History
and Aims of Banner Ministries
and the CROSS+WORD Web Site
Contents
Introduction 2013
How
did this web site come into being?
What
is the purpose of this web site?
What
will you find here?
Why
do we appear to criticise everyone?
Are
we simply anti-charismatic?
What
and who is Banner Ministries?
Beliefs & Denominational
Allegiance
Oversight
Conclusion
A more lengthy explanation is given in the "NEWS" section. This page contains information from the original CROSS+WORD website about Banner Ministries. The website was put on ice for a number of years, but requests have been made to provide access to the archives, and in doing so I hope they may still be useful although most of the articles are now dated. Some of these articles now exist on the newer birthpangs.org website, and where feasible, links to them are given. Otherwise, the articles are as once provided on the older site. (Some very dated and irrelevant material has been deleted.)
 The
original CROSS+WORD website was born in 1995. It was designed to contain
the work of a number of researchers and other concerned Christians who
had been drawn together informally through internet connections, to cope
with the Toronto outpouring. (The site's title comes from the acronym
Christian Resource Of Scripture Studies, plus, the Work Of Researchers
and Discernment ministries.)
It
was intended that the entire group of researchers would jointly own and
use the site to present their work. However, this proved unworkable and
over the course of time the ministries and key personnel involved developed
their own specialist web sites. Therefore Banner Ministries (the personal
ministry of Tricia Tillin in England, and the host ministry for the original
site) became the sole owner.
The
group of researchers, held together loosely by their concerns about the
Toronto Blessing, drifted slowly apart as they pursued their own avenues
of research, thus the CROSS+WORD site became the ministry site of Banner
Ministries only.
The
first site was created and maintained by a couple who supported Banner
Ministries, and early articles on this site reflect their choice of material.
Later I (Tricia Tillin) took over the work, redesigned the site and made
the choice of material. Some articles remain from the original site and
these should not be taken as my own personal choice.
In
addition, articles by a number of authors are presented here, for your
information. Clearly, I could not personally endorse every word of every
article, but all articles contain useful information for research. Also,
please note that the links page is no indication of my personal beliefs.
The image above is from the 1998 version of the website. I wonder how many people remember it? Also, how many remember the "green room" that was a graphic introduction to the older sites, one of the first such home page of its type.
From
the above, it will be clear that this site is for Christians searching
for information on the current "renewal" and "revival" manifestations
in the churches; and also to help towards explaining other foundational
errors.
While
some leaders are claiming that a massive endtimes revival will bring the
global Church into prominence, resulting in the conversion of millions,
others - ourselves included - do not find this concept in the Bible. As
well as this, we believe we can show that the many strange spiritual and
psychic manifestations associated with the current renewal are not biblical,
and in fact can be dangerously deceptive.
Given
the purpose of the Web Site, we have tried to present only material
on that theme: endtimes false teaching within the Church. The articles
here
are the work of many different ministers and individual Christians,
though many are of course authored by me (Tricia Tillin) as the owner
of the
site. The central theme is the truth of the Word of God, and the discernment
given by the Holy Spirit, as guiding lights illuminating our Christian
walk.
Rather
than depend on various words and prophecies, or revelations given while
in the throes of a spiritual "experience", the writers here have tested
all things by the scriptures - God's word. That is not to say that
the
writers have all rejected the power and presence of the Spirit. Far
from it. Many are themselves pentecostals.
We
want to present solid proof of a deception. In doing so, we sometimes
have to name names, in order to illustrate the point, and to warn
Christians to beware. However, it's not our intention to vilify,
denounce or unjustly
criticise any person or ministry. We try to speak the truth in
love, and
give teachers the benefit of the doubt. It is doctrine, not personality
that concerns us; it is public teaching, not personal sin that
we expose. The scriptures command us to test the doctrine of those
who teach us.
So, we are not attacking the private lives of individual Christians
(they
answer to God!) but merely repeating what these ministers themselves
say, and holding up their teachings to the light of scripture.
The
straight answer to this is NO. Many, if not most, of the writers represented
here would call themselves charismatic in the biblical sense. We believe
in the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit for today. We also believe
that the Holy Spirit can guide us by confirming truth by revelation to
our inward spirits. He reveals the truth of scripture, and brings the
mere written word to life. What we have written in no sense denies the
charismatic experience of believers (as some would imply in their condemnation
of us). It merely calls into question the practise of depending on spiritual
feelings and manifestations, and revelations, that contradict or re-contextualise
the word of God.
We
believe that new and extraordinary manifestations ought to be tested
by the Word of God, and to have their spiritual source discerned.
There are
many who label us, therefore, as nit-picking "pharisees" and "word-based" as
if refusing to sail out into uncharted waters is somehow disobedient.
To some, this is a black and white argument, with Toronto supporters
as
the truly spiritual and all others as anti-Spirit dissenters doomed
to judgement. This is a facile argument, unworthy of Christians! This
web
page exists to air the alternatives, and to allow you to decide for
yourself what is truly of God.
Banner
Ministries is a small, home-run service dedicated to uncovering and
exposing false doctrine; it also at the same time and by contrast
presents sound
biblical doctrine. The vision and impetus for the ministry came about
in 1986 with a command from the Lord: "Let My people go!" (Exod 8:1)
and a picture of a battlefield with wounded, weary and confused believers
wandering all over the place looking for direction.
Up
on a prominent hilltop was the Commander's banner - the name of Jesus
and the Cross of Calvary. The powerful name of Jesus and the victory of
the Cross should be our focal point. If we can rally round this banner,
we will be drawn not only to the Truth incarnate, but to eachother as
true believers.
Shortly
afterwards, this vision and word was confirmed by others (who did not
know about the above) with the founding scripture of Banner Ministries
- Isaiah 62:10. "Go through, go through the gates, prepare ye the way
of the people; cast up, cast up the highway, gather out the stones; lift
up a standard (banner) for the people."
In
order to find stability in today's uncertain world, we must look to the
truths of the Word and the unchanging nature of the Lord. The Banner of
God needs to be held high to give direction to wandering Christians.
So,
Banner Ministries was born. It was then, and still is today, my personal
watchman ministry, with the full support and approval of my husband. The ministry has always been home-based
and ALL the work - including web work - is done by me without the benefit
of staff, high-tech equipment, or income.
There
are no employees or research facilities. This is not a huge international
ministry with offices, a manned switchboard and full-time office staff;
it cannot provide speakers or large quantities of materials. However,
by staying uncluttered and independent, Banner Ministries has remained
accessible and personalised and has been able to avoid the glory-seeking,
complexity of organisation and spiritual rabbit trails that have misdirected
others.
NOTE:
The newsletter "Mainstream" is no longer circulated,
and there are no books or other materials available by mail from Banner
Ministries.
Beliefs
In
order to address the curiosity of some who visit this site, let me just say that this ministry is Protestant (i.e., not Roman Catholic) and
pro the
biblical gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit. I believe in the
biblical gifts of the Spirit for today. I do not deny the reality
of miracles
if they are truly of God. I am pre-millennial but not classic "dispensational".
I believe the King James version of the Bible is the most accurate.
However,
we do not reject all other translations as completely without value.
A fuller
statement of belief is found elsewhere on this site.
Although
it makes no difference to the quality and validity of the teaching to
be found on this site, the following is my denominational history.
I was brought up with a family background of Primitive Methodism. Having been saved in the 1960's, I was directed to join the Church of England (Anglican). As a child I attended a Methodist Sunday School and later (to find more sound teaching)
was directed to local Baptist and then a Salvation Army Sunday School. My teenage years before and shortly after conversion were spent attending an Anglican
church accompanied by my Godparents.
I
was saved through personal contact with two Methodist Lay Preachers; thereafter
I was confirmed in the Anglican Church, and attended services there, but
my main source of fellowship was with an informal group of Christians
who attended Baptist, Methodist, Congregational and Anglican local churches.
I
was challenged to a deeper commitment to Jesus as LORD through personal
prayer, and with the input of various devotional works including those
of John Wesley and the Puritans, and I experienced an infilling of the
Holy Spirit for service at that time, with the gift of other languages
in prayer and praise. (This experience was personal, and not through the
teaching or ministry of any particular person or group.)
Later still I briefly attended a Pentecostal fellowship, at one time going to the Anglican church in the morning
and a Pentecostal church in the evening, neither of which completely satisfied
my desire for truly biblical fellowship.
I had some experience of the Chard Fellowship (Sid and Milly Purse) and later joined an offshoot of that Fellowship, which taught and practised 'body ministry' that is, each Christian was encouraged to grow in faith and take part in meetings as led by God.
At this time, Shepherding was taking hold of many English churches. Eventually, what became known as the Restoration
Movement gained a stranglehold on most charismatic fellowships in the
UK. [And it was at this time, I was led to begin Banner Ministries.]
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