We believe that the gifts are for the edification of the body (the church) and also for the edification of the individual saint. We therefore believe that the gifts ought to be made manifest in both corporate as well as private settings, within the context of scriptural guidelines.

OUR POLICY - We in leadership soberly recognize the responsibility we have been entrusted with: to lead and guide the congregation and also to protect it.

As such is the case, we are necessarily very prayerful and careful as to who prophesies, who ministers, who gives a word of public exhortation.

If you are visitor to our church, you are of course most welcome to come and fellowship and pray and receive from the ministry that might be occurring, but we would strongly request that if you feel that you have been gifted by the Lord in any spiritual manner, if you feel you have a word for the church or for an individual in our church, that you refrain from moving in that area until you have met and spoken with our pastoral staff, and have been affirmed by them and invited to minister or to speak out in prophetic utterance.

This is for the safety of the flock, and also for your own benefit and spiritual safety as well.

Fortunately, the scriptures make it abundantly clear that the true prophet is in control of his or her emotions, outspeakings, and ministry, so we can all rest assured that nothing will "come over" anyone truly godly that would cause them to disobey this biblical church policy or move out beyond spiritual guidelines.

We believe God is doing a magnificent work in these last days, equipping and even re-equipping the church, pouring out His Spirit in a restorative work of empowerment. All of us are accountable to submit both to this work of the Spirit, and also to the biblical purposes and provisions surrounding this work. In such submission, we will all be blessed. Our heart's cry is that you, our visitors, as well as you, our congregants, will be blessed and edified (strengthened and built up) by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the godly, holy, selfless manifestations of the Spirit, as we submit to God's timing and power and word.

Scriptural Support For Our Policy And Position: The following is not intended to be regarded as a comprehensive teaching, but rather as a biblical reference as to our position. All scriptures are taken from the NKJV:

1 Cor 12:8-11 ...for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

1 Cor 14:1-5 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

1 Cor 14:18-19  I thank my God I (PAUL) speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

1Thes 5:19-21  Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise prophecies.  Test all things; hold fast what is good.

Rev 19:10  And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

Heb 13:17  Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

1 Pet 5:2-3  Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;  nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

1 Cor 14:32  And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

1 Cor 16:15-16  I urge you, brethren-- you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints-  that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.