability and not do it? Yes, because ACCOUNTABILITY NEEDS TRANSPARENCY! As we allow ourselves to be VULNERABLE, then we will see both the increase and dramatic changes in our lives, that only come from a PLACE of TRUST and RELATIONSHIP!
The bible says “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. For as we allow people to be free and lead with God’s Perspective or God’s eyes, they will in turn build the Kingdom of God. We will establish a culture of honour that values people for who they are, one that continually directs, identifies, encourages and calls out the authentic person within, not the rough outside that can present in protection.
Now please hear me, I am not saying there aren’t times as leaders when we’re called to correct, but these times are few and far between. As a leader there are THREE WAYS we like Jesus, have the responsibility to lead from – In front, Beside and Behind.
LEADING IN FRONT is a position only for a few occasions, where one of decision must be led by God and not of self or there will be a great cost to relationship, life and ministry.
LEADING BESIDE or BEHIND needs to be our most common way of leading and our go to, if we want to lead free people. Beside means you are supporting, encouraging and walking with leaders or people you lead. Behind means you are watching from a distance, cheering and encouraging them, open for questions but allowing people to discover and learn on the journey. Both positions require open hands so honour and freedom can come into individual’s lives.
I remember when I received one of the most impacting messages ever, and it came in a counselling/ teaching session of one of my prodigy’s. This man had a wonderful heart after God and felt He was being called to be a minister. He asked me what he should do first? Together we inquired of the Lord and He said:
Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, and start implementing each one of these ways to love in your relationship with your wife.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honour. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offence. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up”
Next read Galatians 5:22-23, and implement these one fruit of the spirit at a time into your relationship with your children
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and Strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless”.
God followed up saying the first will teach you how to be the best HUSBAND you can be, and the second will teach you how to be the best FATHER you can be. Then you will have all you need to be the best minister you can be. I love how much I learn as I am leading others through His amazing revelation. Thank you Jesus.
Challenge Time: Grab your journal, and some space with the Lord, record all He says to you.
1. Begin in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 read it and implement each one of these ways to love in relationship with your spouse. Note if you are single for your future spouse or so you can be a witness of Jesus to the ones you lead.
2. Go to Galatians 5:22-23 and implement a Fruit of the Spirit one at a time into your relationship with your children. Note if you have don’t have any children then do it to His children you lead, so you can be a witness of our Father.
3. Ask the Lord to strengthen you for the path ahead as you lead His children into a Place of Freedom.
4. Ask the Lord for a picture of who each of the leaders or people you lead are in His eyes. Maybe say a prayer like Father show me how I see ………….(person’s name) write down what He shows you. Then Father God how do you see ……………(person’s name ) write all He shows you.
5. CHOICE TIME: Will you now see the people you lead as God does? Will you honour the Lord for all He has shown you? Will you put aside the way you saw them and pick up His true revelation instead?
6. PRAYER TIME: Father God I lay down all my thoughts, perspectives, understanding and ways I see ……………( name of person or leader) and I choose instead to see them as you see them and created them to be and become. I agree with You to help, provide, love, teach and encourage ……………(the name of the person ) Thank you Jesus Amen. Now do the same with all of the people you lead step 4-5.
7. Now find space away from all distractions so you can be present with each leader or person you lead. Share what the Lord has revealed to you of who they are. Let them know your promise and commitment to the Lord, that you will co labour with Him, to provide, love, teach and encourage them so that they can become all He has created them to be and do.
8. Ask the Lord what’s the next step is for each person, share and do what He says.
9. Ask the Lord for Wisdom, Revelation and Protection to lead in this new way. Maybe a prayer like “Father today I lay down my old ways of leading and instead pick up Your way of leading in FREEDOM. Help me Lord to be a witness of You in the role as a leader Amen.
10. Give thanks to the Lord for the new revelation, wisdom, understanding, knowledge and Way He has shown you to lead His children into freedom.
Father we thank you for truth that You want your leaders to become Authentic in Your ways and with Your vision. That You are helping lead Your children lead others into greater freedom and truth, as your Word declares “you shall know the truth and the truth set you free”We want to be free and remain free. Thank you Jesus. Amen
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate Pastors/ Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
