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<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="CENTER">“<font size="3"><b>TWO
ARE BETTER THAN ONE” MINISTRIES</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="CENTER"><font size="3"><b>Jim
& Marie Watt</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="CENTER"><font size="3"><b>Tel:
253-517-9195 - Email: <a href="mailto:jmbetter@gmail.com" target="_blank">jmbetter@gmail.com</a></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="CENTER"><font size="3"><b>Web:
<a href="http://www.2rbetter.org/">www.2rbetter.org</a></b></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="CENTER">August 21, 2011</p><p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="CENTER">
<br></p>
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<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="CENTER"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><u><b>COVENANT:
SEATTLE PRESBYTERY – JUNE 1971</b></u></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="CENTER"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>HISTORY</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">In
1971 a group of Seattle pastors under the leadership of Dennis
Bennett of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church – convened a conference
composed of 30 North American traveling 5-fold ministries, with a
core group of 8 local pastors.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Father
Bennett had been ministering in Florida earlier in the year. As he
and Bob Mumford had fellowship, Bob mentioned a serious problem. Many
of these traveling ministries did not know each other, and found it
easy to bad-mouth one another behind the back of the one referred to.
This often took place both privately and publicly.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">It
was Bob’s belief, that if these men could meet for a week with one
another in closed session – it would then be more difficult to
speak disparagingly of one another in their absence.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Dennis
told Bob of the Seattle pastors who were then meeting on a monthly
basis – some 30 or so in number. He felt they would take this
challenge, and play host for such a conference.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">In
January of 1971 the Seattle men unanimously accepted this challenge;
and believed God to meet a normal weekly honorarium for each of the
30 traveling ministries, plus their full travel expenses, as well as
their room and board while in Seattle.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Morning
and afternoon for 10 sessions, Dennis chaired these closed meetings.
Some dozen subjects came under scrutiny and discussion – but the
most important subject centered on interpersonal relationships and
problems – and how scripturally to address it.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Derek
Prince presented a paper in 8 parts entitled “Covenant: Seattle
Presbytery.” After serious discussion, it was accepted and signed
by both the 30 delegates, and later by many other pastors in the
SeaTac Metroplex.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">In
the 1700’s John Wesley prepared 52 sermons to train his Class
Leaders of 8, who led some 70,000 at that time in weekly meetings in
the British Isles. Later Lenin copied the Class Meeting concept and
adapted it to Communist Cell Meetings. An English Sociologist of that
day – not a Christian believer – stated emphatically, that apart
from the Weekly Class Meetings inaugurated by the Wesleys – Great
Britain would have experienced in a similar fashion what took place
in the French Revolution of 1789.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">John
Wesley’s classic sermon on Matthew 18:15-17 was entitled, “The
Cure of Evil Speaking.” Here is his definition – Any person who
speaks of an absent brother in a derogatory manner, engages in “Evil
Speaking.”</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">It
is all too easy to use E-mails today in this manner, and thus violate
the first commandment that Jesus gave the church, and the one we most
often disobey and break</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Following
is the article Derek Prince prepared for Seattle in June of 1971. (I
am reproducing this on “Word Processor” at the request of a
present day local pastor.) -- Jim Watt</font></p>
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</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="CENTER"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><u><b>COVENANT:
SEATTLE PRESBYTERY – JUNE 1971</b></u></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="CENTER"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>1.
We whose names are signed below believe that God has set us as
leaders within the body of Christ in our area. We will respect the
others whose names are signed below. (A: 1 Corinthians 12:12-28;
Psalm 133.)</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>2.
If at any time we have any criticism or complaint against any of the
others, we will take the steps prescribed in Matthew 18:15-17 to
retain the fellowship of our brothers: </b></font><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><u><b>first</b></u></font><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>,
go to the person alone; </b></font><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><u><b>second</b></u></font><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>,
if necessary, go to him with two or more witnesses; </b></font><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><u><b>third</b></u></font><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>,
if necessary, bring the matter before the whole group. Thereafter, we
will abide by any decision reached by the whole group. (B: Exodus
23:1; Leviticus 19:16; Psalm 15:3; Proverbs 6:16, 19; 20:19; 26:20;
James 3:l-10).</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>3.
If another person brings to us any criticism or complaint against any
of those whose names are signed below, we will direct that person to
take the steps prescribed in Matthew 18:15-17. If the situation
requires, we will be willing to go with that person as a witness. We
will not entertain any criticism or complaint against any of the
others whose names are signed below, except in the presence of the
one against whom the criticism or complaint is made. (B: above).</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>4.
We will also respect all other leaders within the body of Christ in
our area, upon two conditions: </b></font><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><u><b>first</b></u></font><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>,
that we recognize their lives and ministries as being morally and
ethically sound (C: 1 Timothy 1:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:19-22; Titus 2:7-8);
</b></font><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><u><b>second</b></u></font><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>
that they show due respect for the scriptures (D: John 14:23-24; 2
Timothy 3:16-4:2; 1 John 2:4-5) the Lord Jesus Christ (E: John
5:22-23; 10:7-9; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 3:11; 8:6; Ephesians
1:20-23; Colossians 1:18; 1 John 4:2-3); the Holy Spirit (F: John
14:16-17, 26; 16:13-14; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11); and the body of
Christ (G: Matthew 18:17; 1 Timothy 3:14-15; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17;
5:12-6:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24) in our area.</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>5.
We will likewise respect any ministries whom God may from time to
time direct to our area for the upbuilding of his body in our area,
provided that they fulfill the two conditions stated in paragraph 4
above. (H: Matthew 10:40-41; Acts 11:22-24; 15:32-33; 18:27; 1
Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; Philippians 2:19-29; 3 John 5-8).</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>6.
If at any time we have reason to believe that persons are seeking to
minister or exercise influence within the body of Christ in our area,
who do not fulfill the conditions stated in paragraph 4, we will not
give our endorsement or support to their ministries or other
activities, and we will notify accordingly the other leaders whose
names are signed below, as well as any members of the body of Christ
in our area who look to us for spiritual leadership. (I: Matthew
7:15-23; Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Timothy 3:6-9; Titus 1:9-11; 3:9-11; 2
Peter 2; 1 John 4:1-6; 2 John 7-11).</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>7.
We agree that any one of us will no longer be recognized as a member
of this group, if at any time: </b></font>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b> (1)
He voluntarily withdraws from this covenant;</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b> (2)
He moves to a place of residence outside our area;</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b> (3)
After fair and careful examination by the group it is decided that he
no longer </b></font>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b> fulfills
the conditions stated in paragraph 4.</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>8.
New leaders may at any time be added to this group, or former leaders
reinstated, provided that they fulfill the conditions stated in
paragraph 4, and that they voluntarily and sincerely accept the
commitments contained in this covenant.</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">(NOTE: The above principles can
easily be adapted for a local congregation, especially where they
apply. It would be hoped that local pastors would recognize the
discipline of their various local churches, and stand by a brother
pastor or leader when discipline has been applied. Such a member
should not be received by another local congregation until the
problem has been made right. They can also be used as the church of
Ephesus did in Revelation 2:1-7. Outside teachers who counted
themselves as apostles were received on a preliminary basis subject
to approval. Those who did not meet NT standards were rejected. No
doubt other city churches were warned concerning these.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">The last Lausanne Conference in
2010 I believe in South Africa, had a key note speaker from an area
of NY City. He said God was not in these last days going to use
nations such as the US and Canada to bring back His Son. Instead, He
was going to use “City Churches” to do so. The 7 churches of
Revelation tend to confirm this. 5 key cities in Canada are moving in
this direction, and 4 in Cascadia (the Pacific NW).</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">In the light of this, the 1971
Covenant from Seattle could be of significance. George Whitefield
produced city cell groups of this nature 18 months preceding John
Wesley, and founded the first Wesleyan movement - again preceding the
Wesleys, with emphasis more on the Sovereignty of God than on the
free-will of man.) - J.A.Watt</font></p>
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