Posts Tagged ‘church’
5 Reasons NOT to Leave a Church
People are leaving or changing churches at a record pace—when should we NOT leave a church?
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Ghosting happens at churches every Sunday. Pastors are confused as to why someone has disappeared or why they started attending elsewhere. Process has been violated.
We should never leave a church unannounced.
We should never decide on our own to announce that we are leaving a church.
We should always allow for extended time to discuss the possibility of leaving a church—and openness to staying—with the leader.
Unity around the mission of the church is something Satan cannot risk. The moment people lock arms, take their positions and unify with the Great Commission in front of them, it’s over. He’s done.
An opposing spirit, a spirit of independence, is convincing Christians that it’s time to take control of their lives and forsake the call to gather as the Ekklesia. We must repent, and we must return to position and get ready to move as the alarm sounds.
While there are (rare) times to move from one church to another, I want to share five reasons NOT to leave.
ONE: WHEN YOU DON'T FIT IN
My children would never leave the Burton family if they struggled to fit in, if they were misunderstood or if they were having a bad season of life. My wife wouldn’t either, nor would I. If we see the church as a part of the service industry like McDonald’s or Wal-Mart, we will end up leaving if we don’t feel welcomed or served. However, God plants us in a covenant family, not a shopping center.
What most people really mean when they say, “I don’t fit in at this church,” is that they aren’t enjoying themselves. Possibly, they feel rejected. I find it disturbing when rejection causes people to leave a church when rejection is what propelled Jesus to die and launch the church. Remember, the church isn’t to be there for us as much as we are to be there for the church. The mission of the church is demanding and not always enjoyable and we must be in position ready to work. I guarantee anybody who approaches leadership and offers to serve in the nursery or by cleaning the church would absolutely fit in. Their serving heart makes a place for them.
TWO: WHEN IT'S EASIER FOR YOU TO CONNECT WITH GOD ELSEWHERE
I know this may be a shock, but the primary purpose of the church isn’t to make it easy for you to connect with God. If we understand this, a million arguments against staying at your church will instantly disappear. It’s our job, individually, to develop intimacy with Jesus. If we are dependent on a pastor, worship leader or others to nurture our relationship with Jesus, we’re in big trouble.
Take fire that you’ve cultivated in your own time into the corporate gathering and burn hot. Serve well. Get into position, lock arms, serve the vision and advance the mission.
THREE: THE LEADERS AREN'T DOING THINGS THE WAY I THINK THEY SHOULD
Many people believe leaders should make it easy for people to follow them. I disagree. Church leaders are mandated to lead people into some of the most challenging, risky and costly missions the world has ever known. People should actually make it easy for church leaders to lead them.
People made it hard for Moses to lead them into the Promised Land and they died. They made it easy for Joshua to do the same, and they dominated.
The demand of the people can be so strong sometimes that pastors and leaders forsake their mission. They end up pleasing the people instead of God.
We need to repent for putting inappropriate expectations on leadership.
(Of course, I'm talking about paradigm differences, not severe situations like abuse or other such violations.)
FOUR: WHEN ANOTHER CHURCH HAS BETTER PROGRAMS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
We should never choose a church based on what we can get out of it. We are actually assigned by God himself to serve and build it.
My definition of religion is: Man’s attempt to use God to get what he wants.
When we expect to gain from the church ahead of sacrifice, we are embracing the same spirit that killed Jesus. The spirit of religion wanted to use Jesus for personal gain.
While it's okay to desire your family to thrive spiritually, we put too much emphasis on the church's role. Remember, we are to serve as soldiers in the church, not use it to fulfill our own spiritual desires.
“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
FIVE: WHEN GOD TELLS YOU TO
Have you ever played the God card?
As a leader I’ve heard many times, usually through the grapevine, that, “God told so and so to move to another church.”
Really? That’s odd. I was entrusted as their leader, which is a very serious position, and God just forgot to tell me about this? He left me out of the loop? Maybe Hebrews 13:17 isn’t what we think it is? The church I'm leading isn't important enough for people to honor the mission? They just left because, “God told them to?”
The point is this—most always, God wouldn’t just tell you to leave without your leader being involved in the process. In fact, can I just be blunt? It’s extremely disrespectful, presumptuous, rude and self-serving to abdicate your responsibility in your current church by leaving without honoring the authority in your life. Your pastor has every right to participate with you in your process.
Yes, God may have called you to move on, but there is extensive process required before you do so. An independent spirit would tell you that nobody but God has any say in the matter. That's simply not scriptural. There is too much at stake to drop balls by leaving inappropriately.
The mission is too great, and you are too important to lose to greener grass somewhere else in town.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (ESV) 12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
Prayer-Driven vs. Worship-Driven Churches: The Great Debate
What's on people's church shopping lists?
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The validity of “church-shopping” is a discussion for another day. Suffice it to say, people do it, and they have their lists.
Powerful worship, excellent teaching, a powerful youth ministry and dynamic children's ministry are in the top ten, if not the top five of all-time desires in a church experience. After all, what else is needed? You have deep, overwhelming, supernaturally charged worship and excellence in teaching and family ministries. Based covered.
Oops. We forgot something. Don't fret, though. It's been forgotten for quite some time, especially in today's church.
Intercession. Tongues of fire. Contending in unified decrees, declarations, warfare and passionate eruptions of oracles from heaven. You know, prayer.
DO PASTOR'S EVEN CARE?
In my early years of ministry, I was never asked about my prayer life or intercession strategies when interviewing for open church staff positions.
Many pastors (thankfully, not all) are uncomfortable in the prayer room and will either eliminate it from the culture of the church or minimize it to something less threatening. At best you'll find a group of faithful warriors praying in a glorified janitor's closet down a dark hallway in the church prior to the service. The pastor doesn't typically lead the meeting, much less attend it or even promote it.
If worship is strong and teaching is effective and other ministries are growing, all is well. Sure, they may say prayers at times, but a firehouse of burning intercession is a foreign concept.
WHY WORSHIP IS ADORED AND PRAYER IS A STRUGGLE
ONE: It's all about the experience
If we aren't careful, worship can become more about us than about Jesus. As I'm writing this, I'm pumping my spirit with worship music. Like many, I absolutely love anointed music whether it's in my headphones or in the sanctuary. It's enjoyable. It's edifying. It's emotional.
Prayer, on the other hand, can often be difficult. The cost is greater and the energy necessary to push through can be extreme. Of course, there are different modes of prayer including soaking, meditation, petition and others. From my experience, the greatest impact both for the church and for the individual comes when there's a healthy dose of strategic, informed, prophetic intercession, decrees, declarations and warfare. The breaking power of such prayer is intense.
The tender connection with the Holy Spirit that we might get with musical worship often shifts to a raging internal fire that demands mountains be moved and darkness be invaded. Of course, we aren't choosing between worship and prayer. We need churches to be driven strategically by both with prayer as the foundation.
TWO: There's a lack of equipping in prayer
Worship is easy to understand. Surrender, love, adore and exalt as some beautiful and anointed music fills the room. I'm not saying it always easy to enter in, but the concept of worship is easy to grasp.
The purpose and function of strategic prayer? Not so much.
We need training in what I call Revelation Driven Prayer. How do we hear God's voice? How do we declare prophetically what he's saying? What do we see in Scripture? How should we not prayer? What are the roadblocks?
Exhausting, right? As a prayer freak, I'll admit that it can be a battle. Often it's a war. I've wasted a lot of time and energy in prayer over the years by not praying correctly. If prayer is to be foundational in our churches, equipping in prayer must be equally foundational.
THREE: There's no vision
The concept of “having a vision” isn't something many people think about. Often, people go to church largely based on their desires, not their God-given vision for advancing the Kingdom. Again, they want a satisfying experience with great worship and great ministry. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, though it's tragically limiting. There's so much more.
When prayer-driven churches gather, the focus isn't mostly on giving the people a nice Sunday experience. They have gathered with war in mind. The vision is too intense to be okay with anything less than conquest. Plundering Hell and contending for revival consume their thoughts. Such a vision demands prayer at a level few would ever sign up for.
FOUR: Prayer can be deflating
Regular people don't want to be part of a church that struggles to punch through into the miraculous. Remnant Believers do, however.
A vision of intercession has built into it a resolve to keep pressing, keep prophesying, keep standing in faith until the breakthrough comes. If quick growth, instant wonders and visible impact are required to stay faithful in the place of prayer, most will quit. This is why churches often have to keep the hype going. We need the dopamine hits and the adrenaline rush every Sunday.
FIVE: Tongues are rare
Groans of intercession are required if we want to pray, walk and live in the supernatural. This type of corporate expression is rare as pastors accurately predict that many would run for the exits should it explode in the church.
The Holy Spirit must be invited to rage in our gatherings again! Baptisms in power must be non-stop as people become infused with an other-worldly language of intercession!
PRAYER-DRIVEN CHURCHES ARISE
I've campaigned for churches to eliminate all ministry for at least six months – except for prayer. Bring the worship team down from the platform. Call the youth and children into the auditorium. Shut down everything except for fiery, prophetic prayer in every service and see what happens.
When we return prayer to first place in the church, everything else will start to calibrate with God's design and the power of the Holy Spirit will again manifest.
BURNOUT! Are American pastors too busy?
According to Barna, one third of pastors are considering quitting.
One in five have considered self-harm or suicide within the past year.
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I'm writing this from the SonScape Retreat Center in beautiful Divide, Colorado. The solitude, rest and fun that my wife and I are having along with other ministry couples and the incredible ministry staff is good therapy indeed.
Hard driving, production minded, spiritual leaders often admit they are burning out, losing the passion and considering stepping out of ministry while, at the same time, refusing to stop, breathe and refresh. The idea of a sabbatical never even enters their minds, or, if it does, they are convinced their board would never grant such a request. The only option is to keep working until the fire eventually goes out and families are left emotionally destroyed.
Last night, a former pastor shared a story with me of his desperate need for a short, six-week sabbatical a few years back. Many in his church aggressively campaigned against it, presuming he wasn't worthy of such an extended “vacation.” It went to a vote and his request barely passed. Upon returning, the tide had turned against him in even greater measure, and he resigned on the spot. Forty years of pastoral ministry was over.
We must understand that pastors are often depressed, have high blood pressure, are constantly attacked, poorly supported, in counseling, on medication, suicidal and desperate to quit. Further, pastor's wives are often ripped to shreds by destroyed friendships, gossip against their husbands, manipulative parishioners and nonstop unrest. It quite literally is a pandemic.
Even after three decades of ministry and reaching 55 years of age, I know I have so much to learn. In fact, after a week at SonScape, I'm invigorated, not discouraged, by my past blind spots. The fresh perspectives and input by the leadership team is making me excited about healthy shifts to life and ministry.
The point? Pastors especially need to continually re-sign up, get healed and allow themselves to come alive with what the next season holds.
Barna reports:
Henri Nouwen famously characterized the role of a pastor as being a “wounded healer.” This perspective underscores the importance of congregants, church staff and others actively supporting their spiritual leaders. Such care acknowledges that a pastor’s resilience and well-being are fundamental not only to their personal lives but also to the health of the communities they serve.
We must rest and play.
Sabbath means rest. It also means celebration.
The New Covenant Christian should be living a Sabbath life, playing, celebrating, rejuvenating, and ensuring they are not burning out, fading and emotionally dying. This isn't a Sunday plan of action. It's every day.
Sadly, the families of pastors and ministry leaders are often strained due to the unnecessary and unrealistic demands of the church. Vacations, recreation, turning off the phone and retreating to recharge are fiercely frowned upon by many. Pastors, after all, must be fully available, dead to their own desires and crucified by the demands of the people, right? It's dysfunctional.
When we launched our current ministry, I made it clear that I'd be burning hot and working hard to fulfill the vision God has given me. I also clearly communicated that I would not apologize for tending to my own heart and to my family. Ministry is a major focus, but not the only focus. It's also not the primary focus. I know, that sounds sacrilegious to some.
I let my leadership team know they would have room to grow into key roles in the ministry. When we move out of the way and encourage them to advance in ministry, it's quite powerful. Additionally, I said my family and I would be involved in other ventures on a regular basis. Vacations. Retreats. Recreation. Fun. Rest. Other ministry. Personal growth. The baton of leadership would often be placed in their hands.
Our current trip to Colorado will last three weeks. We've been away from the church several additional weeks this year as well. Additional time away is coming next year. If the church is dependent on me being front and center at every service, my leadership is failing.
I won't apologize for the priorities, and I believe pastors will be well served to adopt the same demeanor.
Schedule rest and fun on your calendar.
Block out significant time every year to disengage fully from the church. No ministry phone calls, no church work and no pastoral responsibilities. Play with your kids, date your spouse and relax.
Do not apologize to anyone. It's time to confront the ridiculous burnout culture in the church.
Preventative maintenance is necessary
The threat of depression, fatigue, disillusionment, health issues, emotional crashes, relational crisis and more severe consequences like heart attacks and marital affairs demand our immediate attention.
If we delete the noise on a regular basis, become unreachable at times, delegate authority and responsibilities and tend to our hearts, the crisis moments will begin to diminish.
I strongly recommend scheduling retreats like the one my wife and I are currently enjoying as often as you can. Our lives have been dramatically impacted here.
Focus on the Family and many other reputable organizations provide preventative maintenance opportunities that focus on everything from your marriage to your emotional health, and so much more.
Classes, workshops, retreats and other helps will strengthen your heart, your family and your ministry.
Churches, invest the money in your pastor.
The church should be budgeting a significant amount of money for self-care. Pastors don't need the added burden of attempting to finance strategies to support their emotional health. Church boards, pay up.
Pay for a month of fun and rest every year for the pastor and his family.
Pay for retreats and workshops several times a year.
Pay for training for other ministry leaders so they can be ready to lead when the pastor is tending to his heart.
Create a culture of spiritual, emotional and physical health in the church. This will not only strengthen the pastor, but everyone that attends will experience the benefits and, hopefully, tend to their own hearts in a similar manner.
We need more pastors and leaders, not less. This burnout crisis must be dealt with and the hearts of pastors and their families must be tended to.
5 Marks of “The New Normal”
The shift must come to every church –immediately.
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There are over 19,000 cities in the nation and not one is experiencing the biblical normalcy of revival. Yes, there are pockets of Holy Spirit activity, but when considering regions, there's no smoke, no fire.
Every church and every Christian must not only be ready for reformation, they must initiate a massive revolution. Our daily experience will soon look nothing like it does now.
5 Marks of the “New Normal”
ONE: A radical devotion to the local church
A casual “commitment” to the most important, catalytic and strategic vehicle for the advance of the Kingdom in our nation's cities will result in devastation.
Lesser activities, entertainment and endeavors must yield to the schedule of the church as we gather with extreme discipline several times each week.
No longer can we allow schisms, opinions, frustrations, offense or any Leviathan or Absalom influenced emotion to derail us. The fire on the altar must never go out and the laborers are needed to tend to it.
TWO: A troubling, challenging, fiery church culture
Even in the most Spirit-driven churches it's easy to spot disinterested, disengaged people who are more interested in clock-watching and the buzz from their phones than in going deep in God with their fellow warriors.
A seeker strategy in the church over the past decades has resulted in a babied, hyper-sensitive people who will refuse to return if the fire gets too hot or the challenge is too intense. Of course, there's a ready remnant, but they are the exception.
We need to get used to anointed preaching that is roared from the pulpit and a vision that puts a tremble in our spirit, troubles us to the core and awakens us to action.
THREE: Spirit-filled, prophetic intercession that consumes our lives
Church services must look nothing like they have, and leaders have to be okay with the masses heading for the exits. The church gathering is not for the lost. It's not an evangelistic tool. It's a Believer's meeting. It's a prayer meeting.
Decrees, declarations and an atmosphere filled with fiery tongues must overwhelm the sanctuary every Sunday morning. The prophetic charge will shock the meeting and shatter the heavens as we move beyond tired, predictable church services.
Leave the list of desires and expectations at the door when searching for a church. It's not about us. It's not about “good teaching, good worship and good children's ministry” like so many have on their church shopping list. It's all about sacrificial, tear-inducing, desperate intercession.
When our lives, night and day, are filled with prayer like this, anything less when gathering as the church body won't be tolerated.
FOUR: Repentance and holiness are non-negotiable
Wickedness in our culture has flooded into the church, and it's time for aggressive, ferocious preaching to return to the pulpit. It will offend the casual and will invigorate the remnant to move into deeper realms of holiness and intimacy with Jesus.
Those who are driven by an independent spirit, who refuse to relinquish control of their lives and who scoff at such a separated, consecrated life will cause many problems. Apostolic, prophetic leaders must be ready to confront the attacking demonic spirits that will manifest through gossip, accusation, lies, hatred and manipulation.
Yes, a focus on holiness and a call to repentance will result in a spiritually violent assault. This is evidence that it's a great threat to Satan.
FIVE: Ministry will dominate our priorities – and our families will thrive
Cindy Jacobs prophesied over my wife that it was time to start a school of the Spirit, and that it would dramatically impact our children and family. We responded, and our family is burning in the furnace of ministry together.
The end-time season we are in will absolutely consume our thoughts and our plans. While much of the ministry will happen as part of the local church army we are assigned to, our focus will also expand into the city and beyond.
Every moment of our lives must be lived in the Spirit, understanding the critical call to fulfill our unique mission. Whether it's marketplace ministry, leading small groups, training for missions or any number of other ministries, we have to be locked-in. Every Believer is a minister.
We must be careful not to underemphasize our role in the local church as it is the primary strategic company that God has ordained. The foremost emphasis is intercession, and from there you will discover what your future role will be.
We are living in critical times.
Don't allow recent political victories to lull you into a state of comfort. The enemy is ramping up the assault and we can't afford to take a break.
Everything in our lives and in our churches must dramatically and immediately shift if we hope to see revival come, the Kingdom advance and the darkness recede.
This is our new normal.
Will this Election Launch Revival?
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The fervor surrounding this election has broken the scale. The church seems to have been awakened to the responsibility to cast their vote. Lines of cars heading to polling stations led to lines of people willing to wait for hours in some locations. This is very good.
It would seem the passion for righteousness is suddenly spiking and hopes for a mighty move of God are trending upward. Then again, maybe not.
Five Reasons Revival Should Not Be Expected – Yet.
ONE: Where are the lines?
I'm not talking the lines to pull the lever and vote. I'm referring to the lines to the prayer rooms. While intercession has been on the increase over the last several years, a culture of fervent, strategic prayer has not overtaken most of our churches. Fiery prayer must be the primary activity of every Believer. The pastors and the leaders who promote this in their churches will be key catalysts of authentic revival in the nation.
TWO: Who cares?
I hear more about how the election will effect Bitcoin than I do revival. I've been a raging, desperate revivalist for nearly three decades, and I'll never forget the sad epiphany I had near the beginning of my ministry journey. I discovered almost nobody cares about revival. It's not something they think about. It's not on their grid. They don't pursue it. They don't care.
THREE: Why would it?
I agree that having a wicked leader leading a nation can result in a weeping church that cries out night and day for God to intervene. In that regard, yes, a national election can impact revival. Aside from a negative stimulus and other nuances in the grand scheme, we have to understand that secular politics have little to do with spiritual awakening. Spiritual awakening, on the other hand, will have a mighty impact on the politics of America.
FOUR: Is it a priority?
Obviously, if few care about revival, why would we presume strategic pursuit of it would be a priority? For too many, the focus is not on awakening. People are paying close attention to other important yet lesser issues such as the economy and national security.
Of course, some of the policies we are campaigning for like the ending of abortion are at or near the top of the list. I do not mean to minimize desperately critical issues. What I am attempting to communicate is simple. For most, revival is near the bottom of their list of priorities, if it's on the list at all.
FIVE: Have we paid the price?
It's clear we haven't prayed the price. Sadly, few have paid the price either. They have not counted the cost and shifted their life sufficiently to have any expectation of revival coming to America. The price is too high.
The benefits of revival are nuclear in power, invaluable beyond measure. Any price is worth what this nation, our churches and our families would experience should a supernatural outpouring visit us. Dramatic miracles, healings, encounters, freedom from demons, moved mountains and a massive harvest of souls is held back by a quasi-interested church.
REVIVAL IS ON GOD'S AGENDA
As many have said, we aren't waiting God. He's waiting on us.
Let me make it clear with a shout from the rooftops! I believe a planet-shaking, supernatural outpouring of the Holy Spirit is coming. I sense it can come much sooner than later should the remnant church take it up about a hundred levels.
Revival is simply defined as biblical normalcy. We are supposed to be living in revival at all times. Jesus has done all that needs to be done for us to initiate revival, to live in it, to minister in it and to invite a dying world into it.
Winning an election does little to cause a sleeping church to start doing what must be done for revival to break out. The prerequisites are nonnegotiable and few have even started on them.
Intense prayer, determined growth, active faith, radical surrender and locking into a church that is giving itself to nonstop advance toward city-wide and national revival are critical first steps.
A politician can't do that for us.
Yes, a righteous leader can promote righteousness in a deeply wicked nation. There is much good that can come which is why our vote is so important.
But the day after election day, our responsibility shifts. It's time to fill the prayer rooms, to contend for revival and to cry out for God to move powerfully in America.
The level of our celebration or depression following the election is directly related to the level of our pursuit of revival.
If we prioritize a move of God more than the appointment of a politician, we'll be as invigorated and focused after the votes have been tallied as we were before.
Nine Marks of a Revival Church (CM)
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
How to Defeat this Wicked Church-Destroying Spirit
The Spirit of Absalom is crafty, wicked and out to destroy churches.
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In the aftermath of a covert Absalom attack a few decades ago, I was left stunned, confused and without any real resolution. So, I prayed.
“God, how can I ensure an Absalom-type attack never impacts our church again?”
His answer? Impossible. The spirit of Absalom is the primary demonic strategy against churches. It has always been this way and it will always be this way.
Wonderful. How encouraging.
In truth, I was thankful for God's straightforward honesty.
Since I couldn't avoid the attack, I asked God for a strategy against the attack. In part, this is what he revealed:
Eight Marks of an Absalom Attack
- Gossip
Even the most seasoned Christians can fall into the trap of talking when they should not. Gossip is any discussion about a person or an entity (such as a church, group or business) that the person or leader of the entity would disapprove of. It's witchcraft, self-serving and driven by pride. It is revenge at its worst.
- Right vs. Wrong
Are you living in the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil by attempting to prove yourself right and your leaders wrong? Or, are you living in the Tree of Life that results in honoring and serving them?
- Contrary Visions
Are you attempting to promote your own agenda instead of rallying around the vision of the house? People can get frustrated when their viewpoint, spiritual DNA and passion for a specific ministry isn't affirmed by leadership. Handling this wrongly is an indication of being influenced by an Absalom spirit.
- Gathering Others
Are you seeking support for your viewpoint? Gathering people around you who have the same concerns as you is out of line. The same thing happened in the story of Absalom.
- Stealing Hearts
As you gather others, are you stealing their hearts, or are you affirming the pastor or leader God assigned them to? Absalom stole the hearts of people who were under the care of David by listening to their complaints. Always call people to be loyal to their leaders and to approach them, not you, with their complaints.
- Disengaging
Are you running strong with the leader or are you shrinking back into a smaller group of disgruntled people?
- Matthew 18
Are you applying Matthew 18 protocol to situations you are concerned about? Do you approach leadership alone with your concerns, or do you violate Matthew 18 by involving other people and seeking their counsel?
- Division
Have you considered aborting your assignment in the church God planted you in by dividing off into another church? A lot of churches are born out of rebellion in the spirit of Absalom. Is this a desire of your heart? Or, are you willing to grow through the challenge in your current church?
I’ve watched the Absalom spirit absolutely destroy people and churches. The human wisdom that fuels it feels extremely spiritual! The arguments seem scriptural! However, the spirit is deadly.
One possible indicator that you have been impacted by Absalom is how you move from one church to another. If your influence to move on came through arguments of others, and you didn’t involve your leader in the decision, you’ve been hit by Absalom!
You should be looking for counsel from the leader God gave you before you talk to others, and certainly before you actually make a decision to leave. Key partnerships of God have been dismantled through the Absalom strategy, and it has left the mission of Kingdom advance at risk.
FIGHTING THE SPIRIT OF ABSALOM
Identifying the marks of an Absalom attack is just the beginning. God revealed a specific, step-by-step strategy of dealing with this most challenging of assaults against the church.
I have an Ebook that I have made available at no cost at www.burton.tv/absalom.
It will help equip you and strengthen you and your church against this terribly wicked scheme of the enemy.
Are Sleeping Christians the Greatest Threat to Revival?
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Chapter one of my upcoming book, 27 Points of Revolution: A Call to Personal Revival
A Call to War
“The dead are no threat to the enemy. The sleepers are an ally.”
War cries of victory resound from the hoards of Hell when their adversaries slumber. Truly, to be fully dead is less of a concern to the enemy than those who casually saunter through life.
Quite literally, the greatest allies of the kingdom of darkness are not witches, Satanists, murderers or abortionists (though they are on the list), they are sleeping Christians. Lukewarm, careless people who acknowledge Christ and pretend to enjoy allegiance to Jesus, unknowingly spread an eternally deadly virus through an Ichabod church. The glory of God has departed.
If you are looking for a quick and easy guide to experiencing some mystical, satisfying “buzz” called revival, you should stop reading right now. This is an invitation to accept the call to such a radical devotion that the wicked world in which we live begins to tremble.
This most certainly is a call to war.
Before you dismiss the war-talk as nothing other than hyper-Charismatic rhetoric, give me another moment to explain just how important it is.
Many Believers today are on a journey to the mythical land of ease. They look for the teachings, philosophies, paradigms and communities that best embrace their determined desire to see burdens removed.
The mere thought of battle is enough for many to shut down. The allure of emotional, spiritual and physical comfort is too strong.
Most can endure for a while, but many end up pulling back or falling away when the battle intensifies. They leave churches, quit praying, lose their passion and turn focus on themselves and their comfort.
If we have any hope of city-wide or national revival, much less personal revival, warfare will forever be required. There are devils to fight, cultures to shift, darkness to invade and religious spirits to confront.
Before we can truly focus on revolution and revival in the church, we must learn how to engage in war in our own lives. Before we fight against territorial schemes and see shift come to churches and cities, we must fight the imps.
This testing ground will determine whether we mature into mighty soldiers and lethal weapons in the hands of God, or if we just wait out our years on the earth, searching for self-satisfying and elusive comfort and ease.
DOES ANYBODY CARE ABOUT REVIVAL?
I often wonder if we truly understand the immeasurable joy, freedom, glory and abundant life that result from victory in battle. I’m sure we don’t.
Even the concept of revival is lost on those who are ready to take a spiritual nap. A collective, “Meh,” is heard when prophetic warriors sound alarms and cast vision for a massive end-time outpouring. Too many people just don’t care.
Messages that communicate the benefits immediately available to us are quite popular. Spiritualized “get rich quick” programs that communicate promises of breakthrough will draw a crowd. But what about messages of warfare? Few are signing up.
Yes, we need to seek revelation on strategies for personal revival and revolution, but it’s not a quick fix system. We will be challenged and we must respond.
The first step is to cry out to God for a softened heart and a passion for revival. You can no longer seek the easy route. The road to supernatural fire and all-encompassing revival in your life, your family and your city is steep, difficult and lined with enemies determined to take you down. True warriors will look at the challenge and charge ahead. I declare that you are a warrior. You will experience battle after battle and victory after victory. Why? You are coming more alive with an unrelenting zeal for the Holy Spirit. You will not be stopped.
Yes, you were born for war.
27 Points of Revolution in the Church
This Reformation Thesis is a call to massive shift in the church and in our nation.
God has given the church every resource and opportunity necessary to initiate a fire of revival that will burn our cities, nations and planet.
We can all agree this fire is not raging–and the current structure in the church can neither initiate nor sustain a move of God of this magnitude.
It’s time for a radical and momentous change in the church. It’s time for reformation. It’s time for revolution.
APOSTOLIC CENTERS
Glenn Bleakney writes:
In this critical hour, Holy Spirit is revealing the significance of shifting churches away from conventional gathering places towards Apostolic Centers. These Apostolic Centers are not merely physical locations; they are communities where God’s people assemble to encounter the tangible presence and glory of God, and be equipped to advance His Kingdom.
Apostolic Centers are dynamic hubs where the Holy Spirit is actively moving, transforming lives, and empowering believers for kingdom work. In these physical environments, the gathered people of God experience His manifest presence, receive prophetic revelation, and are trained and mobilized as effective ministers of the gospel to advance the kingdom of God into the marketplace, cities, and nations.
Rather than focused solely on weekend services, Apostolic Centers foster a culture of ongoing discipleship, ministry training, and missional living. They equip believers to operate in the fivefold ministry gifts, and send them out as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to impact their communities and the nations.
This shift towards Apostolic Centers is a strategic move of the Holy Spirit to prepare the Bride of Christ for the harvest and the return of Jesus. As the church aligns with this vision, it will experience a new level of authority, anointing, and impact in the earth.
The “family-style” churches must quickly shift and embrace a governmental paradigm. We must gather laborers, pray with passion, equip a holy military and advance into the darkness as we pursue full-blown revival. An outpouring and a city-structure that can withstand the weight must consume our thoughts.
27 POINTS OF REFORMATION AND REVOLUTION IN THE CHURCH
The following was written originally in the mid-2000s to the church of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and then to the cities of the earth. While I don't know the current landscape of the church of Colorado Springs, I've heard rumblings about the lack of five-fold, apostolic, governmental order in the city. If true, this shouldn't come as a surprise as this is true in most cities.
The verbiage in the Thesis was adjusted to address our current city, Branson, Missouri, though any city could most probably be substituted. These 27 points are simple yet critical to consider. I address the problem and then share the benefits of extreme course-correction:
1: We must repent of prayerlessness.
A call is being made for every believer to pray with hunger and passion to an extreme degree. Spiritual leaders of this city must model such a lifestyle of prayer on a daily basis. It must be our primary activity.
Pastors and leaders–let’s agree to developing a furnace of intercession in every local church and a weekly city-wide prayer event that shakes the region to the core.
Keep in mind, your primary call is prayer and study of the Word, not visitation, program development, administration or other focuses that steal time energy and focus.
Leonard Ravenhill said, “Pastors who don’t pray two hours a day aren’t worth a dime a dozen”
“Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”” (Acts 6:3–4, ESV)
BENEFITS:
Literally everything changes when we adopt an intense, strategic, continual lifestyle of intercession.
The supernatural increases, miracles happen, intimacy with Jesus skyrockets, pretenders are exposed, the corporate mission is strengthened.
I’ve counseled pastors to incorporate deep, fiery prayer meetings to set the culture in their leadership team. These supernatural meetings will quickly reveal those who are resistant, opposed to the mission, apathetic, given to a spirit of control or who have embraced an Absalom spirit.
2: We must repent of competition.
It’s time to promote the city church ahead of our local church. Are we willing to lose people, money, our ministries and our reputations for God’s corporate dream of city-wide revival to explode? The “sheep stealing” myth must be exposed for what it is: insecurity, personal kingdom building and a spirit of competition. The truth is it's impossible for someone to steal what we don't own. We don't own the sheep.
As Bring Ming said, “God forgive us for building kingdoms of man on doctrines of demons in your name.”
Further, our aim is not to grow our local church, but rather, as a simple, small department of the city church, we must promote connection in various ministries in the region.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3, ESV)
BENEFITS:
We have no idea the nuclear-level strength we’ll have if the churches of the city became the church of the city.
Everything is stronger, healthier, more precise, better equipped. Additionally, self-centered kingdom building and other idols are torn down in favor of a city-wide altar of worship.
3: We must repent for being mindful of man ahead of God–and then resign our positions as salespeople. We are to once again lead with a bold prophetic mantle.
As a leader, the primary role is to hear God in prayer and to declare his Word to the people. The body must renounce consumerism in the church by asking not what our church can do for us but what we can do for our church.
We must stop attempting to make our church more desirable, attractive and popular so as to attract the crowds. The prophetic messages we are called to shout will repel most.
“But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”” (Matthew 16:23, ESV)
BENEFITS:
Allowing God to give supreme leadership will offend many and will upset those who have built a “family-style church.” However, the resulting remnant will be firebreathers who are ready to lay down their lives and expose the darkness.
4: We must repent for forsaking the house of prayer.
There is a call for every church in the city to maintain prayer as its primary ministry. It is to be modeled and led by senior leadership.
The primary purpose of the church is not teaching, visitor assimilation or fellowship. It is undeniably night and day prayer for the nations. Lengthy prayer should be taught and modeled as the dominant activity of every believer. Those who refuse to buy into this mission must not be allowed to dictate the level of passion in the ministry.
As I've often said, “I refuse to tone down the activity of the Holy Spirit out of respect of those less hungry.”
“these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”” (Isaiah 56:7, ESV)
BENEFITS:
When prayer is not the primary activity of everyone in the church, the entire mission is compromised and underpowered. A culture of intercession results in unity, strength and ever-increasing passion for Jesus.
“Prayer is the highest activity of the human soul, and therefore it is at the same time the ultimate test of a man´s true spiritual condition (there is nothing so much as prayer life that tells the truth about us as Christian people). Everything we do in the Christian life is easier than prayer.”- Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones
“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:11–12, ESV)
- Fervent: hot, boiling
“I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,” (Romans 15:30, ESV)
- Fervent, urgent
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16, ESV)
- Fervent, To be active, to be mighty in, to work
5: We must repent of pride.
God resists the proud, and this city can’t afford for God to move away from us. We must repent, humble ourselves and cry for Jesus to come!
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”” (James 4:6, ESV)
BENEFITS:
God literally stands opposed to those who are proud and the same is true for churches that are formed in pride. Renouncing this alliance with a wicked spirit of pride will result in deep intimacy with Jesus, great favor, a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit and a grace that is immeasurable.
(Scripture + commentary) Matt 23:12 Whoever exalts himself [with haughtiness and empty pride] shall be humbled (brought low), and whoever humbles himself [whoever has a modest opinion of himself and behaves accordingly] shall be raised to honor.13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces; for you neither enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are about to go in to do so.14 [Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you swallow up widows’ houses and for a pretense to cover it up make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation and the heavier sentence.15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes one [a proselyte], you make him doubly as much a child of hell (Gehenna) as you are.
6: We must repent for quenching the Holy Spirit.
Our cry must be, “Come as you are and do what you want!” Sunday services should be marked by significant and earth-shaking supernatural moves of the Holy Spirit.
“Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19, ESV)
BENEFITS:
Where do I begin?! When the Spirit is not quenched AT ALL, the entire place erupts in fire!
“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7, ESV)
Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, faith, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation; the benefits are immeasurable.
A church that is not moving in the supernatural must be scrutinized. The mission we have been given is impossible to accomplish without signs, wonders, miracles, dreams, visions and supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit.
7: We must repent for resisting the prophetic.
Now, more than ever, we need to hear the Word of the Lord. We must teach every believer how to hear God, how to steward that Word and how to take responsibility in the fulfillment of that Word.
“Do not despise prophecies,” (1 Thessalonians 5:20, ESV)
BENEFITS:
Leading a church without a vibrant prophetic culture is an experiment in futility. God has absolutely critical revelation to reveal to us.
We need the 100 prophets to emerge from the caves!
Obadiah hid them, Elijah was accused of being a troubler of Israel, the fire fell, the prophets of Baal were defeated. This scenario must play out again in Branson and the cities of the earth!
“And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly, and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.)” (1 Kings 18:3–4, ESV)
8: We must embrace and teach on the experiential reality of the presence of God.
If someone were to be on the moon, would he want to learn about air or experience air? Branson must experience the fresh flowing air of the Holy Spirit again.
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.” (Acts 2:1–2, ESV)
BENEFITS:
Revival. When the Kabod and Shekinah come, and demons flee, and the anointing overwhelms, people are literally transformed forever.
Check this out:
“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” (Acts 7:54–8:1, ESV)
Saul watched this! This was an experiential reality for him.
Saul would soon become Paul. The entire world would soon be turned upside down!
9: We must be willing to forsake programs and policies set in place by the demands of man in favor of the divine vision of the Holy Spirit.
Today people expect a vibrant worship ministry, children's ministry, youth ministry, singles ministry, coffee shop, small groups and much more. While any of these ministries are not inherently wrong, they quite often are not what God desires for a particular church.
Gather “pavement people.” Those who don't care about comfort, about the biggest and the best, about their own satisfaction are the remnant you are looking for. They are happy hitting the pavement and declaring the goodness of God.
“As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house. When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”” (2 Chronicles 7:1–3, ESV)
BENEFITS:
Our energy will be reserved for what is most critical.
The vision will drive the ministry instead of what people presume to need or want. The trajectory of the entire church will be wildly different than if we were need-driven.
10: We must release control of our services.
We should expect to stay late, burn hot, experience much, cast out demons, prophesy, proclaim the Word, worship intensely and enjoy a wonderfully messy but Holy Spirit ordered event. The first church was birthed supernaturally in such a way that many marveled and many mocked. It must continue now as it started then.
“And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”” (Acts 2:12–13, ESV)
BENEFITS:
The unexpected must be expected. Limits to God need to be torn down and passion for the unknown, supernatural manifestations of God must overtake us.
11: We must raise the bar of expectations and do now what we will be doing when revival breaks out.
Pray continually, burn hot, be in the House of Prayer daily, cry out for justice, establish the 24-hour church, give, serve and enjoy God with other believers.
“And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?” (Luke 18:7, ESV)
“and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.” (Luke 2:37, ESV)
“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46–47, ESV)
BENEFITS:
We will be crushed and sharpened, disciplined and ready when the weight of revival hits the region.
God will be able to use us in a leadership capacity and as stewards of the outpouring. We will be ready.
12: We must repent for surrendering to culture by canceling services, closing the church doors and lowering the expected commitment.
We have submitted to a deadly and apathetic American culture, and it’s time to lead the way and bring reformation to that culture. The church must dominate our calendars again.
BENEFITS:
The church will shift from cowering to culture to shaping it.
Our families will be stronger, full of fire and deeply intimate with each other and with the Lord.
Prayer meetings, prayer walking, equipping, worship and so much more should be our primary activities, not T-ball, ballet, movies or other lesser things.
“And day by day, attending the temple together…” (Acts 2:46, ESV)
13: We must cry out for the love of God to weigh on His church in the form of both mercy and judgment.
Pray for God’s judgment to rest on you, your church and this city so as to ensure wrong things are made right, holiness prevails and God reigns supreme.
“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17, ESV)
BENEFITS:
Judgment is simply God making wrong things right. God will use the least severe method to get the greatest results.
When we trust God to judge and crush and break us, everything changes. The church is stronger. Our families are stronger.
14: We must teach Acts chapter two style–experience a move of God and then teach on it.
Experience an overpowering move of the Holy Spirit to such a degree that highly anointed biblical teachings penetrate hearts. What God does in the moment is then taught and explained from a supernatural perspective. Instead of teaching about revival to come, we need revival to break out, providing us the opportunity to explain the other-worldly invasion that shocked the city.
“But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” (Acts 2:14–21, ESV)
BENEFITS:
We get to experience God!
A full-speed ahead pursuit of supernatural visitation should consume us!
15: We must admit there are demons and that they must be dealt with.
Not through programs and projects but through prophetic proclamation. A unified assault on the kingdom of darkness will result in mass deliverance in our city.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, ESV)
BENEFITS:
The freedom will be immeasurable!
Demons will finally be forced out of hiding and we will be free and full of life.
The freedom will spread like wildfire as demonic strongholds are destroyed in the city.
It will be normal for demons to manifest on Sunday mornings, right in the middle of the service, as people pray, contend for freedom and witness supernatural deliverance.
16: We must be available for repositioning and do away with the redundancy that a church on every corner invites.
Many churches in our city should close. Those pastors would then assume more appropriate positions of service in other churches. Teachers would lead centers of teaching, pastors would lead small groups, and other leaders would serve in a variety of physical locations within the city church. The goal is one city church, many departments, unified leadership and individualized roles.
BENEFITS:
Huge unnecessary burdens will be lifted from leaders as they are released to focus on what they are called and wired to do.
The power of a city church can’t be understated.
17: We must again become Holy Spirit sensitive instead of seeker sensitive.
People aren’t looking for something worth living for, but rather for a cause worth dying for. Show them the cross.
The normal New Testament church experience is one of extreme manifestations of God, death to self, prophetic preaching and an unapologetic invasion into the culture which results in momentous change.
I believe the “seeker sensitive” movement has been the most destructive model of church in recent history. The devastation won't be fully realized until people enter into eternity.
“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:34–35, ESV)
BENEFITS:
The pretenders will leave and the remnant will be free to advance with great unity and strength.
The anointing will skyrocket and those “seekers” who are truly hungry will run to the altar. It will be more about God’s invasion into their lives than their assimilation into an affinity group.
18: We must again embrace dreams, visions, praying in the Holy Spirit and extreme encounters with God.
“So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.” (1 Corinthians 14:39, ESV)
BENEFITS:
The mission of the church will be strengthened as people are receiving revelation.
Our personal lives will become powerfully effective as we are led by supernatural guidance instead of staggering around in confusion.
19: We must repent for presenting a watered down, socially acceptable gospel.
Salvation requires death, surrender and commitment to the plans of God.
“And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10:21–22, ESV)
BENEFITS:
Authentic salvations will result in a powerful church.
The Rich Young Rulers won’t be affirmed, the Money Changers in the temple won't be coddled and the truth won’t be compromised.
20: We must repent for emphasizing what people can get instead of what they are to give.
To enter a church with the expectation of leaving with more than you entered with is to embrace the same spirit the money changers did. We must again, with fear and trembling, enter the House of Prayer with the expectation of making a sacrifice and giving an offering.
“And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”” (Matthew 21:12–13, ESV)
BENEFITS:
We will have clarity on our devotion to Jesus.
During the Triumphal Entry, Jesus was “worshiped” by people crying out “Hosanna!” That word, Hosanna, translates as, “save us now.” The focus was on self.
The moment they determined Jesus wouldn't give them what they hoped for, they turned on him. Their next cry was, “crucify him!”
People will attend our churches as long as we give them what they want. Instead we may need nearly empty churches with the few who have the guts to gather around the cross.
21: We must encourage every believer to grow intentionally, rapidly and independently.
And then, to step into their assigned ministry role.
“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:12–14, ESV)
BENEFITS:
Strong leadership teams will develop as will strong, devoted people.
22: We must call for the fear of the Lord to return to our churches and city.
“Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 23:17–18, ESV)
BENEFITS:
We will be calibrated with the reality of who God is. Both the love and the severity of God will be made known.
23: We must repent for rebellion, self-government, lawlessness and an independent spirit.
This is evidenced through church hopping and by leaving a church without being sent out by the leaders. This results in compromised missions, a divisive spirit and a splintering of the body. Accountability and submission to authority must again return to the church.
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17, ESV)
BENEFITS:
We will shed demonic influence that has brought ruin to people, families and churches.
24: We must repent of gossip, complaining and other forms of witchcraft.
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” (Proverbs 6:16–19, ESV)
BENEFITS:
Alliance with demons will be eradicated.
The church will be much stronger and full of Holy Spirit activity.
25: We must repent for embracing a religious spirit.
Religion is this: “man’s attempt to use God to get what he wants.”
It’s time to cry out for God to remove our man made structures and advance his Kingdom in our city!
BENEFITS:
A spirit of religion killed Jesus. This same spirit resists the Spirit of God today.
When eradicated, the Holy Spirit will come in like a flood and give supernatural, divine leadership to our churches.
26: We must repent to the nation for misrepresenting Branson as a significant Christian center of Holy Spirit activity.
It is not. We have wrongly stewarded this responsibility. We hear a lot about “God and country,” and there is much that is very positive happening here. However, we can't stop the analysis of the spiritual condition of our region with what seems to be healthy.
There are altars that must be torn down, wicked spirits that must be exposed and repentance that must overwhelm us all.
BENEFITS:
The humility repentance would bring will be a catalyst for a massive move of God.
It would also recalibrate the church of Branson and make it possible to effectively steward revival.
27: We must repent for not praying intently for our leaders.
Their failure is our failure.
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Timothy 2:1–2, ESV)
BENEFITS:
Leaders would be undergirded, their arms lifted and covered. Failure would decrease and the mission of Kingdom advance would be strengthened.
Pastors and other ministers would not be as susceptible to failure.
The people would not be as susceptible to disillusionment and falling away due to the failure of leadership.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As we pray, unify, preach the cross, love God and the people of our city with passion and embrace the present Word of the Lord Branson will be a propellant for revival around the world.
Written trembling in the fear of the Lord,
John Burton
Revival X
Marks of a Revival-Minded Church
Spirit-filled churches are increasingly falling into the trap of becoming a “typical church.”
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 pursuit of a wild-fire, other-worldly, supernatural habitation of the Spirit of God never even comes to mind.
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.
Of course, not every church has descended into what I'm calling a typical church. And, not every church will have done so on every point. Some are hanging strong in some areas while slipping on others.
And, it should also be said that legitimate revival churches can fail on some points that typical churches are stronger in. However, I do believe the comparison is generally valid.
Nine key differences between typical churches and revival churches:
- Typical Church: Participation is emphasized
Revival Church: Consecration is emphasized
In a revival church, the focus is a radical surrender to Jesus and an ongoing depth to the lives of all who come. 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.
- Typical Church: Prayer is rare
Revival Church: Prayer is constant
Prayer is the primary call of all in a revival church. A powerful, miraculous, supernatural culture of fiery 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.
- Typical Church: Church growth is the goal
Revival Church: Regional revival is the goal
Revival church leaders don’t care in the least about the numerical growth of their church or ministry. Their eyes are on the city. They do want the right people in position to contend for revival in the city. They do pray in the laborers. However, they understand the Gideon principle. Fewer devoted people keenly focused on revival is powerfully effective.
- Typical Church: Relationships are a key focus
Revival Church: Relationships are a byproduct
Deep, powerful and biblical relationshps are developed in the foxhole at revival-style churches. The mission is the main thing. An outpouring of the Holy Spirit in a context of holiness and intercession is the prime goal. Relationships result as hungry, consecrated people put differences aside and contend for revival with military precision.
- Typical Church: Demons remain hidden
Revival Church: Demons are exposed
Playing games with very powerful, wicked demonic spirits is not an option in a revival church. At risk of offending those in attendance, prophetic and apostolic 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.
- Typical Church: Encouragement driven
Revival Church: Prophetically driven
Churches that are authentically prophetic will at times cut, offend, correct and challenge. Those who respond will ultimately experience extreme encouragement as they blow through limitations and compromise. Revival churches are equipping an army. End-time holy soldiers must go through radical transformation in order to be made truly ready.
- 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.
- Typical Church: One-stop shop
Revival Church: Specialized ministry
As it’s been said, Christians aren’t in gangs. It’s okay to connect in different churches. Revival leaders most often 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 leaders in the city.
- 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. Dreams, visions, encounters, assignments, warnings and preparing for the end-times define the experience. MASH units, instead of hospitals, get people healed and equipped to run to the battle and annihilate the enemy.