Episode 14: Part 2: Manifestations of the Spirit: Being you, Being Weird, and Loving Well

Summary

The podcast episode from Between Heaven and Earth, hosted by Justin and Amy Howard, explores the intersection of spiritual manifestations, ministry, and the Holy Spirit’s work in daily life and church communities. The conversation dives into understanding physical manifestations of spiritual power, distinguishing between immature and disobedient ministry expressions, and processing personal wounds from “weird” or harmful ministry experiences. The hosts emphasize love as the core motive of Christian ministry, cautioning against rigid “formulaic” approaches and encouraging discernment rooted in grace and compassion. They share stories illustrating how God’s power can work through imperfect people, highlighting the importance of recognizing God’s love beyond human flaws. The discussion encourages believers to cultivate a hunger for more of the Spirit’s work, to embrace risky obedience out of love, and to develop mature leadership that fosters safe spaces for growth without enabling chaos. They advocate for healthy liturgical structures that facilitate encounters with the Holy Spirit without demanding emotional extremes, stressing the importance of both order and openness to spontaneous Spirit-led moments. The episode concludes by urging listeners who have been hurt to engage in forgiveness and healing, nurture personal discernment, and lean on community and professional help where necessary. Ultimately, it calls Christians to courageously live as a vibrant, Spirit-led community that embodies the love and power of God in everyday life.

Highlights

• 🌟 Love is the ultimate aim of ministry, shaping how spiritual gifts and obedience manifest.
• 🔥 Physical manifestations of the Spirit’s power, including healing, should be expected and embraced in whole-person experiences.
• 💔 Forgiveness and healing are crucial for those hurt by immature or harmful ministry practices.
• 🤔 Distinguishing between immaturity and disobedience in ministry fosters grace and accountability.
• 🌿 Cultivating a hunger for the Holy Spirit’s presence is essential for spiritual growth and revival.
• 🕊️ Healthy liturgy balances order and openness, creating space for Spirit encounters without chaos.
• 🤝 Community, prayer, and professional support can help believers process wounds and deepen their relationship with God.

Key Insights

• 💖 Love as the Fulfillment of the Law and Ministry’s Foundation: The hosts repeatedly underscore that loving God and loving others are the fulfillment of God’s law—the central “main thing” in ministry. This means ministry must be shaped not by formulas or performance but by genuine love, embodied in patience, humility, and grace. Misguided approaches driven by pride, fear, or control hinder the true flow of the Spirit and harm relationships. Love becomes the litmus test that validates spiritual experiences and leadership effectiveness.

• 🌬️ Physical and Emotional Manifestations Reflect a Whole-Person Encounter With God: Justin and Amy assert that Christian experience is holistic, involving body, mind, and spirit. Manifestations such as healing or emotional renewal are biblically grounded and meant to be normal, not aberrations limited to fringe groups. Embracing these expressions leads believers into wholeness and a tangible experience of God’s kingdom among us.

• 🩹 Navigating Hurt from Abusive or Disruptive Ministry: A significant part of the discussion deals with addressing pain caused by ministry that was immature, sinful, or manipulative. The hosts advocate intentional forgiveness as a release, alongside a season of healing often requiring community and professional help. This approach recognizes the reality of trauma and encourages a pathway toward restoration rather than bitterness or judgment.

• ⚖️ Differentiating Immaturity From Disobedience Is Crucial for Spiritual Maturity: Not all “weird” behaviors or unexpected manifestations reflect disobedience. Some reflect immaturity—a normal phase in growth requiring patient correction. Labeling immature expressions as disobedience can stifle growth and alienate people. Properly assessing situations with compassion, asking probing questions, and guiding with grace can transform environments into places where people feel safe to “fail forward.”

• 🔥 Risky Obedience Out of Love Spurs Spiritual Breakthroughs: The podcast shares a story highlighting God’s power working through someone immature and flawed, emphasizing that God’s healing is motivated by His love for broken people, not human perfection or credentials. Risky obedience—acting in faith with a loving heart even if it feels unconventional—is contrasted with unloving actions driven by formulaic or manipulative motives.

• 🎶 Liturgy as a Vessel for Encountering God, Balancing Order With Openness: The hosts challenge the notion that Spirit-led worship must always be spontaneous or emotionally intense. They argue for thoughtful, well-crafted liturgies that encompass inclusive, predictable structures allowing congregants to engage in worship beyond fluctuating feelings. This rhythm provides stability and invites deeper, long-term transformation while remaining open to the Spirit’s surprises.

• 🛡️ Discernment and Healthy Boundaries Are Essential Leadership Attributes: Effective leaders must cultivate a keen discernment that navigates between chaos and control, loving the Spirit’s movement without enabling dysfunction. They must understand their own limits, practice self-awareness about control and judgment tendencies, and set boundaries that allow others to grow safely. This leadership fosters maturity and a community culture where Spirit-led revival can thrive sustainably.

• 🌱 Spiritual Hunger and Poverty of Spirit Are Vital for Growth: Echoing Jesus’ Beatitudes, the hosts highlight that a “poverty of spirit”—a humble acknowledgment of need and desire for the Spirit’s work—is fundamental for receiving God’s kingdom. Lack of spiritual hunger may reflect underlying wounds, anger, or complacency, but God invites all to ask continually for “more,” and responding to this hunger paves the way for revival and deeper intimacy with God.

• 🤝 Community Support and Professional Resources Enhance Healing and Growth: The conversation recognizes that past wounds or spiritual blockages may require outside help, such as counseling or coaching, especially from Christian practitioners who understand faith dynamics. Embracing healing as a journey and inviting others into that process reduces isolation and strengthens spiritual resilience.

• 🎯 The Holy Spirit Is Lord Equally With Father and Son, Invited to Increase in Every Believer’s Life: The hosts emphasize the need to welcome the Holy Spirit fully into our spiritual lives, beyond mere intellectual assent to Jesus or God the Father. They encourage believers to seek a fuller conversion to the Spirit, trusting Him as the giver of life who leads into freedom, power, and love, demonstrating the Trinitarian nature of God’s work.

Conclusion

This episode is a rich, pastoral reflection on how Christians can navigate the complexities of Spirit-led ministry today, discerning true move of God amidst human frailty and cultural expectations. By rooting everything in love, fostering spiritual hunger, practicing forgiveness, cultivating healthy liturgy, and embracing risky—but loving—obedience, followers of Jesus can build authentic communities where heaven and earth meet. The encouragement to seek out both personal and communal healing, combined with the call for mature leadership and open-hearted Spirit-led worship, offers a practical and hopeful roadmap for renewal and revival in contemporary faith expressions.