The reason you received this letter is because you are a leader, but not just a leader.  Moreso, you are a leader of leaders!  The body of Christ, needs leadership at unprecedented levels! 

Most of us trace our roots to revival movements in the early 1900’s (i. e. Azusa Street).  At that time those ministers experienced unprecedented harmony working together in an association.  However, what the Spirit put together, racism, dogmas and politics began a pattern of division that has left the body of Christ resembling a disfunctional family rather than the unity of the Spirit that the Scripture speaks about. 

For over 100 years, the children of the Azusa Street revival have worked in separate corners, theoretically toward the same goal.  We read each others newsletters, we even meet in places like the White House, but we don’t know each other,  We seldom (if ever) fellowship together and have no forum to work together toward the common goal of sharing Jesus with the whole world.  We are more divided today than when we were when the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit came to us 100 years ago!

For a moment, imagine what we might accomplish without the divisions!  As the lyrics of this song say,  “Sometimes its hard for me to understand why we pull away from each other so easily, even though were all walking the same road.  Yet, we build dividing walls between our brothers and ourselves,  I dont care what label you may wear, if you believe in Jesus You belong with me, and the bond we share… 

In the last 100 years ‘the children of Azusa Street’ have witnessed unprecedented growth (in spite or us).  However, I am not convinced that we have accomplished what the Spirit was directing us toward.  It is evident to me that most leaders are thrilled to have others join their group.  However, “Come join us” is simply not good enough to undo 100 years or more of damage!  As a movement we continue to be plagued with a divisive mentality.

The leaders who shape the Kingdom and the world cannot be mass-produced.  They are not found in herds, but are found like eagles; one at a time.   Such leaders cannot be birthed by a surragate system, they must be produced through fathers.  “Though you have 10,000 instructors in Christ, you have not many Fathers”.  These leaders are sharpened and polished one by one to fulfill their God-given calling.  We are looking for; proven leaders, anointed, gifted, not average; authentic, not superficial; relevant, not cliché.  Leaders with God given vision.

Apostolic people come ready to do something. They come asking, “What can I do? How can I be mentored?” They desire and need feedback and input in order to feel fulfilled and on target. I believe, too, that when the apostolic leader offers training for a wider variety of people than just those who are apostolic, he or she will reap the benefits of a local church body that has an apostolic flavoring on all the five-fold dimensions, which have been allowed to flourish under his or her leadership.

Regardless of the grace on a disciple’s life, apostolic leaders must transfer a mission-mindedness. The Apostle Peter said, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble” (2 Peter 1:10). The apostolic leader must be strategic in specifying and mobilizing the different arms and giftings of the people.

In 2004 at the European Gathering of Eagles I penned these words, “I have a dream that one day the sleeping giant that we call the Church of the Living God would shake itself, wake up and unite.  I have a dream that one day the strength of the entire body of Christ would be felt as the true force that it is in the earth.”

So, in 2008, I would like your help in launching the Christian Leadership Roundtable (CLR).  Our purpose is simple.  CLR is an association of leadership minded fathers training leaders around the world to be led more by Jesus, lead more like Jesus and lead more to Jesus.  We believe in "Kingdom seeking, not empire building”.  What we want to create is a return to the concept of an association.  A place where leaders can work together toward common goals and work around divisions.  Instead of ‘Come join us” we are saying ‘can we join you?’  Let’s work together in 2008!

The reason for the round table is so that there is no head.  Jesus Christ is our head.  There will be no titles other than those you bring with you.  This is not another ministerial group (there are plenty of those already).  This is an association.  You will represent that family of leaders that God has entrusted to your care.  As leaders we will work together to do more for Jesus and to find ways to use our diversity to bringing greater unity to the body of Christ.  Someone recently asked me, “What can we hope to accomplish with such an association?”  When I heard the question, I thought of God asking Elijah “Can these bones live again?”  The answer, “THOU KNOWEST”.  Only the Lord Jesus really knows what could be accomplished by a group of qualified leaders working together to bring His body into greater harmony.  Let’s not say it can’t be done.  Rather, tell me how we can do it!  Let’s dream together!  How can we work together?

Our first step is for you to respond.  Let’s open up some dialogue.  Tell me what I can do to help your ministry.  Email me at bw@icof.net  Write me at 1598 Gills Ridge Road, Bedford, KY 40006 or call me on my mobile phone: 502-523-4457 or office 502-220-3672.  Let’s chat!

Together,

Bernie