A Dynamic New Discovery
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Jack Hayford
God brought me to a dynamic discovery. I knew I still needed to keep a high priority on the men, and that I therefore – as senior pastor – needed to maintain a high profile in that arena of ministry. I also felt the need for younger men to spearhead the month-to-month gatherings. “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.” Deuteronomy 16:16 |
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For some reason, God liked the idea of a THREE-TIMES-A-YEAR pattern for meeting ALL THE MEN (see also Exod 34:23 and Exod 23:17). |
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He issued a call that was intended to bring them all together at the centre of the people’s worship life (Jerusalem, for them). |
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He set the times in relationship to seasons that focused His redemptive activity, which also related to their work setting (the second two feasts being agriculturally-oriented). |
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He expected their coming to “cost something”, (not only in their making the trip to Jerusalem, but also in bringing a gift). |
I believe there was something of a spiritual principle here. I have called the men to all come together at the church, “presenting yourself as an offering to the Lord” for one full evening. The results have been dramatic and the blessing… confirming. Extract from “Pastors of Promise” p240-241 1997 This is one way that a pastor can gather all the men of the church and call them out to support the vision for the men in the church. It can also be a time of celebration, a teaching moment about men’s specific issues, or a time to launch a new initiative. PK |
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