Are Spirit-filled churches becoming “typical?”

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I've given leadership to revival-style churches and ministries for decades. It's grieving how few Spirit-filled churches are truly taking people unapologetically into the depths of surrender to Jesus. Instead, the preference is to grow wide and shallow in the hopes that the seats stay full, the money keeps coming in and the programs are staffed.

Of course, the majority of churches, Charismatic included, aren't pretending to be concerned about revival at all. 

The cost is too high. The chances are too slim.

To most, it's not worth it.

The truth is, revival churches don't see dramatic impact, big crowds and overwhelming wonders in the early stages. The wells of revival must be dug. The hours of prayer must be invested. Repentance, consecration and a radical devotion of time must be constant. Few are willing to buy in at this level, and pastors know it.

The preferred church growth method is to create a “healthy, vibrant” atmosphere that's focused on meeting needs and fulfilling expectations. The shock and awe of God's glory is traded for a more naturally familiar environment that's sprinkled with some worship, teaching and fellowship. Nothing too deep, expensive or disruptive.

Nine key differences between typical churches and revival churches:

1. Typical Church: Participation is emphasized
   Revival Church: Consecration is emphasized
   
   In a revival church, the focus is radical surrender to Jesus. Simple church attendance does little to advance the vision of dramatic, supernatural, regional impact. A revival-style church would be happier with 50 people going deep in the Holy Spirit than 500 attending, giving and serving.
   
   
2. Typical Church: Prayer is rare
   Revival Church: Prayer is constant
   
   Prayer is the primary call of all. A supernatural culture of intercession burns nonstop. No authentic revival has been initiated without first developing a foundation of unceasing and effective prayer. Without the intensity of intercession, revival churches cannot exist.
   
   
3. Typical Church: Church growth is the goal
   Revival Church: Regional revival is the goal
   
   Revival church leaders don’t care about the numerical growth. Their eyes are on the city. They understand the Gideon principle. Fewer devoted people keenly focused on revival is powerfully effective.
   
   
4. Typical Church: Relationships are a key focus
   Revival Church: Relationships are a byproduct
   
   Authentic relationships are developed in the foxhole at revival-style churches. The mission is the main thing. Relationships result as consecrated people put differences aside and contend for revival with military precision.
   
   
5. Typical Church: Demons remain hidden
   Revival Church: Demons are exposed
   
   At risk of offending those in attendance, leaders will discern haunting, taunting spirits and expel them. They train the body to do the same and wouldn’t think of hiding the dramatic moments of freedom from others in the service.
   
   
6. Typical Church: Encouragement driven
   Revival Church: Prophetically driven
   
   Prophetic messages will at times cut, offend, correct and challenge. Those who respond will be encouraged as they blow through limitations. Revival churches are equipping an army. Revival soldiers endure radical transformation in order to be made ready.
   
   
7. Typical Church: Driven by expectations
   Revival Church: Establishes expectations
   
   Revival churches get their vision and strategy from the prayer room. They refuse to buy into the “tried and true” methods of building a church. Many will be turned off by revival churches as their demands go unmet. The rest will come alive and burn hot on the battlefield.
   
   
8. Typical Church: One-stop shop
   Revival Church: Specialized ministry
   
   Revival leaders encourage people to draw from other churches and ministries. This allows them to remain focused on their specific part of the city-wide vision. Revival leaders make no apology about being laser-focused and allowing other needs to be met by other ministries in the city.
   
   
9. Typical Church: A family gathering
   Revival Church: A school of fire
   
   Those in revival churches find themselves groaning in intercession, crying out to God, repenting with passion and getting baptized in holy fire most every day. 

For a more comprehensive understanding of this message, listen to the podcast HERE.