It was a bright sunny Sunday in the upper 70’s by the time Jordan Hogan turned left into the crowed parking lot of The First Truthful Church. He’d been up late the night before with a very small group of dedicated soldiers of the cross as they prayed the night away.
Over the last 6 months, this zealous team had seen the answers to their begging and beseeching the Lord Christ with many, many divine miracles. So, being late to this service was fully acceptable as the Holy Spirit encouraged his heart.
Jordan, being single although a father of two, was able to move quickly and grabbed his Bible by the carrying strap as he bolted out of his well worn van toward the large double doors of the church building. I sure hope they’re waiting for me, he thought.
And they were. Both Nathan and Sarah Narrowroad were positioned just inside the doors as promised, smiling and waving their arms as Jordan swiftly moved past the greeters and stuffed a bulletin into the back pocket of his Dockers.
“Hey, brother,” shouted Nathan, as he gave Jordan the big bear hug of fellowship. Jordan instantly felt connected in the Spirit with his new friend.
Nathan was a large man who he had recently met with his wife, Sarah, while serving the Lord at a mercy ministry called Helping Hands. They all had a huge heart for this shelter that provided temporary housing, food, life skills education, and job training for those marginalized souls caught in the downward spiral of life. You know, the battered single mom with kids, the folks who lost both their house and job, the newly released prisoner trying to make a real go of it, and on it goes.
“It sure is good to see you all today,” replied Jordan. He stepped over to Sarah to give her one of the ‘safe hugs’ from a man to a woman.
“Boy, Sarah, I’m glad you met me here for my first visit, because I really hate being by myself in these places and trying to meet and talk to people I don’t know.” Jordan continued, “You know, especially those Christian types that smile at you, shake your hand limply, but really seem more interested in avoiding you.”
“Oh, Jordan,” chuckled Sarah, “don’t you worry even a bit! We’ve really grown up a lot here in this church in the last year since we decided to be honest about the Bible, it’s claims on our lives, and the words of Jesus. God’s abundant grace is always the key for us to be holy like Him and fruitful. We pray for more and more!”
Just then, a middle age lady approached them as they were beginning to walk towards the meeting hall. It was obvious she knew Nathan and Sarah and wanted to meet Jordan.
“Jordan,” said Nathan, “I’d like to introduce you to my Merciful. And Merciful, this is my good friend and brother in the Lord, Jordan Hogan.”
Merciful joyfully shook Jordan’s extended hand, as he quizzically looked back and forth between his hosts and this lady. What an unusual name, he pondered. And he was always a proactive type, so his curiously got the best of him.
“Merciful, that’s an unusual name. Is it a family name or something like that?”
“Oh no, Jordan,” she replied sincerely with no hint of surprise. “Visitors ask us these types of questions all the time, so we’re not taken back at all. My name is Mary. But my spiritual gift is mercy, so in keeping with our tradition and being honest with everyone in our body, I’m called Merciful Mary.”
Immediately, three new people joined this circle to meet Jordan. The introductions continued.
“Jordan,” said Sarah, “this is Prophet Paul, Evangelist Evan, and Administrator Al.”
A widening smile spread over Jordan’s face that he was trying desperately to hide. “It’s my pleasure, saints, to meet you all,” as handshakes went all around. What is going on here, he thought. They all invited him to sit with them. He agreed.
As the entourage moved closer to the meeting hall doorway, more members of Christ’s body flocked to greet Jordan. Nathan and Sarah had mentioned his visit and these dear ones were eager to meet the man who they’d heard so much about.
By now, Jordan, knew the routine. “It’s a blessing to be with such a welcoming group! What might your names be?”
“I’m Discerner Denise.” Hand shake.
“Jordan, I’m Apostle Antonio.” Bear hug of fellowship.
“Good to finally meet you, brother Jordan. I’m Giver Gordon.”
There was a sort of shy man close by who was watching the introductions. Jordan knew he’d have to approach him first. “And you, sir?”
“Oh, yes,” he stammered. But no name came forth. Sarah urged him on.
“Well,” he resumed, “my name is Miracle….Miracle…Miracle Mark.” He got it out!
Jordan was still not clear why these dear people were using these terms. Very strange, indeed. But Miracle Mary had indicated it had something to do with honesty in the body. He was about to get his answer.
“Hi there.” A warm, welcoming, inviting smile and voice was radiating from an older man in a frumpy suit who approached the circle of Christian friends. “I wanted to really meet you, Jordan, and hopefully have lunch with you. Nathan and Sarah have, well, told us often of your love for our Savior and His people. And how you pour out your life into them selflessly in sacrificial service. And I feel like I know your two children already too, Ashley and Seth, who have served the Lord with passion in their street ministry. Let’s see, Ashley is 10 and Seth is 14, right?”
Jordan was stunned. His mouth was open, he was sure. How did this man know his kids names and ages?
The man introduced himself. “I’m Pastor Peter.”
Silence.
Jordan recovered in a few seconds. He has never met a Senior Pastor with such a touch. Most were so far removed from the deep human interaction of the Spirit, since they were more like a modern day CEO of a corporation. “Oh, hi. So you’re preaching today?”
“Never!” laughed Pastor Peter. “I’m a shepherd, a true pastor, and not a teacher or orator. My gifting is shepherding the body of Jesus. I can teach a bit, and I guess I’m considered an elder, but I’m much more behind the scenes loving the Lord’s people, you know.”
The dots were beginning to connect. “Then,” inquired Jordan of the group,” who is preaching today?”
Joyous and welcoming laughter emerged all around the circle as these saints knowingly pointed through the hallway door to the stage upfront. A well dressed man with a confident air, but tired demeanor, was at the clear glass lectern doing what appeared to be his final speech preparation.
Nathan replied, “That’s Teacher Tom, Jordan. He’s our Senior Teacher here. He teaches every Sunday and Wednesday and conference and funeral and baptism and wedding and visitation and counseling and men’s meeting and regional meeting.”
“We found that being honest is pleasing to Jesus,” Nathan continued. “As soon as we found out through another loving group of simple believers that we’re not to call anyone by a special, exclusive title, we decided as a body to call all of us by our proper titles. We used to call Teacher Tom by his other wrong title, Pastor Tom, but he’s not a pastor at all. Has no interest in it in the traditional sense of the gifting. But, oh, what a teacher. Katy Bar The Door when he gets going!”
Jordan swallowed hard, and slowly shook his head as all this sunk in. Amazing. I’ve never seen such an honest, down to earth, listen to others in the body, open to obey, loving and caring group of saints. The Spirit was speaking to him to proclaim going all the way. This is going to be hard to say to them, he thought. But maybe not. Maybe they’ll listen.
“Brothers and sisters, I know the service is going to start soon. But I think the Holy Spirit is saying that the Father is pleased you’ve begun the new path of honesty with spiritual gifts. But….”
Every eye was on him. They were open, he noticed. There was no apparent pride, no anger, only reception. Help me Lord, Jordan prayed silently.
“Jesus proclaimed that only He was the head of His body. No one called Paul or even Moses by a title. As a matter of fact, Paul admonished the carnal Corinthians for placing titles on any saints that assembled. He called it fleshy behavior, or sin. There’s only one Body and one Spirit. Jesus is the Head through the eternal decree of the Father. Although we have many leaders in God’s body, only One has a title…and we all know Who that is! Please just use brother or sister or brethren since there’s no Jew or Greek or male or female. Amen?”
The crowd of saints was silent for a few seconds. Then Merciful Mary spoke.
“Brother Jordan, you’re a kind, courageous soldier to proclaim the honest truth as you see it. You’re also a real Berean just like the book of Acts! And we’d do well to seek God to see if this is our next step in holiness to please the Father. We’ve come so far already as His body here. Will you come back next week and join us so we can gain more from your knowledge of what the Spirit has taught you? Thank you, again!”
More joyous laughter all around. Hugs, and slaps on the back. Many shakes of Jordan’s hand. More invites for lunch, and other’s wishing to join him and his children in Helping Hands and the street ministry. Jordan was so full of joy, but he was still cautious in his heart. Too many burn outs in the past, you know.
They all moved through the door to their seats as Teacher Tom took his official place in the chair at the front of the hall. The music was swelling, and the Power Point slides were beginning to make their mark.
Oh by the way, before he left The First Truthful Church that fateful sunny Sunday morning, he met a few other eager souls who wanted to meet the man that Nathan and Sarah had described as a man who was walking worthy.
Their names?
Tongues Teresa.
Interpreter Ina.
Healer Hannah.
Distinguisher Dan.
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Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
Your friend and brother in fighting the good fight,
Marc
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Saints, we’re one day closer to Home, and Him! Love Him wholeheartedly!
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Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
Marc White, Director, Walk Worthy Ministries, www.WalkWorthy.org
leslie says
well shame on me because I almost quit reading this halfway through! the folk’s titles were just too much but i’m so glad I stuck with it, praise the Lord! good good word aptly spoken. thank you for sharing this.
jesusislord says
So sister Leslie – do you suggest I change the descriptive names that were created for effect? 🙂 Maybe I should? or are they good to go in your opinion?
Brother Marc