The Champions Table
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What is a Champions Table
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| By definition, simply, a Champions Table is a group of four local pastors(leaders) who meet together on a weekly basis for one to two hours to challenge each other, to encourage, to pray for one another and to help attain individual goals. To have a friend you must learn to be a friend. Champion Tables allow pastors to develop trusted friendships that are genuine. As a pastor I have found it very difficult to trust anyone. I have many friends/acquaintances in my church and denomination, but these are people I would never expose my hurts or weaknesses to. There are times that I have questions and frankly I am embarrassed to ask anyone because of what they might think. Other times I get so frustrated I just want to quit, knowing I can’t it just stays inside of me like a sore that keeps festering.
Does this sound familiar? You may have other issues that only you know about. The Champion Table may be the place that over time you build deep rooted trust. The kind of trust that you can say anything and know you are not going to be cast out and burned at the stake. How refreshing to find a place where I can take my “Pastor Title” off and just be a man. Testimonials I wanted to drop you a line to express my joy in our All Pro Pastors Champion Table. We have been meeting since May, 2007 now, and the intimacy level is really growing. We have seen barriers come down, and transparency taking place. Our four pastors have learned to lean on and count on one another. Hardly a week goes by that I don’t receive an email or phone call, giving or asking for encouragement. Every pastor needs a Table like ours. Fred Harrold, New life Community Church USA
All Pro Pastors has helped me as a man, a husband and a Pastor. The impact of Champion Tables in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania is changing the Kingdom of God for all of Africa. My life will never be the same! Ambassador Peter Simwa, Higher Vision Center, Eldoret, Kenya,
Our “All Pro Pastors” Champion Table meets every Tuesday morning. I was at a point where I had decided not to add anything else to my weekly calendar. After a couple of weeks I discovered that the “Champion Table” was not your normal “meeting type” atmosphere as some would think. It offered open discussion with likeminded people who share the same type of accomplishments, challenges, and needs. We share the importance of honoring God as the husbands, fathers, and leaders in our homes. I now look forward to Tuesday mornings as a priority.
FBC Durant USA |
Dear Pastor,
In 2003 the Lord clearly spoke to me that we as Pastors need to learn to trust one another and to love each other. He also said that we as Pastors need to live” Holy” lives at home and embrace accountability. This word started my wife and me on a journey to begin a ministry called All Pro Pastors (APP) and now “Champion Table Global Ministries”.
The Champion Table is the foundation of APP and these guidelines have helped Pastors throughout the world to experience miracles, start lifelong friendships, save marriages and ministries, and unify the Body for Kingdom building. We are committed to praying for you and encouraging you to stay the course! When we say we love you, we mean it.
Please take the time to READ through the Champion Table Guidelines. We are absolutely sure the Holy Spirit has given this to us. Many Pastors want specific guidelines and others already understand the principles to become real Champions through accountability/trust and friendship.
Each Pastor makes the decision as to whether you want a strong “Accountability” table or simply a Fellowship/Friendship table. Both are extremely essential in our life. These are a few specifics that it takes to make a successful “Champions Table”.
(1) Pastors/Men should meet together with Pastors from different churches/denominations/tribes/etc (if at all possible).
(2) “Four” Pastors are the best number at a Table. 5 or more reduce “Trust Building” genuine intimacy and increases the time needed each week.
(3) There are stages “Strong Tables” go through. : Fellowship-Friendship-Honesty-Encouragement-(Commitment)-Trust-Accountability-Acheivement-Success-CHAMPIONSHIP
(4) Setting Weekly To Do’s give a foundation for commitment, it is the easiest way to learn accountability without the need for deep trust, helps establish Achievable Goals, provides a circle of friends to cheer you on to success each week
(5) The Table is not a Bible study. (You should already have this). It is easy for us as Pastors to avoid real issues by using the Bible as a way not to face them. The Table is for us as Men.
Again, Please read the guidelines carefully and pray for strength to get started. We love you and this ministry is striving to honor God best by serving you as His Servant. Press onward as Champions!
Your Servants,
paul and linda pickern
| How to Start Your Champion Table | ||
- Find 3 other Pastors who you will agree to meet with every week. These may be Pastors who you are not acquainted with and need to seek out. (4 total is best but you may have to start with less)
- Establish a place and time that works for all.
- Be committed and make attendance a Priority!
- The first few meetings is a time of introduction. Share about your family, What are things you enjoy doing with your wife/children, What are activities you enjoy, where have you lived, when and where were you saved (tell your story), What makes you laugh, cry, angry, shout, sing? etc. Just get acquainted with one another. Find something to laugh about! What is your biggest challenge? Share about YOU! Listen intently to each other!
- Note: Each Champions Table should have someone volunteer to be the Table Captain. This is a commitment to contact each Table member the day before your meeting as a reminder and to keep Table focused.
- After your time of introduction share with the Table any current goals that you feel comfortable sharing. (Marriage, Family, Physical, Household, Personal Improvement, Spiritual Growth, Business, Financial, Health, Education, Ministry, etc.)
- Share any Personal areas of Improvement that you want to be encouraged to achieve.
- Examples: I need to lose 30 pounds, I need to increase my income, I want to write a book, I need to finish school, I need to spend more time with my wife, I need to read more, I need to watch less TV, I need time off/vacation, I have many debts that I need to pay-off, I need to ask/give forgiveness. You get the idea. (Your Table is there to encourage you, cheer you on, not judge or give unrequested advice.)
- Review the “Accountability” Questions and discuss how your Table wants to use these. (You may want to add some or revise them). Ask this. Where do we want to start? How much Accountability does our Table want!? (This will make a big difference in your Table. If you have some who want a high level of accountability and others who do not, be patient. You, who want weekly accountability, go ahead and embrace it by asking the others to hold you accountable. They will soon join you.
- The week everyone decides to sincerely start the journey as “Champions” is a very important week. This is the week you decide to embrace “Accountability as your Personal Guideline to Higher Success”. Do not talk so much that others do not have a chance. You can be silent or open up your heart. Speak with your heart and also listen intentionally. There is a direct relationship in what you give and what you receive.
- Each week set personal and specific goals. You may have one or many goals. Write them down and share with your group. This is your “TO DO LIST”.ASK for Accountability and each week give a progress report. This is not a requirement for the Table only a proven way to help you reach goals while building trust and real friendships!
- End each week by sharing Prayer needs and close with prayer.
Special Note: The Table is not a Bible Study Group or Prayer meeting, you should already be doing that. It is Men getting serious about Real Men issues. (Men meet with Men and Women with Women.)
Please Register Your “Champion Table” to Receive On-Going Information: www.allpropastors.org
The Champions Table
“As Iron Sharpens Iron, so one Man Sharpens Another” (Proverbs 27:17)
Suggested Weekly “Accountability Questions”
(The Table Captain will be responsible for How these are Administered at the Table)
(You should use first names and avoid titles. Dr., Bishop, Pastor, etc).
- How have I done on my weekly “TO DO’S”?
- Have I spent enough personal time in God’s word and in prayer?
- Have I met my wife/children’s need for LOVE each day (Words of encouragement and appreciation; Hugs, touches and intimacy; acts of kindness and service; my personal time and attention; gifts of love? What would they say?
- Have I prayed with my spouse every day?
- Have I gotten angry, talked ugly, lost control or broken fellowship with anyone?
- Have I had any flirtatious or lustful attitudes, tempting thoughts, wandering eyes or exposed myself to any explicit materials (TV, Internet, Mag. Etc) which would not glorify God?
- Did anyone in/from my church tempt me (wandering eyes) or approach me in an inappropriate manner? What did I do?
- Have I been completely above reproach in my financial dealings? Have I been honest with my spouse about my spending?
- Have I treated my body as God’s Temple? (Health, Exercise, Weight)
- ( Have I lied in any of my answers?)
- YOUR TABLE MAY WANT TO WRITE YOUR OWN ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTIONS AND CHANGE THE ORDER. THE TABLE IS YOURS. YOU MUST DECIDE HOW CHALLENGING AND TRANSPARENT YOU WANT IT TO BE. IT MAY TAKE A FEW WEEKS! OVER TIME THESE MAY CHANGE.
Ask This Question: What am I going to do about it this week?
Now is the time to write our weekly “TO DO’s”. These are specific actions I am planning to do before our next “Table”. I am asking my fellow Champions to challenge me and encourage me to succeed? I must be Specific!
If you always do what you have always done you will always get what you have always gotten and continue to be what you have always been!
Action with Faith can Achieve Anything
Champion Table Foundational Scriptures
(Accountability)
Proverbs 27:17
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
17 Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.
(A Friends Counsel)
Proverbs 27:9
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, So a [a]man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.
(Several Counselors)
Proverbs 15:22
New King James Version (NKJV)
22 Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
(Four Went Together)
Matthew 17:1
New King James Version (NKJV)
1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;
(Four Worked Together)
Exodus 17:12-13
New King James Version (NKJV)
12 But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
(Friends Lift Each other Up and Stand Strong)
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
(Friends Share the Load)
Galatians 6:1-3
The Message (MSG)
Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.
(A True Friend You Can Trust!)
Proverbs 18:24
The Message (MSG)
24 Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.
(A Friend Walks with us through our Challenges!)
Proverbs 17:17
New King James Version (NKJV)
17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
WEBSITE: WWW.ALLPROPASTORS.ORG E-MAIL: CHAMPION@ALLPROPASTORS.ORG
