God Sometimes Does An Unusual Work

[steveb]

<center><font size="+1">God Sometimes Does an Unusual Work</font>
(A Short Story in Three Parts Composed of Excerpts from
The Bulletins of Community Chapel and Bible Training Center of
Normandy Park, Washington)

I.</center>

DANCING BEFORE THE LORD: God sometimes does an unusual work among a few or several people, uniting them in dancing before Him. At such times it is very important that those nearby be sensitive enough to move out of the area and avoid cutting through where they are dancing. They need room for proper expression and inter-relationship. Because some people are not aware of this and because some are not watching closely enough to recognize what is happening, we are asking that when those on the sidelines see something like this happen, they step in and gently escort the unobservant person out of the way. Simply tell the person that we've asked you to do this, and redirect him to an area where he won't interrupt anything.
(Church bulletin, January 27, 1985)

Dancing before the Lord has been a wonderful vehicle for us to individually show Him our love, praise, and gratitude for the deliverances He has brought in our lives. But recently the Lord has been bringing us into a further dimension in the dance, by opening our eyes to see Christ in our brethren and allowing us to experience how Jesus feels about them. Oh, what a love feast we've been having!

The things God is doing in our midst may seem strange to the natural mind, but our spirits are experiencing God in greater ways, and the fruit is wonderful. God is restoring marriages, healing wounded hearts, building unity, and increasing our hunger for more of Him!
(Excerpt from Camp Meeting bulletin, August 30 - September 2, 1985)

A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR: Regarding my comments concerning Mitch and Marleen Sanderson's position at present. I want you to know that I in no way intended to restrict you in showing them love and having fellowship with them. We want to give Mitch and Marleen all the love we can, in a way that shows we fully accept them.
(Church bulletin, November 17, 1985. "Mitch and Marleen Sanderson" are pseudonyms for a prominent Bible college teacher and his wife.)

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God Sometimes Does an Unusual Work (cont'd)

<center>II.</center>

PLEASE DO NOT BRING VISITORS to the Chapel or other places on campus where people are dancing before the Lord. If relatives and friends are unfamiliar with the move of God in our church, they may not understand what they observe. Therefore, deliverance and dancing areas are not open to visitors.
(Church bulletin, January 12, 1986)

THE MEETING FOR THOSE WITH MAJOR SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS has been changed from the third Saturday of each month to the first Wednesday of each month. Therefore, the first meeting will be held on April 2 (time and location will be published later). Late in March, we will be notifying those who have applied, letting them know if they have been accepted to attend the first meeting.
(Church bulletin, March 9, 1986)

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS or problems concerning the move of God in our church, please seek advice or help from your own elders and counselors. I ask that you not go to Pete Green or others who have stopped attending our assembly, to ask about their position regarding the move of God in our assembly. Although Pete and certain others are still in fellowship standing with us, they feel free to express their criticisms and differences with people who approach them. Please do not go to these people asking for their advice or opinion.
-Pastor Don Barnett
(Church bulletin, April 13, 1986)

WE REGRET TO ANNOUNCE that [Name], [Name], [Name], [Name], and [Name] have been put out of the church. Further, we must at this time announce that Mitch and Marleen Sanderson have been disfellowshipped, having taken part in national publications and regional media broadcasts against our church. Please do not visit them or have any other fellowship with them. (See 2 Th. 3:6,14; 1 Cor. 5:11; Rom. 16:17; Mtt. 18:17; and Tit. 3:10)
(Church bulletin, September 14, 1986)

WHEN MINISTERING INTENTLY TO SOMEONE, remember to use the upstairs prayer areas, not the downstairs levels.
(Church bulletin, October 5, 1986)

IF YOU HAVE A MAJOR SPIRITUAL CONNECTION and would like to join those worshipping together in room E-250 on Tuesday evenings, write a note to Dan Lockman telling him why you want to be added to the group.
(Church bulletin, November 16, 1986)

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God Sometimes Does an Unusual Work (cont'd)

<center>III.</center>

A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR: I'm so thankful for those of you who have been able to come and pray for my needs on Thursdays, 7-8 P.M., in the Sanctuary. I'm asking as many of you as are able to attend these prayer meetings, to do so. I need you to join as one in the power of God to break the forces of the enemy from trying to stifle the moving of the Spirit in this meeting. Each week I will keep the leader informed of my needs, so you can all agree together for me. I love you.
(Church bulletin, February 8, 1987)

A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR: As you know, I have been under long-term severe stress that is affecting my body and nerves, as well as long-term lack of sleep and pressure and dizziness in the head that have persisted for 15 months. Because of these problems, I am finding it imperative to get away for some extended times of vacation and rest. So if you see me gone quite a bit during the months of August and September, I want you to understand why. I very much need the prayers of the saints, praying not only for my physical and mental strength but also uplifting me in the Spirit.
I am deeply thankful for the love and support I have received from you, my beloved family in the Lord, during this difficult time.
(Church bulletin, August 16, 1987)

<font face="courier new">Dear Pastor Don,
It is with deep sorrow in our hearts that we send you this letter. No other man has brought more benefit to us in God than you have. We all commend you and will forever be grateful to you for your many years of excellent and sacrificial Christian ministry to each of us.
The elders (not including the senior elders) voted unanimously to put you out of the church, and made that recommendation to the senior elders who will themselves vote and act on it. The facts requiring this action are so overwhelming that we had no other option... We found at least eight reasons stated plainly in the Bible that require us to put you out of the church....</font>
(Letter from the elders of Community Chapel to Don Barnett, March 4, 1988)

<center>THE END</center>

(Message edited by steveb on April 12, 2006)