DEAD TO FLESH RECORDS NO LONGER A RECORD LABEL? For so many years people have gotten the delegations and duties mixed up when it pertains to a record label and a ministry, trying to have both co-exist under one name yet the focus is on one part of it music. Very few labels/ministries have truly been able to embrace both sides of the fence (shot out to Urban D and Crossover Church for embracing both) without faltering to the side most captivated with the world and its temptations and Dead To Flesh Records is no different, or at least it wasn t. Shows, concerts, music events, award shows, CD sales, internet rankings, money, merchandise, and of course fan familiarity, have found its way to the top of reasons and answers to our most famous question Why do we do what we do? And although the answer is obvious in interviews and in the public eye to protect an image we think we have A. We do it for God our true intentions are scrapped away little by little every time we pop our collars, brush our shoulders off, put on some oversized sunglasses, and get on stage to become fascinated by how many people know your songs and are feeling you Loyal Music is such a powerful tool to use to spread the word of our Lord though the type of music that today s generation listen to is for some reason not allowed in the church. Yes I am talking about hip-hop. Hip-hop is a genre of music, like all genres that have been used to promote sex, drugs, violence, racism, all these temptations used by the devil himself to get into our heads in a world we try so hard to run away from that we resort to our headphones, our music. Yet, even when music is used in a positive and uplifting manner, its success can be our biggest downfall for we are our worse enemy, fame is a drug all on its own to where looking in the mirror at yourself can be addicting and that is where the line must be drawn. The amount of fans you have on myspace or the amount you are paid per show cannot dictate your behavior as Christians/religious music artists. We are first ministers and soldiers of Christ and that vision is starting to become lost. How many can really say that This music ain t my life, I took the word to the block -Loyal, or this music is nothing, you can cut my microphone cord -Ill P (formerly known as L-ill Prophet), and actually go out there and talk to people about God. Preaching is one thing but that doesn t reach everyone, actually taking the time to talk to people, forget that your name is GodSnt, Loyal, Masheti Moses, Commissary, Reason, for the image portrayed is not who you are, but what you can be. Who you are is the person God put in a particular moment to speak to someone who needs to hear your perspective because that is what you are meant to do. Loyal is Larry and Larry is the minister who reaches those of all
ages before and after Loyal gets on stage to portray Larry s words through a mic and a beat. As a label, Dead To Flesh Records Inc. and others are merely just a name, but as a ministry it becomes a powerful movement of God that can branch out into different avenues with different ways to reach God s children, and music can pave the way if used as the Lord has instructed you to do. Scriptural blogs, posted by Reason of Dead To Flesh/Gods Armor ministries on myspace.com. A hip-hop street team led by Mashetimoses and Loyal in Orlando Fl. The heart filled fellowship experience with Trinity Tocar can be all a person needs; just the right nudge in the Lords direction. As entertainers, their talents are completely different, but as ministers in Christ, they compliment each other and become one unit, one purpose, unified in Christ and taking it to the streets where people really need it, not just the airwaves. Dead To Flesh Records is a body of Christ and like any body; it had to be sculpted and molded, scrapped and chipped, polished and waxed to become what God has intended it to be. No longer a record label, Dead To Flesh focus is on development of Gods children, talking to those on a personal level who don t know about God, who are confused and need understanding, taking the Good Word to the streets and to those who are not in the church, letting them know that there is an option, there is a positive alternative to the lives they are living, that God is real and He is there, waiting for their love for that is all that He ask for. Dead To Flesh is a life style that we are all trying to obtain, trying to live our lives right in the Lords eyes. Although DTF still has its artists such as Loyal, Reason, and Trinity Tocar, ANYONE can be DEAD TO FLESH! If you believe that with God all things are possible, then you are DEAD TO FLESH. If you are a follower of God, whether new or seasoned, then you my friends...are DEAD TO FLESH. It is a movement designed to unify the body of Christ, not just its musical partners. I Hope Ya ll Ready For This happens to be the company motto, but it is a powerful statement at the same time. I hope ya ll ready for the love, the knowledge, the passion, and the life that will be opened to you with the grace of God.
DEAD TO FLESH RECORDS [Artist Guiding Principles for Ministry] These guiding principles are not just "Pharisee rules" at our church to "strangle" or "limit" you as an artist from being who God created you to be. It is designed to be a four-way win situation. 1. The win for the non-believer: First, they get a heart-to-heart representation of the Father and Christ from you, the artist, as a testimony and glorious witness. Second, this in turn could draw them into a relationship with God through Christ and Their Kingdom. Thirdly, into the fellowship of the Spiritual body of Christ--the Church. Finally into participation of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, leadership, spiritual warfare, and evangelism at M.I.C. Assembly or any other local church body in the future. 2. The win for the believer: They get an idea, vision, or revelation of a possible future personal ministry and outreach. They are also protected from possible "wolves" who want to just jump on the stage and corrupt their minds and hearts with false doctrine and beliefs, thus subverting whatever potential they could have had if you, the artist (and your fruit, or lack thereof) was carefully "tried" and "tested." 3. The win for M.I.C. Assembly leadership: We get credibility and trust added in Christ's name as men able to lead God's flock. Both the believer and non-believer in our congregation and community will be inspired and confirmed in their hearts that God is truly with us and that He is directing all of our decisions. 4. The win for the artist(s): You get Scriptural principles and edification from us on how to conduct yourself, not only at M.I.C. Assembly but wherever you perform. You get to take a little of God's influence on us with you, which in turn will make you more like Christ, people-sensitive, and more caring for God's flock wherever you should minister at. Thus all of the above will in turn bring glory to God the Father verifying that Christ was truly working in you. HOW JESUS ATTRACTED CROWDS One of the impressive characteristics of Jesus' ministry was that He attracted crowds. Large crowds. Enormous crowds! The King James Version calls them "multitudes." The crowds Jesus attracted were so huge that at one time He was almost crushed by one.
"... But as He went the people thronged [Gk: 'to strangle completely, i.e. (literally) to drown, or (figuratively) to crowd:--choke, throng'] Him." (Luke 8:42). Seekers loved to listen to Him and thronged to wherever He was, even if it meant traveling a long distance. When Jesus fed the 5,000, that number counted only men. "And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside [Gk: 'separately or apart from:--beside, without'] women and children." (Matthew 14:21). When you add women and children who must have been there too, there may have been more than 15,000 in attendance at that service! Jesus' ministry had a magnetic quality about it. A Christ-like ministry still attracts crowds. You don't have to use gimmicks or compromise your convictions to gather a crowd. You don't have to water down God's Message. I've found that you don't even need a church building to draw a crowd! But you, as an artist, do have to minister to people the Way Jesus did. What attracted large crowds to Jesus' ministry? Jesus did three things with crowds: He loved them; He met there needs; and He taught them in interesting and practical ways These same three ingredients will attract crowds today. The M.I.C. Assembly/Dead To Flesh Records Artist Covenant Having openly confessed Jesus Christ as my Lord (including all that He stands for) and my personal Saviour, believing and receiving into my heart that God has raised Him from the dead, and having been baptized by the Spirit unto His death, into His body, and being in agreement with the universal Spiritual body of Christ and God's local church government--called M.I.C. Assembly, with their statements, strategy, and structure, I now feel led by God's Spirit to unite with the M.I.C. Assembly church family of God and Dead To Flesh Records. In doing so, having counted the cost of discipleship, I commit myself to God and to the other members of God's local church to do the following: 1. I will commit to being a disciple of Christ of my church... by continuing in Christ's Word--the Apostles Doctrine (John 8:31-32, RAPV).... by loving other disciples of Christ as Christ loved them (2nd Corinthians
8:4-5, John 13:34-35, The Message Remix).... by bearing much fruit that remains which in turn glorifies the Father (John 15:8 & 20, NKJV). 2. I will protect the unity of my church... by putting others ahead of myself (Romans 14:19, The Message Remix & 1st Peter 1:22, RAPV).... by refusing to gossip (Ephesians 4:29, RAPV).... by following the examples of the leaders (Hebrews 13:17, RAPV).... by submitting all music to either the apostolic or prophetic ministry to determine if music is biblically sound in doctrine and edifying for the listeners (1st Corinthians 14:1-4 & 29-33; 1 John 4:1, 5-6; 1st Thessalonians 5:21-24; 1st Timothy 6:3-6). 3. I will share the responsibility of my church... by praying for its growth (1st Thessalonians 1:1-2, KJV).... by inviting the community into our gatherings (Luke 14:23, KJV).... by warmly welcoming those who are visiting as guests (Romans 15:7, RAPV & John 6:37, RAPV). 4. I will serve the ministry of my church... discovering my gifts and talents (Ephesians 5:17, RAPV & 1st Peter 4:10, The Message Remix).... by being equipped to serve under God's leaders and Christ's supervision (Ephesians 4:11-12, KJV).... by developing a servant's heart (Philippians 2:3-8, The Message Remix). 5. I will support the testimony of my church... by living faithfully within and outside our gatherings (Hebrews 10:25, KJV & Philippians 1:27 & 29, RAPV).... by living a godly life (2nd Tim. 3:12-13).... by living generous with all that God gives me (1st Corinthians 16:1-2; Philippians 4:15-19; Romans 15:26-29; Matt. 5:42 & 10:8b; Rom. 15:26-27, J. B. Phillips Translation; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35 & 2 Cor. 9:6-7). 6. As an artist (whether on a stage or through audio music) I will minister to people (believers and non-believers) the way Jesus did... by loving them the way Jesus did (Matt. 9:36; 1st John 4:8; 1st Corinthians 13:1 & 5:9-12).... by meeting their needs (Matt. 15:30; Luke 6:17-18; John 6:2; James 2:15-16).... by teaching them in interesting and practical ways (Matt. 7:28, 13:34, 22:33; Mark 10:1, 11:18, 12:37; Luke 4:18-19,10:37; John 10:10, 12:49; Eph. 4:29; 2 Cor. 11:3).... by speaking God's Word through music in an understandable way (2 Cor. 3:4-6 & 12-13; 1 Cor. 14:5-9 & 23-26; Mark 4:33; 1st Thessalonians 2:2-
9).... by adapting your style to your audience without mixing with them (John 4; Luke 10:8; 1st Corinthians 9:19-22; Acts 22:1-21; 26:1-23). 7. As a New Covenant artist I will speak only... The unadulterated Word of God (2 Cor. 2:17; 1 Thess. 2:1-8).... The Gospel of the KINGDOM of God (Luke 16:16; Mark 1:1-3, 14-15 & 21-22; Matthew 13:33).... The things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12; 20:25, 21; 28:23, 30-31).... The apostle's doctrine (Acts 2:42; Romans 2:16, 16:25; 2nd Timothy 1:13; 2:2, 8; John 17:20; Rev. 12:11).... The Spirit and speak life of the New Covenant not the Old Covenant written on stone (2 Cor. 3:5-6; John 6:63). There is one more very important Scripture that should go in this group and that is 1st Tim. 5:8 & 1st Timothy 3: "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith, and worse than an infidel [Gk: 'a disbeliever, i.e. without Christ faith, specifically a heathen, untrustworthy (person), incredible (thing), him that believeth not, faithless, unbeliever']." ============================================================= ================================================ MY MINISTERIAL CODE OF ETHNICS Believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and proclaiming Him Lord and SAVIOUR OF THE WHOLE WORLD, I reaffirm my vows as a SERVANT and ordained minister. Through dedication ad discipline I will lead and serve with integrity. Relying on God's Spirit, His love, His power, and His grace, I commit myself to the following: Personal Conduct: witnessing to the ministry of Jesus Christ; dedicating time, strength, vitality and energy for effective ministry; growing in faith, knowledge, perspective, conviction, character, skills, and practice of ministry through spiritual disciplines, study, continuing education and service; living a life that honors my commitments to my family, including the need for privacy and time together; taking time for physical and spiritual renewal, recreation and vacation; being a faithful steward of God's gifts to me by managing time, talents and all (plus financial) resources responsibly and generously; accepting responsibility for al debts which I incur;
keeping physically and emotionally fit and refraining from substance abuse and other abusive behaviors; using my position, power and authority in non-exploitive ways; maintaining high moral standards in my sexual behavior; regarding all persons with equal respect and concern and undertaking to minister impartially. Relationships to the Church That I Serve: nurturing and offering my gifts for the ministry to the church; calling forth and nurturing the gifts of others in the church and joining their gifts with mine for the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ and the health and growth of the church; preaching and teaching the Good News of the Coming Kingdom of God, the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the New Covenant without fear or favor and speaking the truth in love; administering the spiritual sacrifices, gifts, offerings, and services upon the New Covenant Altar of the church with integrity and not for financial gain; working cooperatively and uncompetitively with those whom I serve in the particular ministry to which I have been called; administering the corporate finances of the church with personal integrity; refraining from accepting any gift which would compromise the church's ministry; honoring all confidences which come to me in my role as minister and refraining from gossip; encouraging and participating in the regular evaluation of my ministry and cooperating with the Regional Ministry Center/Church in the periodic review of my ministerial standing; seeking the counsel of the 5 Fold Regional Ministers should divisive tensions threaten my relationship with those I serve. Relationships to Ministry Contemporaries: engaging in New Covenantal relationships with contemporaries or peers in my generation which involve nurture, discipline, family support, vigorous dialogue, mutual teaching/learning and spiritual structure and pattern; supporting contemporaries or peers in my generation in ministry and their families while not exploiting their problems or crisis; performing leadership services within another congregation or services for a member of another congregation only at the invitation of the governing leadership administration of that congregation supporting and at no time speaking maliciously of the ministry of my predecessor or another minister in the congregation in which I hold membership; supporting and at no time recognizing a charge against a 5 fold minister, an elder, or any leader in the governing administration unless it is
supported by two or three responsible and credible witnesses; encouraging the ministry of my successor upon my departure or of any kind of leaving from a ministry position, without interfering or intruding and by making it clear to former members that I am no longer their congregational or regional leader. Relationship to the Community and the Universal Church: participating responsibility in the life and work of my community, bearing apostolic/prophetic/teaching/evangelical/pastoral witness to the Good News of the Coming Kingdom of God, the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the New Covenant, working toward a just and morally responsible society; participating faithfully in the life and work of all manifestations of the Kingdom of God, The Body of Christ The New Covenant Church of the Living God; seeking to know, understand and respect the diversity of opinions and people within the Kingdom of God, The Body of Christ The New Covenant Church of the Living God; being a responsible representative or ambassador of the one Body of Christ The New Covenant Church of the Living God and participating in activities that strengthen its unity in Spirit and Truth, witness and mission, worship and magnification, relationship and membership, discipleship and maturity, equipping and edification. M.I.C. ASSEMBLY CHURCH COVENANT Since we have committed ourselves to Jesus Christ and have experienced the acceptance, forgiveness, and redemption of God our Creator and Father, we at M.I.C. Assembly Covenant together as members of this church that with God's help through the guidance of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and the indwelling presence of the Father and the Son through fellowship of their life-giving Spirit: We will together continue in and stand on the foundational Truths and doctrines of God and His Word, also called the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and the New Covenant handed down from heaven by Jesus Christ to and through the Apostles and Prophets. We will walk together in God's and Christ's love. We will show loving care for one another and encourage, counsel, warn, and admonish one another. We will assemble faithfully in spirit and truth for worship and fellowship and will pray earnestly for others, including all government officials worldwide as well as for ourselves. We will endeavor to bring up those under our care "in the nurturing, training, disciplinary corrections, mild rebukes, and warnings of the
Lord." We will by Christ's example and personal effort, to acquaint people with Christ through God's Word and to encourage their spiritual maturity in His knowledge. We will share one another's joys and endeavor to bear one another's burdens and sorrows. We will oppose all conduct that compromises our faith and will uphold high standards of Christ's character. We will "with sound doctrine expose, convict, and correct those whose teachings contradict the Word of God that they may be sound in the faith" and "earnestly fight for the faith once delivered to the saints" by the apostles and prophets. We will prove the reality of our conversion by living godly, fruitful lives while enduring physical and spiritual adversity. We will maintain a faithful balance of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, leadership, spiritual warfare, and evangelism. We will be faithful stewards of our time, talents, abilities, and resources in sharing the Gospel with people of all nations. As a result of this Covenant relationship, we will seek earnestly to live to the glory of God who bought us with His own blood, and brought us out of darkness (Satan's Kingdom, Mystery Babylon, Old Jerusalem below, the Church in the wilderness, Hate, Confusion, Bondage, and Sin) into the marvelous Light (God's Kingdom, Mount Zion, New Jerusalem above, Christ's body the church of God on the Rock, Love, Peace, Liberty, and Righteousness). I have read the above policy and agree to observe the safeguards listed. Signature Date Please print name