April Ministerial Meeting

Pastors and ministers gathered once again at God’s Tabernacle Fellowship, San Pedro Laguna for our monthly ministerial meeting, Sunday April 24 2008. The event was highlighted by discipleship training, doctrinal presentations and ministry planning.

Pastor Nonoy Togonon of the host church started the meeting with an exhortation on discipleship for budding workers, and those who are thinking about getting involved in the Lord’s vineyard. He emphasized on the cost of discipleship and the sacrifices it usually entails.

He also showed the great gap between today’s way of training men for the work and the way Jesus taught and trained His disciples. While today’s seminaries train disciples inside well provided and comfortable classrooms, Jesus led his men right in the field and taught the “rugged” way. This method greatly prepared them for the time when they will have to go by themselves in fulfilling Christ’s commission.

In the doctrinal presentation part of the meeting, the discussion largely focused, once again, in the subject of the Seven Thunders. The issue at hand was whether these thunders will truly be men when it is finally fulfilled. I, on the other hand, brought the most common suppositions within the circle of Message believers and how they could not possible be according to the very words of the prophet. (Perhaps I will post an article about this soon.)

The discussion also brought out the controversy on whether the Foolish Virgins will truly miss the Millennium and stand up before the White Throne Judgment, or be resurrected after the Great Tribulation to join the Christ and the Bride in the Millennial reign. Numerous Bible passages point to the latter as the more accurate understanding on the subject.

Before we parted plans were made for the Mid-Year Convention on May 24 and 25, which will be highlighted by the presence of Belgian minister Leonard Lifese. The event will also give opportunity to our young ministers to minister their gifts to the saints, while their pastors will act on the lesser works. The convention will be held at Jabez Campsite, Dasmarinas Cavite.