You write: “Revivals come and go – we have no influence over them – and, so all we are meant to do is, to “do church”… Consequently, we shut our eyes to spiritual dynamics and hang onto the wheel driving the church like any other human organisation. We might even pray and ask God to bless our plans and programs. But they are our plans and programs, not his – they didn’t come from his Spirit, but from our own skill and training.”

It seems to me that just about no other error more permeates the traditional Church environment more than this one. I’m glad you are confronting it!

When the authority in Jesus’ Church shifted from Jesus to strong charismatic leaders, who developed their own agenda, so also was seeded into the Church the notion that man, apart from intimate spiritual connection with the Head, could actually build the Church and not lead it away from Jesus. Such foolishness has taken its twists and turns throughout the centuries, but if we are to see it restored and beyond restored, then we must be a people who ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to move forward apart from a clear revived connection with Christ and His prophetic guidance through His body.

We simply cannot “do” the work of the ministry, apart from solid connections to Him. If the only way that worked for Jesus, was to see the Father and act on that basis, then nothing short of this will work for us.

If the current reformation devolves into just another “House Church Denomination,” it will be because men got a revelation from Christ, and ran with it on their own. Our only hope for this not happening is to refuse to move forward apart from continuous revelation, and a revelation confirmed in the mouths and hearts of many spiritual witnesses who have a similar passion for prayer and Spirit led activity.

If we don’t learn to “see Jesus,” as Jesus “saw the Father,” then we are doomed to repeat Church history’s failures. True leadership cannot be based on intellect, writing skills, and charismatic personalities, alone. They must be based on deep lives of connected prayer. I have no trust for men whose knees have no callouses, whose hands evidence no wringing from agonizing in His presence, and whose shoes are not worn out from pacing before Him. When I look for developing leaders these days, to walk closely with in the things of God, I look first and foremost for men who cannot live without intimacy with Him. Evidence passion for Jesus alone or I’m afraid of you.

Take us further on this theme brother…we look forward to your next installment!

Blessings!
Tom