San Diego, CA 2006: Through patience and genuineness, connecting even with a pigeon can lead to trust and advancement (as this pigeon welcomes itself into a hotel room for snacks). Ministering leaders must know their flocks while still longing to know them better.
Excerpts from Trent’s historical letters candidly and anonymously offer flavors and insights from real-time and real-life origins. Hop aboard these instructions and confessions in mid-stream, below, and see if they help you, too. This Letter provides a brief insight into a fledgling ministry breaking from its shell.
From Trent Ling:
Hello All,
Well I am a real wretch–I am constantly amazed at the thoughts and attitudes that go through my head and my heart (e.g. flashing back to old days of 20 years ago and regretting that I didn’t take full advantage of my opportunities to sin and the desires of my sinful nature; and today, wanting to mutilate myself–gee, what’s the deal???). There should be more on this on Sunday, which may help some of you as well. I do expect some incredible days ahead. I do not know how or when, but great things are in store. I once again encourage you to be open with someone (if not everyone). The light is truly what to trust in (John 12:36).
Let me be specific with some of what I want to say:
Siauw & wives–step up and help your husbands more and more–they desperately need it.
Bill, go to the Churches and see what you get to see on the other side of living that conviction which is about to enter its ninth year, and let me hear from your humility like I used to hear in the days of your youth.
Reid, do not shrink back; risk cloud 9 and move to cloud 10.
Susan, keep it going and make sure you’re getting time with God alone to get your needs met.
Mary, I look forward to getting with you and hearing your heart.
Tom, moving back home–baaaaddd, staying in Orlando and growing as a disciple–goooddd, moving in with family, here–priceless!!!
Linda, how are you doing in that house so far away and so draining?? Let us know what has to happen for you to serve God with all you have.
Erica, keep it up, your openness on everything should convict us all, all the time!!
All, please let me know what are the needs of the ministry. I am sure I do not know.
Love you all
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After reading what Melvin has written, what more is needed for this posting? Melvin and Trent are so correct, the Light and Openness are the keys to surviving as a disciple. Let’s be honest, when someone decides to ‘handle things on their own’ rather than confessing or getting counsel/advice; it fails almost 100% of the time. Sorry, but those are the numbers I’ve personally seen put up on the board after fourteen years. Unfortunately, in and out of the ministry, John 3:20 seems to be quite prevalent in everyone’s life. Parents expect and demand that their children be honest and forthcoming and yet a great majority of those parents live in a black hole themselves… Come on People!! I’ve been there…
Wow! Seasons changed! This email brings back a lot of memories of how we used to try to hold everyone by the hand! Disciples got too sensitive, spiritually became fat and lazy; very rarely we could address each other without someone being hurt and mad. God didn’t put up with that, he demanded the ministry to grow up! As a grown up, I think the ministry need to have all the body parts work toward the same goal – the workers are few and the harvest is plentiful. I so love our gathering last Saturday night… it shows how the ministry is maturing 🙂
I know the current need of this ministry right now is to have a leader. Love you
It is very interesting to see letters from the Ministry’s archive. This is because it shows me the openness, transparency, and need to be in the light that has always been taught here. Something that really impacted me when I started coming to this ministry was how real and genuine issues, situations, and topics were addressed openly and how this would result in a delivery, advice, rebuke, or encouragement of anyone who needed it. This was and has been a clear contrast to my religious/denomination-hopping days where no one was open and the bruises, sores, and open wounds were NEVER cleaned or bandaged (Isaiah 1:6). We have something beautiful and powerful on our hands! This is how the true Body of Christ functions! Thank you, Lord!