Week 3 Discussion: Peter C Wagner’s Legacy_Responses
Read and replied to at least 3 discussion posts by end of day Saturday,
#1. Michelle
C Peter Wagner was the father and grandfather of the New Apostolic Movement. He, along with Cindy Jacobs named the movement and Peter took the leadership role. (Protesia.com/2022/1/31)
He was known as an American missionary, writer, and a teacher at Fuller Seminary with a 30 year tenure. Peter wrote well over 89 books with his views on Spiritual Warfare being a very prominent teaching even today. Nations have been greatly impacted by his teaching and writing. (apologeticsindex.org/797/.c peter wagner) (en.m.wikipedia.org) I greatly admire his teachings on the 7 Mountains and I believe very much that as Christians we have great influence in these mountains should we choose to step in and change the culture. His theology on the 5 Fold Ministry, based upon Ephesians 4:13 has influenced me in the business and market place. My husband and I use the 5 Fold teaching in how we hire employees and build teams. We’ve had great success in identifying peoples gifts and placing them in appropriate positions that yield positive impact.
Wagner was one of Gods most well known Generals of the faith. I admire that he was an innovator, a pioneer and a father/mentor to many such as our leader Papa Che’ Ahn. I had to laugh that Che’, like Peter loved Prime Steak Houses! To quote James Goll in his written memorial upon Peters passing, “Peter Wagner impacted my thinking and modeled a child like heart before the Lord”. (Jennifer LeClair-Charisma Magazine) I
Because of who Peter was and the mantle he carried, I fully expect that my time at WU will further equip me in my Apostolic/Marketplace and Prophetic gifting’s. At WU, there is a high value on Integrity and bringing the power and authority outside of the 4 walls.(Wagner. University/Our Values) God has clearly called my husband and myself to bring transformation to our community and region. My personal expectation is to have Gods character be more fully manifested in my life. Everything Peter did was to glorify God and serve people and the nations with excellence. That too is my deep desire and a large reason I chose Wagner University. My firm belief is that WU will embody these qualities and challenge me to live higher for Him and the Kingdom of God through my leadership.
#2 Rosana
When we think of C. Peter Wagner, we think of an American missionary, writer, teacher, and risk-taker. From a very young age, he learned to use his circumstances as an opportunity to benefit his life and be on the cutting edge of many new trends. As a result, he left us a tremendous example of a leader with a faithful servant’s heart. One of my admiration for him was his sense of humor and sweet smile.
How do I define C. Peter Wagner? He was a simple man with a brilliant mind. One of his best traits was being flexible and accepting change as an acceptable way of life. (1)
Why simple? A man raised by a good family with high levels of education chose to be a “faith missionary” and faced the complex challenges of a different country, culture, and finances. As he described his transition from the United Stated to Bolivia and the physical stress their bodies took at the beginning of their missions, he found himself making a joke: the difference between three types of missionaries” (2) What a heart of gold!!!!
There are a few attributes I hope to encounter as we go deeper into these studies:
- Creativity and risk-taker: Peter Wagner was creative in his ways of thinking and willing to experiment.
My favorite part of the story is when he decides all by himself to experiment with tongues (3). I know that I would not be here now if he did not take the risk to experiment.
- His love for people and sacrificial heart: How many today are willing to sacrifice their lives and their families for the gospel the way he did? I am sure reading the memoir is quite inspiring, but living the daily challenges, was a different emotion. It was heartbreaking how his second child was born and the physical challenges in a third-world country when his daughter will have a better life in his own country.
- Honor and respect: Peter Wagner made true friends. He was humble enough to recognize other people’s gifts and open doors for other leaders to shine brighter than he was. John Wimber’s relationship with him is a perfect example of a godly relationship.
I am inspired to learn more about the things God has stored for all of us in this season. I pray God will remind me of his sweet smile and his character as a way of following his steps as part of his university.
Reference:
(1) Chapter 2, P.14 C. Peter Wagner-Wrestling with alligators, prophets, and theologians
Lessons from a lifetime in the church-A Memoir
(2) Chapter 3, P.46 C. Peter Wagner-Wrestling with alligators, prophets, and theologians
Lessons from a lifetime in the church-A Memoir
(3) Chapter 6, P.116 C. Peter Wagner-Wrestling with alligators, prophets, and theologians
Lessons from a lifetime in the church-A Memoir
#3. Amber
- Peter Wagner is a crucial leader of the Church growth movement, an American missionary, and a writer who authored 80 books.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._Peter_Wagner
Peter Wagner, in my opinion, was all about equipping and raising leaders for Kingdom ministry. (Ephesians 4:11-12). He was all about the promotion of apostles and the new apostolic reformation (NAR), a movement for God to restore the lost office of the Prophet and Apostle. (apologeticsindex.org/797)
I admire that though Peter had written so many books and influenced many people’s lives, he was humble. I love how the first chapter of his book (Wrestling with Alligators, Prophets, and Theologians, pages 10-12). He talks about how his publisher wanted him to write a biography. Peter said no because he felt that people who write memoirs live in achievements of the past. As we get older, Peter said we get wiser, and he realized that wisdom is relative. He did not claim that he was wiser than anyone else his age. He did know he was wiser than when he was 30-40, so when he finally decided to write his biography, he was thinking of how it could be helpful to people in their 30’s or 40’s to help avoid some mistakes and encourage them to break new ground and shift paradigms that they might not be inclined to do. Peter was a general in the Faith and a spiritual father and mentor to many. I admire that through it all, Peter kept his faith, ran the race, never gave up, and constantly desired to do the will of the father.
I hope through my time here at WU, my prophetic gifting will grow and develop, my faith will increase, and I to always persevere and show the love of the father as Peter did.
