FROM THE EDITORS
Marshall Shelley
July 1, 1991
Before assigning articles for this issue of LEADERSHIP, our editors asked scores of pastors, "What interests you about the supernatural?" Despite the open-ended nature of the question, most of the conversations followed a remarkably similar pattern. Most turned immediately toward the dark side-spiritual warfare, demonic influences, exorcism. The recent proliferation of books about spiritual warfare-fiction thrillers as well as manuals on how to know and combat the Enemy-has heightened the interest in many congregations. Many pastors were concerned that today's preoccupation with such topics was unhealthy, rousing fear, suspicion, and too much attention on the occult. Others were curious, wanting to know more, especially about "deliverance ministry." Eventually, however, the conversations would broaden, and often we'd hear, "But there's a lot more to the supernatural than demons. After all, conversion, forgiveness, and changed lives are part of the supernatural, too." One pastor in Maryland said, "For me, the most mysterious part of the supernatural is how God responds to prayer. Why does he choose to answer some prayers so quickly and visibly, and other times seem absent, leaving people with desperate needs?" So, in addition to dealing with deliverance, this edition of LEADERSHIP addresses a variety of supernatural issues: prayer, worship, the presence of God, and "unction" or the empowering of preaching. Admittedly, our coverage is hardly exhaustive. Many other areas remain. For instance, not long ago I recognized another supernatural gift, one I had previously overlooked: the gift of blessing. A year and a half ago, our family welcomed the birth of our third daughter. Mandy, we soon discovered, is a "special needs" child, severely ...
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