INTRODUCTION

During January, I spoke at the annual Leadership Summit at FaithWorld Church, pastored by Daniel and Jennifer Cruz in inner city Chicago, Illinois (see report below). This multicultural church is reaching around 1,000 people, the average age around 25! Needless to say, I was right in my element and spoke six times over the weekend.

 

A TIME OF WAR

During one of the sessions, I made this statement, "There are many people I would go to lunch with, but not many I would go to war with!" Apparently these words had a great impact on everyone there. I think people everywhere are beginning to intuitively become aware that we are entering into a season during 2011 where we will be transitioning into a time of war!

 

My current and future ministry focus, through GenNet is to prepare the church, and especially its young people, to be able to stand on the frontline of the battles ahead. Leaders need to lead by example, so I need to be on the frontline, too!

 

THE BRUNT OF THE BATTLE

The frontline takes the brunt of the battle and therefore the most casualties. If I am in the heat of battle, my life depends on the soldier on my left and the one on my right. If that's the case, I need to know that they will stand their ground, even when the person on the other side of them may get their head blown off! It takes the utmost of courage to stay put under circumstances like that!

 

FAIR WEATHER FRIENDS

Most of us could testify that we have no shortage of fair weather friends; those who are there in the good times but sadly absent when things get tough. Let me paraphrase a well known phrase, "when the going gets tough, the weak are going, going, gone!"

 

Soldiers of Christ are called to defend and advance the frontline of His Kingdom! The currency of that Kingdom is covenantal relationships, which if sincere and genuine, help you to know who you can go to lunch with and who you can go to war with!