Setting the Table - RTF Training Day

But the advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26

It is interesting to me how the seasons and cycles of life affect us spiritually, especially our sense of dependence upon God. As a younger man contemplating God’s call to become more involved in ministry, I carried with me a deep sense of inadequacy regarding my own ability to meet the depth and variety of needs represented by the people I knew. When involved in ministry I prayed, studied God’s Word and looked for Him to act in situations where humanly speaking there was no hope. I didn’t know it at the time but it was a great place to be.

Then it was off to Bible school and seminary where I received extensive training in studying the Scriptures and developing skills for ministry, such as preaching, teaching, counseling and conducting weddings, funerals and baptisms. Six years, and 2 degrees later, I still had a sense that if God didn’t move nothing of spiritual significance would happen. But I also knew that I had been called, trained and equipped in the ways and purposes of God. I now had some ability and the temptation was to trust in those abilities to study, craft a sermon, win souls, disciple people and administrate the affairs of the church. I was no longer as desperate as I once had been.

In my first call, it was time to be released and watch God change many lives in the congregation I had been called to serve. Six months later, after giving the congregation all that I had to give, I sat before the church council, desperate and broken, and asked them to re-affirm my call as their pastor. There had been no significant change or growth, only criticism, conflict and overwhelming human needs left unfulfilled. Once again, I didn’t know it but it was a great place to be.

I am now 23 years beyond this experience but find I am still living the tension becoming as well trained, skilled and competent as I can become, humanly speaking, and yet retaining that sense of being desperate for God to move in my life and the lives of others. I have more knowledge, training and experience than any other time in my life yet there is always this underlying truth that if people are going to find healing it is because Jesus heals them. And if they are going to find freedom is because Jesus sets them free. It is the paradox of Christian ministry that we are to do everything we can to create the best environment for the Holy Spirit to speak, guide and empower all that we do.

In keeping with this truth, we are excited about this year’s RTF training day. Bob and and Cheria were the directors of the RTF International Training Center in Hendersonville, NC for the last 9 years. In this capacity, they spent thousands of hours training RTF ministers and trainers, accumulating unique insight into the application of RTF’s integrated approach to healing and deliverance. They will be sharing with us some training insights that are completely new others that take existing teaching and apply it new ways. Yet, it is always done with the understanding that you ask the Holy Spirit first for His insight and guidance. Our goal is to become seasoned ministers always operating in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our sense of desperation, or dependence upon God, is a really a great gift because it strips us of our self-sufficiency and makes us aware of our dependence upon God’s grace in new ways. It also brings clarity about our ministry responsibilities, and allows God to do what only He can do. However, our desperation must not be allowed to turn to complacency, allowing us to believe that it then doesn’t matter what we know or do. It is extremely important that we continue to grow and mature as RTF ministers.

I hope you will take advantage of this unique training opportunity with Bob and Cheria. I know you won’t regret it.

You can find more information and register by clicking here. Any questions feel free to contact me at bruce@godslivingstones.org or call me at 402 290 3480.