Title: Intercessors & Pastors
Subtitle: The Emerging Partnership of Watchmen & Gatekeepers
Author: Eddie and Alice Smith
Publisher: Intermedia Publishing Group, Inc.
URL link to the publisher's site that lists this book:
eBook version: http://bit.ly/Intercessors-Pastors-eBook
pBook (printed) version: http://bit.ly/Intercessors-Pastors-pBook
What was it about this book that interested you? I am an intercessor who has studied about pastor and intercessor relationships for many years and I wanted to see the authors’ approach in bringing the two together. The authors recognized and identified serious issues that keep pastors intercessor apart; the situation facing the church today; and provided good teaching on bringing intercessors and pastors together.
What is the basic idea/concept/purpose of this book? The basic concept of the book was that pastors and intercessors need to work together.
Eddie Smith is one of the few pastors that I know who has actually taken the interest in discipling intercessors. Eddie and his wife, Alice, have recognized the role of intercessors working within the church, and have seen over many years issues that have prevented pastors and intercessors working together. They take time to share from their hearts what is needed to restart meaningful relationship between pastors and intercessors that will result in relational unity, recognizing our uniqueness, yet working as one functionally.
They do this by helping us to understand prayer not as a discipline, but as a ministry and likened intercessors to men of Issachar, 1 Chron 12:32, who knew what Israel should do. They also explored the role of intercessors in strategic assignments, helping the church. With that understanding of some of the roles of intercessors, they also share with pastors, various ways that would help intercessors, come together with the church and the pastor. We should remember that most ministries go to men for God, but prayer ministry goes to God for men.
The authors also take considerable time to help pastors understand intercessors, i.e. what makes them tick, and what do they need personally so they can perform their ministry. Working with them can help a pastor and church grow in relationship to our Lord Jesus.
They also take time to reach out to intercessors, sharing what pastors need from them, and helping them to have an understanding of a pastor’s work.
Their encouragement of pastors and intercessors to work together, presents the opportunity to allow Christ to make the church what it should be, -- something beautiful, the Bride of Christ.
There is a lot of practical wisdom contained in the book that will help you if applied, and it is there ready for you to glean it. Overall, this book is an excellent resource that can help pastors work with these intercessors. I heartily recommend it.
There was one group of intercessors the authors did not touch: This area concerned the intercessors that have not settled down in a church. Personally, I know many in this group, and was disappointed that the book did not address how to bring this particular group into the fold of your church. There are indeed many intercessors out wandering among our churches and who have moved from church to church. The ironic thing is that a number of those who wandering intercessors really want a home church. They honestly want someone who will listen them; someone who will take an interest in them; and someone who will accept and work with them out of God’s love. Some of these wandering intercessors can be likened to a wild stallion, which are very independent difficult to manage, or maybe like ones who for one reason or another are difficult to settle down and commit themselves to a church. I have learned something more about them over the years —often they are the first responders when you need help.
Intercessors— whether wandering or like a wild stallion, a heart that wants opportunity to demonstrate God’s love. I have spent 4-5 years+ researching these and other issues about intercessors, and am still working on them. This is one group of intercessors that I ache for. Intercessors who are ‘unchurched’ and who pastors have not recognized their gifting. I also felt much pain for them as I wrote that sentence. I will not judge them. Where I can, I will encourage them. Frankly, the authors, though they have not addressed this group, have provided much wisdom that can be applied and help you reach out to them and just maybe with God’s help, ‘be brought into the Fold’. Intercessors in this group just need someone to come alongside of them, recognize their gifting, and give them a chance to grow. They are like that lost sheep, who was not in the shelter of the fold. Matt 18:12.
Write about something the author included that inspired/instructed/equipped you: I found much practical wisdom presented that to me makes this book and valuable resource for my study and library.
Who would best benefit from this book? Mostly pastors. Intercessors could also benefit, but most of them need an affirming personal relationship with a pastor that is developed before they will fully respond.
Some reflection questions to consider about intercessors from a pastor's view point:
Have you ever known a wandering intercessor? Have you known them well enough to hear heart issues? Tell us about it.
Would you send an electrician to a diesel mechanic school, or would you send him to an electrical school? Why would a regular disciple course not be enough to help intercessors?
How would your spending time with an intercessor help in understanding their passion for prayer?
Reflection question for Intercessors to share that could help pastors: What could pastors do that would help you in your ministry?
You are an intercessor in a church which does not have a strong emphasis on prayer. How does that affect you as an intercessor?
As an intercessor, what has hurt you the most in church relationships?
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Jennifer,
You are indded blessed to have a pastor and elder who recognized your ministry.
The question you ask about having a hard time recognizing the need of more intercessors is one I believe many also have. Ask the Lord to open their hearts to his word about intercessors, and share this book with them. God may use it to help them.
Let us know what happens.
Blessings
When I read the book, 'Intercessors and Pastors', it was because I was so desperate to have some answers. As an intercessor in my previous church, I was accepted and felt valued by the Pastor. Then we moved and began to attend a new church. For the last 2 years I have felt absolutely invisible and ignored as a pray-er by the leadership of this church. I just cried when I read the book. It was like I wasn't alone in this. Eddie and Alice Smith seem to understand my perdiciment. I really believe that we are supposed to go to this church too. But it's like I'm not even needed there and have been pushed into a corner where I can just do my own thing. The book helped me be more aware of the enemies strategies and I am the type of person that will rise to the challenge with God's help. Please pray for me to be wise and courageous but tempered with love as I continue to persevere in the ministry of prayer here.
Eddie certainly has taken on a challenge in writing the book about intercessors and pastors. His work certainly resonates with many intercessors.
Sounds like you are on a new journey. Unfortunately not all pastors recognize the need of intercessory prayer on their behalf. In addition most of our seminaries have no courses in prayer or maybe just one course. There are some exceptions, but this statement is essentially true. Some seminaries try to integrate prayer into their course work, but the fact is that the focus on prayer in our seminaries is weak—which means that many pastors have had little or no prayer training.
I would encourage you to seek ways how to build a relationship with your pastor and leaders of your church where they can see first-hand that prayer is very important. You may want to read over the course being presented in a group on Pray!Network, in the group "Praying Together Course" and its responses. There is a lot of discussion of prayer growing out of relationship that may help you.
I would encourage you to find some ladies to pray with. With them, ask the Lord how He wants you to pray for the church. In the process of seeking how to pray for the church, query the pastor and leaders. Keep an account of how you pray, so when problems come up, you can show that your prayers and intercession are based on God’s word.
I will keep you in prayer as the Lord leads.
May the Lord bless you as you move forward.