In Defense of the Word of Faith
An Apologetic Response to Encourage Charismatic Believers
by
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Chapter Four
A GIFT TO THE BODY
In an effort to increase our understanding of the positive influence
and overall impact the Word of Faith movement has had upon the
church, and to build a foundation for an appreciation of the manifold
ways in which the charismatic community has ministered to the
body of Christ, I thought it might help if we take a look at some of
those contributions. To this end, let us consider the following topics
as gifts to the body of Christ.
“A New Song”
Arguably, one of the greatest gifts and most appreciated blessings
given to the modern day church was delivered via the gift of music.
It began in the hearts and minds of a few individuals, born out of
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Timothy Sims
a desire to worship in a more simple and intimate way. And God,
in His magnifi cent and wonderful way, took a spark that began in
the heart of a few individuals and ignited a fi restorm the spread
across every continent on the globe. He took that idea (the desire
to worship in a more simple and intimate way) and used it to create
an entirely new genre of music that would impact a generation and
would aff ectionately become known as Contemporary Praise and
Worship.
I must say that in my own life, as a musician, songwriter and a
worship leader, music has been an indispensable part of my Christian
experience. From the age of nine years old, I believe that God began
to prepare me for a life of worship through music. In fact, when
my parent asked what I wanted for my ninth birthday, my response
was adamant as I told them that I wanted a guitar for my birthday
that year! Well, to my surprise, it wasn’t my parents who took me
seriously, but rather it was my grandmother who purchased a brand
new acoustic guitar and gave it to me as a gift. Needless to say,
she was the best grandmother anyone could have, and her gift of
love served as a springboard, which catapulted my life into a new
direction. Later that same year, just after my conversion experience,
I gave my life to Christ and began to sing in the “young people’s
In Defense of the Word of Faith
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choir” at church. And to this day, I still have very fond memories of
that experience.
By the time I was fi fteen, I had already begun to play guitar in
church and where ever the choir was invited to sing. Right about
that time, I also began to hear music and write new and original
songs. Th ey were born out of my love for the Lord and an intimacy
that I experienced between God and me as I spent time in prayer
and the word. Th ese songs were diff erent from the songs we
sang in church. Again however, after I turned sixteen, my whole
life as a born again believer changed after I was introduced to the
charismatic community. Th e songs they sang were diff erent too, but
they refl ected the same kind of intimacy and love for God as the
music I was writing. And better still, that intimacy seemed to be a
shared experience in the collective worship experience.
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About the Book
In Defense of the Word of Faith focuses on the impact of the Charismatic/Word of Faith Movement and its overall positive affects on, and contributions to, the body of Christ. Its purpose is to provide a source of encouragement and exhortation to members of the charismatic Christian community who have been adversely impacted and discouraged by the negative commentary, adverse apologetic arguments, and unfavorable viewpoints expressed by critics of the movement. For readers who are part of the Charismatic experience, it is intended to provide them with a sense of empowerment and inspiration through information and testimonials. The goal is to build confidence by providing evidence for proof of credibility for core beliefs held within the community. And to promote introspective evaluation, which should lead to repentance, when necessary.
It is also an attempt to present a general apologetic response to the negative criticism and attacks against the charismatic community and its representatives. By utilizing a style and format that incorporates personal testimonials, interviews, biblical and historical facts, compelling arguments, and the authority of scripture, In Defense of the Word of Faith presents a case for the validity and necessity of the Charismatic Movement and the vital role that the charismatic community has in God’s plan for the Church and end time ministry.
About the Author
Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Timothy received Christ at age nine. He was brought up in a traditional Pentecostal church, but later joined the Word of Faith community in 1980, and began serving in music ministry in 1984. He later served, from 2000 to 2003, as an associate minister and worship leader of a nondenominational charismatic church..
He is a graduate of the International College of Bible Theology-St. Louis, where he received a Bachelor of Theology and is now an instructor for the college. He received his ordination as a licensed minister through American Mission Teams, an international ministry based in Norris City, Illinois. As a minister of the gospel, Timothy Sims is an insightful and inspirational Bible teacher.
Minister Tim Sims is also a gifted singer-songwriter and psalmist committed to the ministry of worship through music. Over the past twenty-five years, he has served as a worship leader for evangelical and charismatic ministries alike. Through the ministry of God’s word and music, Timothy has been granted the opportunity to observe the impact of charismatic ministry and teaching upon the traditional Evangelical Christian community and Charismatic/Word of Faith community alike. It is this dual exposure as a lay leader in ministry that has provided the inspiration and education for this book.
Timothy and his wife Kimberly are the proud parents of three wonderful children and are committed to the ministry of marriage and family.