A Spiritual Safe Place

Prophetic Accountability

Prophetic Body

The five-fold ministry governance model of Ephesians 4:11-15 has the purpose of creating a five-fold body of believers. While there are recognized prophets (1 Corinthians 12:29), and people who have received a gift of prophecy, the ability to hear from the Lord for your own benefit and speak as utterances of God (1 Peter 4:11). New Testament prophecy in this latter form is the norm for believers (Acts 2:17) and is a key to being a safe place spiritually.

Accountability

Believers interact with the supernatural hidden spiritual world through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) and have an impact on themselves and others through His power. While we are not “mere mortals” we are still mortal and therefore know in part and prophecy in part (1 Corinthians 13:8). That implies that prophecy should be given with an attitude of humility and received with wisdom. We do not obey prophetic direction without thinking but are to consider everything carefully (1 Thessalonians 5:20, 21) and told to “test every spirit” (1 John 4:1).

While Old Testament prophets operated independent of the authority structure, prophecy in the New Testament operates within the authority structure of the body. Five-fold ministries are not five independent ministries, but like five fingers on one hand respects the shared responsibility of the other ministries. In particular, the prophet delivers the message given, but the shepherd leaders are accountable for the soul of the individual and the well-being of the church as a whole. (Hebrews 13:17)

Accountability protects the community of believers, the prophet, and the integrity of prophecy, and the church.

Policies and Guidelines

1. All prophecy will be subject to careful examination, considered application and correction if necessary. That is the responsibility of the pastor and the eldership in consultation with other prophets present. (1 Corinthians 14:29)
2. Prophecy is received from trusted sources. As a guideline we expect a person to be a part of our local church for 6 months before giving words to others. Visiting prophetic people with a relationship of trust may be an exception.
3. Prophecy in general should be encouraging, edifying or exhort to love and good works, not critical, condemning, pointing out problems without a solution. (1 Corinthians 14:3)
4. Personal prophecy as a guideline should be private, not public and with the pastor or elder present. That provides the protection of someone who can coach or shepherd the recipient.
5. Personal prophecy received outside of the local church setting, such as: in small groups, other churches should be shared with the pastor or an elder. Internet prophecy should be avoided altogether.
6. Directive prophecy will receive extra scrutiny and should only be acted on when confirmed by other forms of confirmation. That would include personal conviction, endorsement from church leadership, and alignment of practical circumstances. The individual recipient is accountable for their own actions.
7. General prophecy is judged based on: content consistent with biblical principles, the “witness of the Spirit” discerned by church leadership, and the body itself. A prophetic body is equipped to discern and judge the prophetic word. Testing the spirit of the prophecy means considering the attitude (spirit) of the prophet in the delivery, alignment with the heart of Jesus, and spiritual discernment of the source.
8. We keep a record of prophecies given, but as a rule, do not publicize them as they should be understood within the context they are given.