Category: Ministry Integrity

Copyright 2015 Theresa Harvard Johnson

Every few months, I receive notes, messages or emails stating that “scribal ministry” is a false ministry. One woman was so upset about the thought of “scribes in ministry” that she called me a “false prophet” spreading “false doctrine” and brought an entire “amen” section with her. Seriously.

I actually shouted for joy in that moment. It was an HONOR to be attacked and mocked. Truly, scribal ministry is God’s ministry. I continuously see these attacks as opportunities or fuel to continue to shed light on this powerful and unique calling! Scribal ministry is just as plain in scripture as the ministry of Ephesian’s 11:4 or that of the elders.

Check out The Scribal Anointing book series. Order the series digitally in My Digital Store or have them shipped through My Scribal Store.

Copyright 2015 Theresa Harvard Johnson

 

2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

Hebrews 10:35-36 CJB, “So don’t throw away that courage of yours, which carries with it such a great reward. For you need to hold out; so that, by having done what God wills, you may receive what he has promised.”

It takes courage to be a writer, a scribe – especially if your journey began without any professional training, support or amid great criticism. It’s even worse when you have the heart to write, but lack strong talent or skill. Such is the life of many souls who pass through the halls of Voices of Christ Literary Ministries International. They find themselves “down for the count” before they ever really get started.

Copyright 2015 Theresa Harvard Johnson

This article is very personal to me. Like many of you (if not most), I have walked through the kind of brokenness in ministry (and in the corporate arena for that matter) that leaves you questioning not only your skill and ability, but your value and contribution to the world. I’m going to be real frank with this next statement: “Some hurts can literally kill your spirit and cause you to lay everything God placed in you down.”

I was left reeling in what seemed to be a sea of incompetence and no courage to fight. My name could have been “Theresa Second-Guess-Every-Thing-About-Yourself Johnson.” In that season, I literally felt as if I was down for the count. I did not trust people – even those worthy of it, and I especially didn’t trust myself – including my ability to hear God, the confidence of my calling (which I had walked strong in at one time) or even my gifts (natural and spirit). I existed this way for nearly three years after my career suddenly ended, my marriage was heading for divorce and my closest spiritual relationships (all places where I found affirmation) evaporated right before my very eyes.

Copyright 2014 Theresa Harvard Johnson

Dry places.

There will be many of them in our walk with the Lord. They often represent rocky valleys, deserted roads, long stretches of highway and lonely places in our lives – meaning, they are bone dry, free of people and all other outside influences. Mostly, they are viewed negatively by those walking through them, and primarily from the perspective of immense hardship.

The bottom line is this: There are many different kinds of dry places relayed to us in the scripture – some brought on by sin and others resulting from warfare. Then, there are the kinds of dry places that we seek out – because we recognize our need for a deliverer. The incarnate Yeshua presented this valuable truth to us in his three and a half year ministry in the old Jerusalem.

Copyright 2014 Theresa Harvard Johnson

(This post is primarily geared toward scribes who have asked for counsel from others concerning their scribal projects. Then, when they receive the advice released in love, they dismiss it. The purpose of this article is to encourage listening so that we can produce work that is pleasing to God in all areas.)

Proverbs 15:22 CJB says, “Without deliberation, plans go wrong; but with many advisers, they succeed.”

One of the most difficult challenges I have encountered in scribal ministry revolves around providing constructive criticism to prophetic people. It is as if there is this mindset that declares: “God told me how to do it, so I’m going to do it like this anyway.” And sometimes, that “anyway” is a very, very bad representation of their prophetic vision.