These days there is a much discussion on what the Church is to look
like. Some folks are very outspoken in their views, almost militant!
Are there things wrong with the Church today? You got that right
Mister! Is God being rocked off His throne by these wrongs? Nah, not in
the least bit!
Corinne
and I have traveled what we call the, "Highway to Revival" over the
past 12 years or so. We've ministered in many churches, large and
small, even good and bad. One thing we soon decided on was that if we
were ever to be pastors of a local church again, we would have a ton of
knowledge that we could apply in how to make that church a great one.
We felt that we still did not have all of the answers on how to "do
church" right, but we had vast information on how NOT to "do church!"
We learned much by viewing others mistakes. Some today are saying that
a church should meet in a home setting and call themselves a "Simple
Church." Others say that buildings are still necessary. Still others
say that there should not be pastors, at least paid pastors. Others say
that it's important to call them by their title, often, "Apostle." I
have many friends who vow that the structure of the Church as we know
it today is about to fall, actually crash and burn. Some state
emphatically that the Church as we know it today is a very "old
wineskin."
Well
here is what is happening with us. In November of last year we were
asked to hold meetings in a traditional pentecostal/charismatic church
in Florida. The meetings extended and soon we found ourselves talking
to the pastor about us relieving him of his position for 6 months while
he took a much needed sabbatical. In January of this year we took over
this church. Then in February we were made permanent full time pastors.
This church was about to close its doors. The people were as burned out
as the pastor was. Many more were about to jump ship. We immediately
began to institute radical changes, much to the chagrin of the experts
who suggest that a new pastor does not muddy the water of a church too
quickly. We had to muddy the water and do it quick, for the sake of
church survival. We began immediately affirming the people, telling
them that this church was "their church" and that they were to take
ownership of it. We taught over and again that the Church was NOT the
building, but them. We began to release them into ministry, encouraging
them to minister to each other. We began to teach about covenant
relationships and spoke all of the time about "advancing the Kingdom of
God." Slowly we began to watch distrusting, wary faces, become faces of
excited people as they began to see themselves as God sees them.
Soon
something very interesting began to take place, we began to fall in
love with our people! I really mean this! We actually began to fall in
love with them! Then we began to sense that they were falling in love
with us too! Now we are actually observing them falling in love with
each other! Yesterday was a prime example. Corinne preached a powerful
word. After she began to prophetically minister to the people who came
forward. While this was taking place, I was sitting on a chair, caught
up in the love of the Lord, grinning like a Cheshire Cat! One Sister
said, "You sure are enjoying watching this aren't you?" She hit it
right on the head with that statement, I was having the time of my
life! One thing happened that summed it all up for me....Two sisters
were on the floor, kneeling and crying like babies. These gals were
separated in age by about 40 years. The younger of the two, several
months ago, had made the statement that there were not too many people
her age in the church. Well, age didn't matter yesterday as I saw these
two begin to love and minister to each other. One ministered to the
other and more tears flowed. They hugged each other for several minutes
and then the other began to minister to the other, and more tears
flowed. Suddenly age had no bearing on anything, as they were both
giving and receiving ministry. And I didn't do a thing but just watch
and enjoy every precious moment! They were loving each other!
I'm
coming to a conclusion, that it doesn't matter what type of church you
have, Simple, Institutional, Traditional, etc., etc., If the leadership
is not allowing ministry to flow and is not dependent on the Holy
Spirit, then nothing will work right. Our church, New Beginnings
Fellowship in Hernando, Florida is a special place! (our website,
copy/paste it into your browser as this blog platform does not allow
hyperlinks: http://www.nbfhernando.com) God is moving in power, but I'm
observing something very special take place. I'm watching this group of
people begin to fulfill the calling that God has on their lives. Lately
I've been talking about, "The New Beginnings Miracle!" This part of
Florida is about to explode in Holy Ghost Revival! The Kingdom of God
is about to be advanced in powerful ways! Folks, this goes so far
beyond "church as usual!" Here's the deal, I want to be right in the
middle of this imminent move of God! The vision of our church is to be
there too! Even more, our vision is to take Citrus County, Florida by
storm! Here's the neat thing... I really believe that this is going to
happen! I feel that is why God brought two Revivalists off the "Highway
to Revival" and settled them in a local church. I tell people all of
the time that I'm still a Revivalist first, pastor second!
So...to the Church in Florida, I say, "Hold onto your hats, you are about to take the ride of your life!"
More Lord! Oh, and to quote a pastor friend of mine, "I love my job!"
Kingdom blessings!
Larry