The Church
Local church/City church – The coming reformation
When I was leading Revolution House of Prayer in Manitou Springs, Colorado, a common theme was the establishment of the city church. I outlined this concept on the white boards there and we prayed into it fairly regularly.
Here’s a twelve minute podcast on this topic that will help you understand and also pray into the coming shift in Detroit. I write about this in my book 20 Elements of Revival as well.
http://www.cinchcast.com/praytherevolution/1769.mp3
In this City church model we’ll see local churches take on the identity of departments of the larger City church. People will participate at a high level at a primary local church and at lesser yet significant levels at a variety of other ministries.
This will enable one church to focus intently on the few callings in the primary giftings they have been given, while allowing other churches to function in their specific callings and giftings. Churches no longer have to attempt to cover every base. As we work together on a city level we can pool our strengths and giftings.
Someone may primarily be involved in a local church that mainly focuses on evangelism, while also attending other churches on other days and nights of the week that are geared toward teaching, youth, pastoral care, etc.
A great example is the house of prayer movement. They pray as their primary focus. People attend the house of prayer while also attending other churches at different points during the week.
Here’s a simple diagram of this idea from the vantage point of Manitou Springs, Colorado. We’ll see people involved in several different churches and ministries every week. I see this idea coming to Detroit and other cities as well. You can see the larger, easier to read version at http://praytherevolution.com/images/Manitou-Springs-Vision-Map.gif
A trembling and a searing burning is coming to the church of Detroit
First, check out our new website for Revival Church. We may be holding our Sunday evening services at the First United Methodist Church on Greater Mack, so stay tuned for updates. The website is www.detroitrevivalchurch.com.
"The coming moves of God will require nothing short of a revolution of our current structures, models and mindsets. Not an adjustment or an enhancement, but deep reform. The resulting fire and presence of the Holy Spirit will cause us to marvel and wonder why we ever resisted at all."- John Burton
I’m deeply provoked. While I understand the value of due process, something deep within can’t shake the prophetic cry for sudden reformation in our churches.
God zealously loves the church, and I’m convinced he loves it too much to allow it to remain in its current form without some divine pressure.
The church must change. Now. The picture of Amy above is key. She mentioned that revival will only come to Detroit if we go to the place of agony, of groans and visibly shaking screams from our spirit. We must press like Amy did when she was contending for the life of our daughter on stage in Lakeland. Look at her face and never forget it.
I bet I’ve heard similar messages hundreds of times over the last ten years or so, yet we still resort to the familiar.
I simply can’t shake this. Nor do I want to. A burning is coming to Detroit, and we must be contending for it to arrive sooner than later.
This burning will threaten more than most of us are willing to risk. As churches raise the bar, intercede night and day, stimulate the heavy activity of the Holy Spirit and embrace an “I couldn’t care less” John the Baptist style disposition that cries continually for the arrival of Jesus- many will leave. Many will be offended. People we rely on to run our programs, to pay their tithes. Everything is at risk- money, people, reputation, 401ks, mortgage payments- everything.
However, the remnant who aren’t in it for their on security or satisfaction or affirmation will die daily and contend in unity for Jesus to arrive in power.
We, as simple and weak humans, are going to do our best to allow God to form Revival Church with all of this in mind. I believe it’s important for all of us to be in position, fully on fire and ready to burn night and day.
Detroit needs prophetic, cross-bearing churches on fire, night and day, in order for this revival to hit.
Pray for reformation. Pray against the American culture and calendar that has demanded submission. Pray for radical transformation in the church- from the way we pray, to the children’s ministry to the increase of white hot fire in the midst of our events. Pray for an end to Sunday only church. Pray for an end for the need for ‘seeker’ ministry as the flames of God’s fire transform these people in the midst of a shaking, trembling Upper Room style church.
And, in addition to praying for it- let’s just do it. We’re not waiting on God. We don’t have to convince him of the need for revival. He’s waiting on us to just do it.