The Healing Apostle - John Alexander Dowie

From the book - God's General by Robert Liardon

An extract from the chapter - While in Edinburgh, Dowie became the "honorary chaplain" of the Edinburgh Infirmary. It was there that he had the unique opportunity to sit under the famous surgeons of his day, comparing their diagnoses with the Word of God. But as patients lay helplessly under chloroform, Dowie heard these surgeons could not heal, and that they could only resort to removing the diseased organs, hoping for a cure. He watched many surgeries end with deadly results. As he heard from the lips of these medical professors the confession that they were only guessing in the dark, and witnessed their experiments, Dowie developed a strong antipathy to surgery and medicine.

Personal opinion - I think it is still true today in the 21st century. Doctors are merely guessing and cure only the symptoms but not released the actual healing!

Extracts from the chapter - John Alexander Dowie was a reformer and a revivalist. This kind of calling has to see results because of the passion for God that burns so strongly within them. He loved people, but his commitment to the truth caused him to focus only on groups that would respond.

Another extract - Despite the tight financial situations that John is in, he told his wife that "I can see that future far more clearly than I can solve the mysteries of the immediate present."

Every ministry has a future. But we must believe in that future or we will never take the first step. Like Dowie, we must determine to hold fast to the Word of God and fight for what is ours in the earth. Setbacks are always present, but we determine if the problem is to remain permanent. Even though we are called, we still have to war against spiritual evils that are sent to destroy our vision and to discourage us. God's angels can help, but the war for our destiny is a personal responsibility that we must win.

Misreading the Call - Dowie was an apostle who didn't have the complete understanding of that office. The anointing he carried pierce the religious theocracies of his day, but there were few who understood him, including himself. As a result, he misunderstood several administration that came with the passion of his office. One passion was in the area of politics.

Dowie's leadership was gaining a strong national influence. So seeing his potential and knowing his stand, the Temperance Society asked him to run for Parliament. At first, he opposed the idea. But he later changed his mind, thinking he could possibly influence more in the political arena and decided to enter the race.

But Dowie suffered a sound defeat in the elections. The local newspapers that had been so damaged by his ministry, waged an all-out attack against him. The politicians and alcoholic beverage industry paid untold amounts of money to see him slandered and defeated. After the election, Dowie had wounded his church and disgraced his ministry.

Dowie was moved by such strong spiritual yearnings that he sought to fulfill them in the natural. I can only speculate why he made his move. It could have been because the church world wasn't grasping the truth fast enough to satisfy him. Whatever his reason, he misread the timing and plan of God for his ministry.

We need to understand that God has a central point from which every aspect of our lives operate, whether individually or corporately. That area is called "timing". From the operation of that one word, lives can move forward with God or be hindered. Nations can advance spiritually, or regress. Life in the spirit realm has a timing to it just as life in the natural. Therefore, it is vitally important for us to follow the leading of our spirit. We must learn that it's not always right to move into action because it seems like the thing to do. This kind of obedience only comes from seasons of prayer and intercession.

Politicians and the political arena have never changed the world. Only people whose hearts are changed by the Gospel can transform civil laws and regulations. Politics were meant to compromise and please as a whole. The apostolic office presents the Word of the Lord, then it is up to the people to conform to and follow it. The apostolic and political don't mix. Dowie with his calling, should have never resorted to a political lifestyle.

While campaigning for office, Dowie also neglected his commandment to preach divine healing. He simply steered away from his calling to pursue a personal goal, thinking he could reach a greater mass of people. And as a result, the rest of his time in Australia was spent in darkness and futility.

Three Core Competencies of A Mentor

Shepherd, Teacher and Leader

from Ps Edmund Chan's Mentoring Paradigm book

1) The Mentor Who Shepherds

The mentor who shepherds knows the condition of the flock. He is sensitive to their needs. Not just the felt needs but the real needs as well.

3 aspects to this shepherding role ...

a) Caring - This is primarily edification through words and presence. As the saying goes, people do not care how much we know until they know how much we care.

b) Counselling - This takes some training and skill. The wise mentor goes for the root rather than the superficial branches.

c) Coaching - Involves discerning the spiritual direction for the people and coaching them with the principles (why) and the skills (how to).

2) The Mentor Who Teaches

Different people learn in different ways. Thus, the mentor who should also teach in a variety of ways :-

a) by doing of project together

b) by reading and personal reflection

c) by discussion or interaction

Best teaching mentors are the ones who seek efficacious teaching for all the learning types. They look for teachable moments. Best teaching mentors do not merely give answers but rather they ask the right questions and give Word-centred principles.

3) The Mentor Who Leads

Those who intentionally lead their mentorees towards a destiny are a rare-breed of mentors. They lead them towards transformational Kingdom engagements and all that God has called them to. They are not just mentoree-centred, they are God-centred!

Mentor who lead inspire hope and faith.

Mentors who leads challenge mentorees to embrace the work of God in their lives, these mentors model the way. They lead by example. There is a clear sense of passion, purpose and pursuit in the mentors' lives. These are visionary leaders who mentor.

Personal prayer - God, may you guide me to be a God-centred mentor who shepherd, teach and lead the mentorees that you have placed under me!