New Wineskins for New Wine
By JAMES GOLL---
I have been on the lookout for“ New Wineskins for the New Wine” for many years now. At one point in my searching, I had been on the watch for“ New Wine” only. As one can only imagine, those are incredibly fun seasons for sure! I love jumping in the flow as much as anyone. In my 42 years of full-time vocational ministry, I have pondered deeply on the necessity of flexible structures-- the wineskins-- but rarely did I ever see it in practice. I found a lot of“ principles turned into laws” and a lot of“ rivers with no banks.”
I love structure, but then really love spontaneity. So, which ditch is it? Do you have to choose? Can I have my cake and eat it too?
What does this have to do with my relationship with HIM? Everything! It’ s amazing that for half of my ministerial journey, I have been in the river with the likes of Ché & Sue Ahn, Lou & Therese Engle, Brian & Candice Simmons, Charles & Anne Stock, and I could not leave out Wesley & Stacey Campbell. I have prophesied to the nations with Cindy Jacobs, and sometimes with Dr. C. Peter Wagner quietly and studiously observing.
And then, I get to be a scout for the next generation of sold-out Jesus‘ crazies’ and help lasso them in! People like Jerame & Miranda Nelson, Matt & Stephanie Sorger, Steven & Rene Springer, Andrea & Patrick Penn and a few other fruitful Jesus followers … Oh how fun it is! I get to cheer these young leaders on and then in a moment get down to serious business with them, asking:‘ How is your life? How is your marriage?’
So what does HIM mean to me? Well, it means fulfilled prophecies, lasting relationships, trust, friendship, not walking alone but walking aligned, sharing common values, and so much more! It means having a place where the New Wine is cherished and there is a constant pursuit on how to build New Wineskins to contain it. In the early days of HIM it was about JESUS and now 20 years later- it is still about JESUS!
I believe HIM is a flexible Wineskin that carries and distributes the New Wine. And still, for me it is something more. It’ s called FAMILY. And yes, we are better together! Oh, lest I forget one of my favorite things, sometimes I get to be crazy uncle James. Hmmm...
JAMES GOLL Encounters Network
HIM Apostolic Team Member of HIM since 1996
� jamesgoll. com
� � @ jamesgoll Franklin, Tennessee
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