February Leader’s Letter

We recently hosted a spiritual renewal weekend here in Harpenden and an unexpected guest showed up. He is a man who has spoken prophetically to leaders for many decades and, though he is physically weak and in his 80s, God uses him as much as ever. He took one look at me and exclaimed, “So, YWAM is getting fire back—and so are you!”

That sort of confirmation is coming my way very regularly these days. I don’t always feel like I am fiery and some days I struggle to see that there is progress in YWAM, but we are getting there! By God’s grace we have, as Tom Bloomer and others prophesied, “Crossed the Jordan”.

We have been referring to Joshua, chapter 5, quite a lot and will continue to do so because it sets the scene for our monthly prayer and fasting. As you read it, you will see that God commanded Israel to circumcise themselves as His first priority after crossing the river. Circumcision was a physical symbol of the fact that God had “set apart” the Israelites for Himself. That phrase means the same thing as being holy or being sanctified.

So, what are God’s priorities for sanctification in YWAM?

There are a few subjects under that heading and we will be examining them (and letting them examine us!) during our monthly prayer days. But the first one is unity, especially unity with and between leaders. I believe the breakdown of unity between leaders is an important reason why we need restoration. The story of YWAM is full of excitement and good fruit, but it also has some sad chapters and this is one of them.

Perhaps I can best explain it by telling you about my own failure in this area. In a GLT meeting about eight years ago I brought up a subject that I thought was important. I felt we needed more integrity in a certain area. As I look back, I realize that I was doing so with an attitude of self-righteousness, but I was blind to that at the time. After a bit of discussion, Loren made some comments which I took to be directed at me. I felt that he was questioning my motives and I was deeply offended.

I held on to that offense for quite along time and decided to distance myself from Loren; so I acted out of independence and a feeling of moral superiority. Looking back, I now realize that my sinful, judgmental attitude opened the door to many troubles that I am still working to unravel. We certainly “reap what we sow”!

After nearly two years Loren, who was unaware of my bad attitude, was staying with Marti and me for a couple of days and I asked if the two of us could talk privately. My conscience had been bothering me and I wanted to talk about that meeting when I had taken offense. When I recounted my memory of what had happened, his eyes filled with tears and he very humbly asked for my forgiveness.

I was actually expecting a debate but his humility completely disarmed me and I suddenly saw that I had been foolish and childish. I accepted his apology and asked for his forgiveness too and we were reconciled. That was a vital step of realignment for me.

John Dawson, our International President has been speaking about realignment for the past 5 years or more. Iain Muir, our International Director, has also worked tirelessly along with John and myself to bring reconciliation between leaders and to promote realignment with our values and vision. If we are going to be all that God has called us to be, both as individuals and as a movement, we must do all we can to live in harmony with one another and especially with our leaders.

I now realize that my offense and independence from Loren provided the enemy a strong foothold in my life and my ministry. (See Ephesians 4:26,27 as an example and note the article that accompanies this letter.) Much damage was done in those two years as strife and offense spread throughout my areas of responsibility.

In the Gospel of John, chapters 13 – 17 Jesus emphasizes again and again that our primary witness is our love for one another and that He and His Father will come and make their home with those who love one another and love Him. We simply cannot afford to ignore disunity! It is quite common for missionaries to focus on the Great Commission even though their relationships with one another might be broken. We cannot do that!

During the course of this, our second day of prayer together, let’s ask God to show us any broken or strained relationships. Then, let’s take the initiative and forgive those against whom we have been angry or bitter or hurt.

When we have forgiven, it is also important to ask God to forgive us for our bad attitude. Jesus never took offense at anyone and always forgave, even as he hung on the cross and watched the soldiers divide up his clothes and hurl curses at him. His power is in me and you and we can also forgive, even the greatest offense.

Lynn Green, International Chairman, YWAM

Read also:

The Power of Forgiveness: Testimony by Steve Good