Prayer Walking And Power Working In New Orleans
by Joe McKeever
First, I need to tell you about Wayne Jenkins. Wayne leads the Department
of Evangelism for the Louisiana Baptist Convention and he practices when
he preaches. Last night he walked through the French Quarter witnessing
and handing out leaflets telling people how to know Christ as Savior. He
met so many Spanish people, he pulled a stack of tracts in their language
out of his car and handed out a couple of hundred before the evening
ended.
Wayne is making our New Orleans area pastors a deal we shouldn't refuse.
The annual "Louisiana Evangelism Conference" is scheduled for the First
Baptist Church of LaFayette January 23 and 24, and Wayne wants to pay our
way. He says, "We are providing pastors and staff and spouses in the
hurricane affected areas with a $275 scholarship. This should provide two
nights lodging, your meals and gas." To get in on this, our ministers need
to sign up now since registration is limited and on a first come, first
served basis. You will want to FAX Wayne's office (318) 445 0055 or call
his administrative assistant (her name is Syd) at 1-800-622-6549. He needs
to know your name, your spouse's name, your church, address, phone, and
e-mail address. You will receive a voucher in January, so you may make
your own reservation and get yourself there. An incredible slate of
inspiring speakers has been lined up.
Wayne conceived the idea for the PRAYER WALK for New Orleans which we held
today, and he did all the work on it. All we had to do was show up...and
take a walk. Nearly 200 of us gathered at Williams Boulevard Baptist
Church this Saturday morning, including Dr. David and Patti Hankins from
our LBC office in Alexandria, and Rick Shepherd and his wife from the
Florida Baptist Convention office in Jacksonville, and a number of church
prayer teams from throughout Louisiana. About a dozen of our local
churches sent leaders to invite prayer walkers into their neighborhoods.
By the time we got underway at 10:05 am, everyone present was wearing a
black t-shirt with gold lettering, "Pray New Orleans," with a fleur de lis
on the front. Wayne provided tracts for us to hand out and miniature
notebooks to record impressions, prayer requests we picked up from people
we met, as well as experiences to remember.
We'll be having another prayer walk before long, and this time we'll get
into the needier sections of New Orleans. The mold count is so high and
the debris so widespread, we felt it would be unsafe to send people
walking those streets.
Most of my prayer time was in what Wayne calls PRAYER DRIVING. This is
when you cannot get out and walk, but must drive an area. They do this in
rural neighborhoods, he says, where you find perhaps one or two houses per
mile. And you do it in sections of our city like Bywater, where Grace
Baptist Church is located. That's where I drove after leaving Williams
Boulevard. Along the way, I "prayer drove" Celebration Church on Airline
and a couple of our mission churches. Grace Church was standing open with
all the air blowers running, as so many other homes and businesses were.
They gut the house as much as is required, then try to dry out the inside.
At any point over a several mile drive, I could have stopped and walked
inside stores and churches and homes, all with doors open and no one
around. I walked the block around Grace and prayed for the church and the
neighborhood, which has such a long way to come back. A few people seemed
to be working, but not many.
The streetcars are out of commission down town, the result of flooding. No
one knows when they can be repaired and returned to service. Medians (what
people here call "the neutral ground") are piled high with the junk from
inside homes, and debris lines streets, in many cases lying untouched
where Katrina dropped it over 11 weeks ago. Traffic lights work at perhaps
a fourth of the New Orleans intersections. At others, they've erected
portable stop signs and you hope other drivers stop. Sometimes they do,
sometimes they don't.
On the Lakefront, near our associational office, FEMA trailers and
construction campers have proliferated. An 18-wheeler belonging to some
construction company now hogs all the parking spaces for our associational
team. Driving along Lakeshore Drive down to West End, you were struck by
how much of the street has been washed away. Not a pretty sight on this
most beautiful of the streets of this city.
I will not belabor this point, but driving through New Orleans continues
to be the most depressing thing I have to do. Your spirit sags as you
observe residential streets untouched since the storm, with fallen trees,
collapsed stores, broken homes, a burned business, a looted grocery,
damaged roofs, busted windows, and ruined cars still sitting where they
were abandoned by owners fleeing the hurricane. Debris piles as large as
apartment buildings have been dumped on the neutral ground of West End
Boulevard. The newspaper says all the trash from Katrina amounts to 34
years of our normal garbage and trash.
Every week I see it. Visitors come to town to check out the needs, to talk
with pastors and other leaders on how they can go back home and mobilize
their people to come help. After no more than an hour of gawking at the
ruins of this city, they go into shock. It's the
deer-caught-in-the-headlights look, that says "I've never seen anything
like this" and "I don't have a clue what we can do about it." They go back
home; we have to stay.
And yet, we don't want to be anywhere else. Personally, I'm accepting a
few invitations to leave town and speak, but I can't wait to get back.
Nathan Cline and his bride are Carolinians and were new at our seminary
when the storm hit. They evacuated to Houston where his wife was able to
land a great job, and he's taking seminary classes on-line. But I hear
from him, and he's hurting to get back here. Think of that: he had been a
resident here for perhaps a month. But it's his city and he feels a need
to be here. Nathan says, "God knew when He led us to enroll at New Orleans
Seminary this hurricane was coming. His plans for us have not changed." We
know the feeling, young friend.
Metairie Baptist Church was having a block party today, to meet neighbors
and to bear witness. I went over from 1 to 3 pm and set up shop in their
parking lot to sketch people. It's not a big thing, but one way I can
affirm our churches for reaching out to their neighborhood and meet some
of their people.
Sunday morning, we shall meet perhaps the bravest man in the state. The
Viet Nam Baptist Church on the West Bank is welcoming their new pastor.
They've been searching for him for perhaps 2 years, and were all set to
welcome him the first of September, before Katrina interfered. To my utter
amazement and everyone's delight, even after the devastation of the
hurricane, he has still agreed to come. Sunday will be his first day, and
I will add my welcome to this courageous brother who comes to share our
suffering and to lend a hand.
OUR CHRISTMAS BANQUET for pastors and staff and spouses will be Monday
night, December 5, at 7 pm, at the First BAptist Church of Covington. We
will be the guests of the good people of that great church, and there will
be no charge. We do need our ministers to sign up so we can tell them how
many are coming. Our ministers should call the secretary at First Baptist
Church of Kenner 504/466 5381 and tell them to put your name on the list.
Pray for our churches. The healthy ones are struggling with issues of
declining membership with so many of their people taking jobs in other
cities. The pastors from St. Bernard Parish will meet next Tuesday to
begin to discuss what to do about their area where almost no one lives any
more and all the churches were put out of commission. A number of our
congregations are pastorless, the worst time possible to be without the
God-called leader. Pray for our churches, please.
-------------------------------------------------------------
[Comments? http://www.joemckeever.com/mt/archives/000196.html ]
-------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Friday, November 18, 2005
A Diagnostivc Tool to Assess The Prayer Life of Your Congregation
A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL
TO ASSESS THE PRAYER LIFE OF YOUR CONGREGATION
By Phil Miglioratti
*Church Prayer Leaders Network
http://www.prayerleader.com
*Praying Pastor
http://www.prayingpastor.com
*National Pastors’ Prayer Network
http://www.nppn.org
Our Purpose
It is our goal, that by properly utilizing this tool, the Holy Spirit will give you a clear sense of how successful you are in the quest to become a biblical House of Prayer.
The interactive process brings leadership and membership together in a vertical (prayer) and horizontal (prayer birthed discussions) conversation. This conversation is in itself a forward step in the prayer life of the congregation.
This is not a “scientific” survey capable of producing a computerized analysis nor is it like a contest in which the average rating of the judges determines the outcome. Each category and question is designed to expose the heart of the congregation for prayer and produce an accurate picture of how faithfully, practically and pervasively that desire is being expressed.
No congregation using this tool is in competition with any other. It is hoped that this tool will serve to increase the congregation’s appetite for prayer while causing leadership to reevaluate programs and seek the Lord of the Church for His changes toward a reformation in the congregation producing a transformation in the community.
Just like prayer, you can utilize as much or as little as you want from this tool. Simply by reading through it you will allow the Holy Spirit to sensitize you to new thoughts and ideas. By inviting others to read it will do the same for them. However, to receive full value, you are encouraged to include and involve the entire congregation over an extended period of time.
Our Process
•Begin in prayer, asking the Lord to prepare the hearts and minds of those who make the decision of how to implement this tool amongst your people.
•Make an appointment with the key leader(s) in your context, usually the Pastor. Make sure the Pastor is in public agreement as this is presented to any other board or committee or team that must decide on its use or steps of implementation.
•Employ a long-term strategy
.The leadership team prays together and commits to use the tool as a means of receiving wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit.
.The full leadership of the congregation hears first about the plan to asses the congregation’s prayer life, are expected to personally support the plan, and to proactively encourage participation from those in their area of ministry.
.The diagnostic tool will be one ingredient in an overall assessment.
.Introduce the diagnostic tool to the congregation only after the appropriate leadership (team, council, board) has met to pray through their commitment to both the process and the action steps that result.
.Introduce the diagnostic tool only after the congregation has heard a biblical call to become refreshed, renewed, revived as a House of Prayer for all people. This may be accomplished through any or several of these means:
-a series of messages/sermons on personal and corporate prayer
-a Prayer Conference (all-church) with a guest speaker
-a Workshop (all-ministry leaders) with someone to teach on prayer
-a Retreat with a guest to facilitate prayer and coach discussion
The guide, Come to the Lord’s Table by Claude King is an excellent resources for any of these activities. (Visit www.finalcommnad.org for details and ordering information)
.Set a start-date and a return-date to distribute and collect the completed worksheets If you mail the worksheets to the members at their home, please include one per adult and young person. Include a children’s worksheet if appropriate.
.Or, set aside a month when the worksheets are the focus of every church ministry and activity. Ever class & committee; council & choir; group & gathering.
Before initiating the assessment process, set a date for the leaders to meet to discuss and discern what the Spirit is saying through the feedback as well as a date when the leaders will meet with the members to present their findings, seek further response, and set action steps. This is most beneficial if experienced in an interactive format (roundtable discussion led by a facilitator from outside the congregation)
.At the report session, announce the date of a “Follow-Through” meeting to assess how well the congregation has implemented the ideas and inspirations of the diagnostic assessment (6 - 12 months).
.Several types of questions are employed in an effort to assist you to think honestly from different perspectives. Avoid answers that “make us look good” and simply give a descriptive response.
.The answers/responses are just the beginning. After completing a review of responses in a category, use the questions below to assist you in discerning what the Spirit is saying...
*”What?” - are our responses to the questions?
[Information]
*”So What?” - are the implications of what we have said?
[Application]
*”Now What?” - are we led to do again? Better? Differently?
[Implementation]
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our History
What role did prayer play in the birthing / founding of your congregation?
At what point in your history has prayer been most visible? Powerful?
What was the context (circumstances, situations)?
Which persons have been champions for prayer?
How have we utilized prayer champions in the past?
When it comes to corporate prayer, have we been:
Fearful? Neutral? Supportive? Proactive?
Has the congregation been called to fasting and prayer (answer yes or no):
___Yes ___No
If so, what prompted the call to fast and pray?
We have seen a correlation between prayer and spiritual milestones
(check all that apply):
__ People responding to the Gospel
__ Increase in baptisms
__ Adults surrendering to ministry
__ Young people surrendering to ministry
__ Sending missionaries to other cities or nations
__ New congregations planted
__ Breakthroughs in healing (physical and/or emotional)
__ (other) ____________
Our reputation for prayer is (chose one):
__ We do not know how others view our prayer life
__ We are probably consider average; no special reputation for prayer
__ We are probably known as a church devoted to prayer
__ We are the church in our area someone would call to ask for prayer
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Theology
Agree or Disagree:
“The prayer life of our congregation and our members is more a
religious habit than an act of obedience.’
Agree or Disagree:
“Our practice of prayer is based more on the biblical
revelation of God’s character than daily trials and troubles.”
Agree or Disagree:
“The methods and styles of prayer we employ are informed more
by our culture and popular teaching than the scriptures.”
Our Vision
To what extent was our congregation’s Vision Statement birthed in prayer?
How is prayer present (or could be) in our Vision statement?
What evidence can you cite to prove this statement:
“We are dependent upon God for the success of our vision.”
Our Pastor
In the past twelve months, our Pastor (check all that apply)
__ Preached a sermon on prayer
__ Indicated a desire to increase and/or improve his prayer life
__ Called the congregation to fervent prayer
__ Taught a class or small group on prayer
__ Empowered others to lead or facilitate prayer
__ Participated or led an ongoing church prayer group
__ Promoted a prayer training experience
__ Distributed prayer resources for leaders and/or members
__ Read a new book on the subject of prayer
__ Has benefited from a Pastor’s Prayer Support Team
__ Identified and worked closely with intercessors
__ Participated in a Pastors’ Prayer Group
__ Attended a Prayer Retreat
__ Was involved in a community or city wide prayer initiative
__ Involved our church in National day of Prayer (or other events)
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Leaders
Do your leaders (staff, deacons/elders, council/board members):
(check all that apply)
__ Attend the congregational prayer meetings?
__ Express personal dependency upon prayer?
__ Limit prayer in their meetings to a brief “opening” & closing” prayer?
__ Provide financial support for prayer initiatives
__ Understand the relationship between prayer and evangelism
__ Participate in prayer training
__ Consider prayer to be the job of the Prayer Team or intercessors
__ Call the congregation to Solemn Assemblies
__ Rarely pray in public
Our Members
As to the prayer life of our church, our members are:
__ satisfied, __ curious, __ eager to learn, __ hungry for God
When it comes to changing the prayer patterns in our church, our members:
__ initiate new ideas, __ welcome change, __ tolerate, __ resist
What percentage of your church members do you estimate:
__ Participate in a prayer group or meeting? ____
__ Pray at home with their family on a regular basis? ____
__ Participate in some kind of prayer training? ____
__ Request prayer (written or verbally) ____
__ Pray for others who do not yet know Christ? ____
__ Pray for (immediately) others who express a joy or a need? ____
__ Have a prayer burden for another nation? ____
Our members experience prayer (list in order; most to least):
__ Privately at a specific time and place
__ Throughout their daily activities
__ When they face a trial or trouble
__ When someone else prays in a meeting or worship service
__ In a small group
__ (other) _________
Agree or Disagree:
“When we gather for corporate prayer, everyone participates verbally.”
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Worship Service(s)
When the congregation gathers for worship, our prayers are:
(check all that apply)
__ At a preset time in the service
__ Spontaneous
__ Conversational
__ Formal
__ Informal
__ An expression of ritual
__ ”Preachy”
__ List (needs) focused
__ Prewritten
When the congregation gathers for worship, our prayers are:
(check all that apply)
__ Prayed by “clergy” (ordained, staff)
__ Prayed by selected members (a few who rotate)
__ Prayed by selected members (many are considered)
__ Prayed by any member (anyone may volunteer)
__ Prayed by all members (pairs or small groupings; pray in unison)
__ Prayed by all members (prayer recited in unison)
When our congregation gathers for worship (check all that apply):
__ We sing songs that encourage prayer
__ We have banners reminding us of the power of prayer
__ We sing songs that address God; we sing our prayers
__ We weave praise and prayer together as we worship
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Prayer Meetings
(Any gathering devoted to prayer)
We meet for prayer __weekly, __monthly, __quarterly, __annually
Percent of our congregation who attend:
__ weekly
__ monthly
__ quarterly
__ annually
What special need or circumstance prompts an unscheduled gathering?
When we gather for prayer (check all that apply):
__ We are faith-filled __ We follow a routine
__ A few pray __ Everyone contributes
__ We span the globe __ We follow typical lists
__ Most prayers are need-based __ Many pray from scripture
__ We sense God’s presence __ We see prayers answered
The purpose of a prayer meeting (according to our reality):
__ To tell God what we need
__ To praise God and honor Christ first
__ To remind God of all who are sick or grieving
__ To listen for discernment and wisdom
__ To pray for our leaders; congregation and nation
Respond to this statement:
“Frankly, our prayer meetings are more boring than blessing...”
When we gather (check any that apply):
__ We invite the Holy Spirit to facilitate and guide our prayers
__ We ask for the mind of Christ so that our prayers echo Jesus’
__ We desire most to serve God by praising and blessing Him
Our pray focus (list in order; most to least):
__ Upward - Praise
__ Downward - Confession
__ Inward - Seeking God’s will (personal)
__ Outward - Neighbors & Nations
__ Backward - Thanking God for past blessings
__ Forward - Seeking God’s will (corporate)
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Small Groups
Prayer is a core value (list in order; most to least):
__ Sunday School Classes
__ Choir Rehearsal
__ Fellowship Groups
__ Study Groups
__ Committees
Small Group prayer (list in order; most to least):
__ The leader (chairperson, director, moderator, president) prays
__ The leader asks someone to pray
__ Everyone prays around the circle or table
__ Prayer is conversational; people pray as prompted
__ The leader prescribes a format or style
Small Group prayer (list in order; most to least):
__ The group has a protected time for prayer
__ -Prayers tend to be general
__ Prayers are based on stated requests of the members
__ Prayers are based on the group’s agenda
Our Age-Focus Ministries
Our ministries demonstrate a high value for prayer (list in order; most to least):
__ Children’s Ministry
__ Youth Ministry
__ Collegiate
__ Singles
__ Married Couples
__ Families
__ Seniors
__ Other _ _ _
Our ministries provide prayer training (list in order; most to least):
__ Children’s Ministry
__ Youth Ministry
__ Collegiate
__ Singles
__ Married Couples
__ Families
__ Seniors
__ Other _ _ _
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Evangelism Ministries, Special Events & Holidays
We organize prayer preceding evangelistic activities:
__ Always, __Sometimes, __Never
We schedule prayer during evangelistic activities:
__ Always, __Sometimes, __Never
We assign names of new contacts for prayer after evangelistic activities:
__ Always, __Sometimes, __Never
We ask for the opportunity to pray for people (check all that apply):
__ On our church website
__ In each Sunday’s bulletin
__ In the Church Newsletter
__ Through a “pew card”
__ A weekly verbal invitation
__ At a Prayer Table
__ In the Prayer Room
We challenge our members to pray for their neighbors & coworkers
(check all that apply):
__ In small groups (often called Lighthouses of Prayer)
__ In Sunday bulletins
__ In Sermons
__ With inserts and information (bulletin; newsletter)
Our Missions
In what ways are missionaries and missions supported by prayer?
__ Prayer partners as assigned from the congregation
__ Various classes and groups adopt a missionary
__ Our Missions Committee pray faithfully for our missionaries
__ Mission Conferences include focused prayer for global evangelism
__ We pray for missions and missionaries in Sunday services
__ Prayer requests from missionaries are posted or published
__ We offer Prayer Journeys to mission activity locations
__ Teaching mission support prayer is part of our discipleship training
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Equipping for Prayer
Throughout the year we offer (check all that apply):
__ Workshops on various prayer topics
__ Classes on the theology of prayer
__ Studies on biblical praying and pray-ers
__ Sunday sermon series on prayer
__ Prayer retreats
__ Financial assistance for leaders to attend prayer conferences
Training Resources (check all that apply):
__ Prayer resources are purchased and made available
__ Information on resources is posted in newsletters
(Pray! magazine, new book releases, websites, videos...)
__ Free resources for Prayer Ministry Leadership
__ Prayer materials are available in our library/resource center
__ Our congregation provides budget to purchase resources
Our Prayer Ministry Team
Our Prayer Ministry Team (check all that apply):
__ Requires completed training to participate
__ Has a designated leader or coordinator
__ Has two-way communication with the Pastor
__ Is diverse (male/female; young/old)
__ Promotes training to the members of the congregation
__ Utilizes insights from spiritual mapping
Our Prayer Ministry Team includes (check all that apply):
__ PrayerWallking
__ Prayer Room
__ Prayer Chain (phone)
__ Prayer Network (e-mail)
__ Prayer Shield (prayer for the Pastor)
__ Prayer Journeys
__ Prayer Drives
__ Prayer Display Table or Resource Center
__ Prayer Articles in Newsletters
__ Altar Prayer (ministry to those responding after the sermon)
__ Prayer Circle (prayer before the Worship service)
__ Prayer during the Worship service
__ Onsite prayer during outreach events
__ Healing Prayer (by appointment or after the service)
__ Prayer Vigils (hour-by-hour prayer; sign-up)
__ Day of Prayer (everyone praying at home/work with same focus)
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Prayer Partnerships
Our congregation (check all that apply)
__ Prays for other congregations by name
__ Participates in denominational prayer initiatives
__ Participates in community/regional prayer events
Using Acts 1:8, what per cent are your prayers focused upon:
__ Jerusalem (community; city)
__ Judea (region; nation)
__ Samaria (enemies; local issues of injustice)
__ Ends of the Earth (international; unreached people; 10/40 Window)
We participate in (check all that apply)
__ National Day of Prayer
__ See You At The Pole
__ Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
__ Seek God for the City (spring/Lenten prayer initiative)
Our congregation (or a class or a small group) have adopted in prayer:
(check all that apply)
__ School
__ Park (gang activity; children & families)
__ Multi-Housing / Subdivision
__ Local Business (office building; strip mall)
__ Senior Center
__ (other) ____________
Our Congregation
Every congregation, large or small; independent or denominational; evangelical, charismatic, or liturgical, is unique. What areas of your congregation’s life have not been covered? How would you rate the place and prominence of prayer in those areas?
Our Conclusions
Based upon our responses and the witness of the Holy Spirit in this process:
__ We are best considered a Prayer Activity Church
(prayer is limited to traditional routines or rituals and events)
__ We are a Prayer Ministry Church
(several or many prayer teams, opportunities, services offered)
__ We are becoming a Prayer Strategy Church
Strategies are prayer-birthed, leading to...
Ministries that are prayer-based, resulting in...
Activities are all prayer-bathed
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Plans
List Action Plans (goals with deadlines and assignments) for:
The Pastor
Leadership
Worship Services
Small Groups (classes, groups, teams)
Age-Level & Need-Focused Ministries
Prayer Ministry
Members
Prayer Meeting(s)
Equipping / Resourcing / Communicating
Acts 1:8 Praying
Other areas...
TO ASSESS THE PRAYER LIFE OF YOUR CONGREGATION
By Phil Miglioratti
*Church Prayer Leaders Network
http://www.prayerleader.com
*Praying Pastor
http://www.prayingpastor.com
*National Pastors’ Prayer Network
http://www.nppn.org
Our Purpose
It is our goal, that by properly utilizing this tool, the Holy Spirit will give you a clear sense of how successful you are in the quest to become a biblical House of Prayer.
The interactive process brings leadership and membership together in a vertical (prayer) and horizontal (prayer birthed discussions) conversation. This conversation is in itself a forward step in the prayer life of the congregation.
This is not a “scientific” survey capable of producing a computerized analysis nor is it like a contest in which the average rating of the judges determines the outcome. Each category and question is designed to expose the heart of the congregation for prayer and produce an accurate picture of how faithfully, practically and pervasively that desire is being expressed.
No congregation using this tool is in competition with any other. It is hoped that this tool will serve to increase the congregation’s appetite for prayer while causing leadership to reevaluate programs and seek the Lord of the Church for His changes toward a reformation in the congregation producing a transformation in the community.
Just like prayer, you can utilize as much or as little as you want from this tool. Simply by reading through it you will allow the Holy Spirit to sensitize you to new thoughts and ideas. By inviting others to read it will do the same for them. However, to receive full value, you are encouraged to include and involve the entire congregation over an extended period of time.
Our Process
•Begin in prayer, asking the Lord to prepare the hearts and minds of those who make the decision of how to implement this tool amongst your people.
•Make an appointment with the key leader(s) in your context, usually the Pastor. Make sure the Pastor is in public agreement as this is presented to any other board or committee or team that must decide on its use or steps of implementation.
•Employ a long-term strategy
.The leadership team prays together and commits to use the tool as a means of receiving wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit.
.The full leadership of the congregation hears first about the plan to asses the congregation’s prayer life, are expected to personally support the plan, and to proactively encourage participation from those in their area of ministry.
.The diagnostic tool will be one ingredient in an overall assessment.
.Introduce the diagnostic tool to the congregation only after the appropriate leadership (team, council, board) has met to pray through their commitment to both the process and the action steps that result.
.Introduce the diagnostic tool only after the congregation has heard a biblical call to become refreshed, renewed, revived as a House of Prayer for all people. This may be accomplished through any or several of these means:
-a series of messages/sermons on personal and corporate prayer
-a Prayer Conference (all-church) with a guest speaker
-a Workshop (all-ministry leaders) with someone to teach on prayer
-a Retreat with a guest to facilitate prayer and coach discussion
The guide, Come to the Lord’s Table by Claude King is an excellent resources for any of these activities. (Visit www.finalcommnad.org for details and ordering information)
.Set a start-date and a return-date to distribute and collect the completed worksheets If you mail the worksheets to the members at their home, please include one per adult and young person. Include a children’s worksheet if appropriate.
.Or, set aside a month when the worksheets are the focus of every church ministry and activity. Ever class & committee; council & choir; group & gathering.
Before initiating the assessment process, set a date for the leaders to meet to discuss and discern what the Spirit is saying through the feedback as well as a date when the leaders will meet with the members to present their findings, seek further response, and set action steps. This is most beneficial if experienced in an interactive format (roundtable discussion led by a facilitator from outside the congregation)
.At the report session, announce the date of a “Follow-Through” meeting to assess how well the congregation has implemented the ideas and inspirations of the diagnostic assessment (6 - 12 months).
.Several types of questions are employed in an effort to assist you to think honestly from different perspectives. Avoid answers that “make us look good” and simply give a descriptive response.
.The answers/responses are just the beginning. After completing a review of responses in a category, use the questions below to assist you in discerning what the Spirit is saying...
*”What?” - are our responses to the questions?
[Information]
*”So What?” - are the implications of what we have said?
[Application]
*”Now What?” - are we led to do again? Better? Differently?
[Implementation]
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our History
What role did prayer play in the birthing / founding of your congregation?
At what point in your history has prayer been most visible? Powerful?
What was the context (circumstances, situations)?
Which persons have been champions for prayer?
How have we utilized prayer champions in the past?
When it comes to corporate prayer, have we been:
Fearful? Neutral? Supportive? Proactive?
Has the congregation been called to fasting and prayer (answer yes or no):
___Yes ___No
If so, what prompted the call to fast and pray?
We have seen a correlation between prayer and spiritual milestones
(check all that apply):
__ People responding to the Gospel
__ Increase in baptisms
__ Adults surrendering to ministry
__ Young people surrendering to ministry
__ Sending missionaries to other cities or nations
__ New congregations planted
__ Breakthroughs in healing (physical and/or emotional)
__ (other) ____________
Our reputation for prayer is (chose one):
__ We do not know how others view our prayer life
__ We are probably consider average; no special reputation for prayer
__ We are probably known as a church devoted to prayer
__ We are the church in our area someone would call to ask for prayer
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Theology
Agree or Disagree:
“The prayer life of our congregation and our members is more a
religious habit than an act of obedience.’
Agree or Disagree:
“Our practice of prayer is based more on the biblical
revelation of God’s character than daily trials and troubles.”
Agree or Disagree:
“The methods and styles of prayer we employ are informed more
by our culture and popular teaching than the scriptures.”
Our Vision
To what extent was our congregation’s Vision Statement birthed in prayer?
How is prayer present (or could be) in our Vision statement?
What evidence can you cite to prove this statement:
“We are dependent upon God for the success of our vision.”
Our Pastor
In the past twelve months, our Pastor (check all that apply)
__ Preached a sermon on prayer
__ Indicated a desire to increase and/or improve his prayer life
__ Called the congregation to fervent prayer
__ Taught a class or small group on prayer
__ Empowered others to lead or facilitate prayer
__ Participated or led an ongoing church prayer group
__ Promoted a prayer training experience
__ Distributed prayer resources for leaders and/or members
__ Read a new book on the subject of prayer
__ Has benefited from a Pastor’s Prayer Support Team
__ Identified and worked closely with intercessors
__ Participated in a Pastors’ Prayer Group
__ Attended a Prayer Retreat
__ Was involved in a community or city wide prayer initiative
__ Involved our church in National day of Prayer (or other events)
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Leaders
Do your leaders (staff, deacons/elders, council/board members):
(check all that apply)
__ Attend the congregational prayer meetings?
__ Express personal dependency upon prayer?
__ Limit prayer in their meetings to a brief “opening” & closing” prayer?
__ Provide financial support for prayer initiatives
__ Understand the relationship between prayer and evangelism
__ Participate in prayer training
__ Consider prayer to be the job of the Prayer Team or intercessors
__ Call the congregation to Solemn Assemblies
__ Rarely pray in public
Our Members
As to the prayer life of our church, our members are:
__ satisfied, __ curious, __ eager to learn, __ hungry for God
When it comes to changing the prayer patterns in our church, our members:
__ initiate new ideas, __ welcome change, __ tolerate, __ resist
What percentage of your church members do you estimate:
__ Participate in a prayer group or meeting? ____
__ Pray at home with their family on a regular basis? ____
__ Participate in some kind of prayer training? ____
__ Request prayer (written or verbally) ____
__ Pray for others who do not yet know Christ? ____
__ Pray for (immediately) others who express a joy or a need? ____
__ Have a prayer burden for another nation? ____
Our members experience prayer (list in order; most to least):
__ Privately at a specific time and place
__ Throughout their daily activities
__ When they face a trial or trouble
__ When someone else prays in a meeting or worship service
__ In a small group
__ (other) _________
Agree or Disagree:
“When we gather for corporate prayer, everyone participates verbally.”
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Worship Service(s)
When the congregation gathers for worship, our prayers are:
(check all that apply)
__ At a preset time in the service
__ Spontaneous
__ Conversational
__ Formal
__ Informal
__ An expression of ritual
__ ”Preachy”
__ List (needs) focused
__ Prewritten
When the congregation gathers for worship, our prayers are:
(check all that apply)
__ Prayed by “clergy” (ordained, staff)
__ Prayed by selected members (a few who rotate)
__ Prayed by selected members (many are considered)
__ Prayed by any member (anyone may volunteer)
__ Prayed by all members (pairs or small groupings; pray in unison)
__ Prayed by all members (prayer recited in unison)
When our congregation gathers for worship (check all that apply):
__ We sing songs that encourage prayer
__ We have banners reminding us of the power of prayer
__ We sing songs that address God; we sing our prayers
__ We weave praise and prayer together as we worship
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Prayer Meetings
(Any gathering devoted to prayer)
We meet for prayer __weekly, __monthly, __quarterly, __annually
Percent of our congregation who attend:
__ weekly
__ monthly
__ quarterly
__ annually
What special need or circumstance prompts an unscheduled gathering?
When we gather for prayer (check all that apply):
__ We are faith-filled __ We follow a routine
__ A few pray __ Everyone contributes
__ We span the globe __ We follow typical lists
__ Most prayers are need-based __ Many pray from scripture
__ We sense God’s presence __ We see prayers answered
The purpose of a prayer meeting (according to our reality):
__ To tell God what we need
__ To praise God and honor Christ first
__ To remind God of all who are sick or grieving
__ To listen for discernment and wisdom
__ To pray for our leaders; congregation and nation
Respond to this statement:
“Frankly, our prayer meetings are more boring than blessing...”
When we gather (check any that apply):
__ We invite the Holy Spirit to facilitate and guide our prayers
__ We ask for the mind of Christ so that our prayers echo Jesus’
__ We desire most to serve God by praising and blessing Him
Our pray focus (list in order; most to least):
__ Upward - Praise
__ Downward - Confession
__ Inward - Seeking God’s will (personal)
__ Outward - Neighbors & Nations
__ Backward - Thanking God for past blessings
__ Forward - Seeking God’s will (corporate)
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Small Groups
Prayer is a core value (list in order; most to least):
__ Sunday School Classes
__ Choir Rehearsal
__ Fellowship Groups
__ Study Groups
__ Committees
Small Group prayer (list in order; most to least):
__ The leader (chairperson, director, moderator, president) prays
__ The leader asks someone to pray
__ Everyone prays around the circle or table
__ Prayer is conversational; people pray as prompted
__ The leader prescribes a format or style
Small Group prayer (list in order; most to least):
__ The group has a protected time for prayer
__ -Prayers tend to be general
__ Prayers are based on stated requests of the members
__ Prayers are based on the group’s agenda
Our Age-Focus Ministries
Our ministries demonstrate a high value for prayer (list in order; most to least):
__ Children’s Ministry
__ Youth Ministry
__ Collegiate
__ Singles
__ Married Couples
__ Families
__ Seniors
__ Other _ _ _
Our ministries provide prayer training (list in order; most to least):
__ Children’s Ministry
__ Youth Ministry
__ Collegiate
__ Singles
__ Married Couples
__ Families
__ Seniors
__ Other _ _ _
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Evangelism Ministries, Special Events & Holidays
We organize prayer preceding evangelistic activities:
__ Always, __Sometimes, __Never
We schedule prayer during evangelistic activities:
__ Always, __Sometimes, __Never
We assign names of new contacts for prayer after evangelistic activities:
__ Always, __Sometimes, __Never
We ask for the opportunity to pray for people (check all that apply):
__ On our church website
__ In each Sunday’s bulletin
__ In the Church Newsletter
__ Through a “pew card”
__ A weekly verbal invitation
__ At a Prayer Table
__ In the Prayer Room
We challenge our members to pray for their neighbors & coworkers
(check all that apply):
__ In small groups (often called Lighthouses of Prayer)
__ In Sunday bulletins
__ In Sermons
__ With inserts and information (bulletin; newsletter)
Our Missions
In what ways are missionaries and missions supported by prayer?
__ Prayer partners as assigned from the congregation
__ Various classes and groups adopt a missionary
__ Our Missions Committee pray faithfully for our missionaries
__ Mission Conferences include focused prayer for global evangelism
__ We pray for missions and missionaries in Sunday services
__ Prayer requests from missionaries are posted or published
__ We offer Prayer Journeys to mission activity locations
__ Teaching mission support prayer is part of our discipleship training
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Equipping for Prayer
Throughout the year we offer (check all that apply):
__ Workshops on various prayer topics
__ Classes on the theology of prayer
__ Studies on biblical praying and pray-ers
__ Sunday sermon series on prayer
__ Prayer retreats
__ Financial assistance for leaders to attend prayer conferences
Training Resources (check all that apply):
__ Prayer resources are purchased and made available
__ Information on resources is posted in newsletters
(Pray! magazine, new book releases, websites, videos...)
__ Free resources for Prayer Ministry Leadership
__ Prayer materials are available in our library/resource center
__ Our congregation provides budget to purchase resources
Our Prayer Ministry Team
Our Prayer Ministry Team (check all that apply):
__ Requires completed training to participate
__ Has a designated leader or coordinator
__ Has two-way communication with the Pastor
__ Is diverse (male/female; young/old)
__ Promotes training to the members of the congregation
__ Utilizes insights from spiritual mapping
Our Prayer Ministry Team includes (check all that apply):
__ PrayerWallking
__ Prayer Room
__ Prayer Chain (phone)
__ Prayer Network (e-mail)
__ Prayer Shield (prayer for the Pastor)
__ Prayer Journeys
__ Prayer Drives
__ Prayer Display Table or Resource Center
__ Prayer Articles in Newsletters
__ Altar Prayer (ministry to those responding after the sermon)
__ Prayer Circle (prayer before the Worship service)
__ Prayer during the Worship service
__ Onsite prayer during outreach events
__ Healing Prayer (by appointment or after the service)
__ Prayer Vigils (hour-by-hour prayer; sign-up)
__ Day of Prayer (everyone praying at home/work with same focus)
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Prayer Partnerships
Our congregation (check all that apply)
__ Prays for other congregations by name
__ Participates in denominational prayer initiatives
__ Participates in community/regional prayer events
Using Acts 1:8, what per cent are your prayers focused upon:
__ Jerusalem (community; city)
__ Judea (region; nation)
__ Samaria (enemies; local issues of injustice)
__ Ends of the Earth (international; unreached people; 10/40 Window)
We participate in (check all that apply)
__ National Day of Prayer
__ See You At The Pole
__ Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
__ Seek God for the City (spring/Lenten prayer initiative)
Our congregation (or a class or a small group) have adopted in prayer:
(check all that apply)
__ School
__ Park (gang activity; children & families)
__ Multi-Housing / Subdivision
__ Local Business (office building; strip mall)
__ Senior Center
__ (other) ____________
Our Congregation
Every congregation, large or small; independent or denominational; evangelical, charismatic, or liturgical, is unique. What areas of your congregation’s life have not been covered? How would you rate the place and prominence of prayer in those areas?
Our Conclusions
Based upon our responses and the witness of the Holy Spirit in this process:
__ We are best considered a Prayer Activity Church
(prayer is limited to traditional routines or rituals and events)
__ We are a Prayer Ministry Church
(several or many prayer teams, opportunities, services offered)
__ We are becoming a Prayer Strategy Church
Strategies are prayer-birthed, leading to...
Ministries that are prayer-based, resulting in...
Activities are all prayer-bathed
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Plans
List Action Plans (goals with deadlines and assignments) for:
The Pastor
Leadership
Worship Services
Small Groups (classes, groups, teams)
Age-Level & Need-Focused Ministries
Prayer Ministry
Members
Prayer Meeting(s)
Equipping / Resourcing / Communicating
Acts 1:8 Praying
Other areas...
Extreme Church Makeover - The Prayer Action Plan
Excerpt From Extreme Church Makeover, (c) 2005 by Neil Anderson and Charles Mylander.
Published by Regal Books, www.regalbooks.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Chapter 11 - The Prayer Action Plan
(Step 6 in the Setting Your Church Free Event)
The conclusion of the Setting Your Church Free event is summarized in the Prayer Action Plan. Hopefully, the group has now heard from God through His conviction and guidance as discerned by the leadership. The leadership is now in a better position to focus their prayers and make plans for action. From the patterns that have emerged, they should know what they need to confess and renounce. However, turning away from that which is sinful and unfruitful is not enough. In keeping with the spirit of repentance, the leadership also must announce their decisions, claim their resources in Christ and affirm the promises of God. The final step is to overcome strategically that which is wrong and advance that which is right.
In 1 and 2 Chronicles and the book of Psalms, the emphasis is upon God’s splendor rather than the splendor of nations, royalty or creation. The Lord is robed with splendor and majesty, and He calls us to worship Him in Spirit and in truth.
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth (Ps. 96:6-9, emphasis added).
God is calling the “families of nations” and “all the earth” to ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. This is not for the nation of Israel alone, but for God’s people everywhere. God intended for Israel to serve as a magnet to draw others to Himself, and Christ commissioned the Church to take His message to all the nations.
Display of Splendor
It is God’s intent to display His splendor among all the nations by means of His people. To glorify God means to manifest His presence, and this can only happen in churches and in children of God who are living in a righteous relationship with Him. Perhaps this is why the seven churches of Revelation are pictured as lampstands. They hold the true light that gives light to everyone (see John 1:4,9). They radiate the splendor of God’s glory. “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). Liberated churches fulfill God’s eternal purposes of revealing His glory and displaying His splendor.
Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor (Isa. 55:5, emphasis added).
Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor (Isa. 60:21, emphasis added).
And provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor (Isa. 61:3, emphasis added).
Some of this prophecy will be fulfilled when Christ comes again and gathers His people to Himself, but are we not called to glorify God in our bodies and in His Body, the Church? Where is the church that God has endowed with splendor? Where are the people who glorify God in their bodies? Could it not be your church? Could it not be your people? Don’t you want the presence of the Lord to be glorified in you and your church?
Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Does the goal of displaying God’s splendor in your church and your community seem too high too reach in this adulterous generation in which we live? What is our witness if God isn’t glorified, if there is no change taking place for the better in our people, if church is little more than a social gathering of like-minded people? If there is no vision of God being glorified in your church, the people will perish.
Listen to the Lord of Splendor
The Lord Jesus gave some sharp commands to His churches in Revelation about their weaknesses, memories, corporate sins and evil attacks. Let’s review His commands before we consider our response:
• Ephesus Remember, repent
• Smyrna Be faithful
• Pergamum Repent
• Thyatira Hold on
• Sardis Wake up; strengthen what remains, remember, obey, repent
• Philadelphia Hold on
• Laodicea Be earnest, repent
The Prayer Action Plan is our response to these commands. It makes four declarations: “We renounce . . . ”; “We announce . . . ”; “We affirm . . . ”; and “We will . . . ” These declarations constitute our response to what our leaders have discerned from God’s guidance, as follows:
• We renounce is our response to Christ’s command, “Repent.”
• We announce is our response to Christ’s command, “Remember.”
• We affirm is our response to Christ’s command, “Hold on.”
• We will is our response to Christ’s command, “Obey.”
It is important that all the church leaders know what they are doing in the Prayer Action Plan. Let’s examine these four commands and our responses.
Repent and Renounce
Again and again, Jesus commands His churches to repent. No playing politics. No delays. No excuses. It is time to change and it is time to change now. Jesus wants decisive action. He shouts, “Stop! Don’t do that anymore! Change your attitude! Change your lifestyle!” He wants His churches to make a clean break with their personal and corporate sins.
What you have discerned does not require six committees bogged down for a year resulting in a two-inch-thick environmental impact report on your church. Jesus is talking about sin, which is offensive to Him and damaging to His people. He wants His churches to abandon their sinful ways right now.
We respond by renouncing that which displeases God. We plead guilty and openly admit that we are and have been wrong—but we do more. We repudiate, reject, disown and disavow any and all sin. We don’t rationalize or defend ourselves. We change our thinking and change our ways.
“We Renouce . . . “
“I renounce you, Satan, and all your works and all your ways” is one of the oldest declarations of the Church. It is in the Book of Common Prayer as part of the baptismal ritual, and many liturgical churches still use it. Just choosing to believe the truth is not enough if we are still holding on to past practices and beliefs. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:1-2:
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God (NASB).
What do churches renounce in the Setting Your Church Free process? The following is a representative list taken from various churches, again using their own wording:
• We renounce complacency and contentment.
• We renounce a critical and judgmental spirit.
• We renounce our passivity in spiritual disciplines.
• We renounce gossip and pettiness.
• We renounce moral failure.
• We renounce factions in the church that separate us from the love and unity of Christ.
• We renounce lukewarmness and weariness in doing the Lord’s work.
• We renounce our distrust of God’s chosen and faithful leaders.
• We renounce our sinful pride that keeps us from confessing our sins and receiving salvation and healing.
• We renounce our poor stewardship of time, talent and treasures.
• We renounce our selfish pride that says “We’re good enough.”
• We renounce our self-focus that produces apathy to the lost.
Although church leaders most often renounce corporate sins, many do not stop there. Some renounce Satan’s attacks, painful memories and weaknesses. The following are more examples:
• We renounce attacks of the devil in stimulating doubts and disagreements.
• We renounce ungodly values that the world imposes on our families.
• We renounce the spirit of darkness and heaviness that seeks to destroy our church.
• We renounce the spirit of fear that paralyzes open sharing, involvement, service and evangelism.
• We renounce attacks on leadership.
• We renounce any footholds gained by the evil one through past hurts and traumas.
• We renounce the spirit of criticism that divides rather than unites.
• We renounce Satan’s use of discouragement as a tool against us.
• We renounce a spirit of division and defeat.
• We renounce the “destroyer” spirit and all his attacks on our church and community.
Keeping the “repent and renounce” declaration in mind, let’s turn to the second response to Christ’s commands. He commands us to remember, and we respond by announcing the riches we have in Christ.
Remember and Announce
It is our fallen human nature to be absorbed in our problems instead of being conscious of Christ’s presence and power. We tend to be problem-centered instead of solution-centered. We must keep in mind who we are in Christ, what He has done on our behalf, and the spiritual power and authority we have to do His will. This is more than a mental exercise; it is a spiritual discipline. It is affirming every day our God-given riches in Christ. John Stott wrote:
So, in practice we should constantly be reminding ourselves who we are. We need to learn to talk to ourselves, and ask ourselves questions: “Don’t you know? Don’t you know the meaning of your conversion and baptism? Don’t you know that you have been united to Christ in His death and resurrection? Don’t you know that you have been enslaved to God and have committed yourself to His obedience? Don’t you know these things? Don’t you know who you are?” We must go on pressing ourselves with such questions, until we reply to ourselves: “Yes, I do know who I am, a new person in Christ, and by the grace of God I shall live accordingly.”1
We respond to Christ’s call to remember by announcing our resources in Christ, declaring them together. In so doing, we focus on our riches in Christ rather than on our poverty without Him. We recall our position in Christ rather than the pain from our past. We claim our resources in Christ, rather than relying on our own strength and resources. We proclaim the positive biblical opposite of what we renounced. To illustrate, let’s look at part of our former list, along with the positive biblical opposites. Again, these are actual declarations from real churches.
• We renounce complacency and contentment.
• We announce that in Christ we have vision, boldness, freedom and confidence.
• We renounce a critical and judgmental spirit.
• We announce that in Christ we have love and acceptance for one another.
• We renounce our passivity in spiritual disciplines.
• We announce that in Christ we have spiritual hunger for intimacy with God.
• We renounce gossip and pettiness.
• We announce that in Christ we have the Holy Spirit who brings unity.
• We renounce moral failure.
• We announce that in Christ we have moral fidelity.
• We renounce factions in the church that separate us from the love and unity of Christ.
• We announce that we are one in Christ Jesus.
With the renounce and announce pattern in mind, we are now ready to consider the third declaration. Jesus commands us to hold on, and we respond by saying, “We affirm.” What we announce focuses on our resources in Christ; what we affirm focuses on God’s promises. In the affirmations, we look for biblical and motivational truths that encourage us to use the riches we have in Christ.
Hold on and Affirm
Affirming the living truth of the gospel helps us to appropriate the promises of God. We hold on so we can hold up. When life is tough, we hold on to what Christ has given us so that we can hold up under the crushing burden of hard times. When life is easy, we must resist turning loose of our riches for the glitter of a cheap substitute. Whatever happens, hold on and keep standing firm in your faith!
Another closely related command from Christ is “Be earnest” (Rev. 3:19) or “Be zealous” (NASB). Motivated Christians are passionate as well as disciplined. They are obedient, steadfast in their faith, enthusiastic about Jesus, glowing with the Holy Spirit and sincere in worship. Hold on to what you know to be true and affirm what motivates you to use your God-given resources for Christ.
Let’s consider some of our declarations with the affirmation statement added:
• We renounce complacency and contentment.
• We announce that in Christ we have vision, boldness, freedom and confidence.
• We affirm that we are children of God and have all His resources (see John 1:12; Rom. 8:16-17; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 3:26-29).
• We renounce a critical and judgmental spirit.
• We announce that in Christ we have love and acceptance for one another.
• We affirm that Christ brings unity and peace among us (see 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 4:3; Phil. 2:1-2).
• We renounce our passivity in spiritual disciplines.
• We announce that in Christ we have spiritual hunger for intimacy with God.
• We affirm that we were created for fellowship with God (see 1 John 1:3,7).
• We renounce gossip and pettiness.
• We announce that in Christ we have the Holy Spirit who brings unity.
• We affirm that Christ can teach us to bridle our tongues and show us how to resolve problems (see Matt. 18:15-17; Eph. 4:29; Jas. 1:26)
The announce and affirm declarations can be easily intertwined. We have found it helpful to keep the “we affirm” statements centered on the promises of Scripture. Here are a couple of examples:
• We renounce acting independently of God.
• We announce that in Christ we have God and all His resources.
• We affirm that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (see Phil. 4:13).
• We renounce our lack of commitment to and practice of spiritual disciplines.
• We announce that in Christ we have continual opportunity to commune with God.
• We affirm that Christ is knocking at our heart’s door, longing for intimacy with us (see Rev. 3:20).
The Will to Obey
With the first three declarations in mind—renounce, announce, affirm—we are ready for the fourth. Jesus does not give us orders and commands without expecting us to obey them.
A pastor asked his junior and senior high school youth to be aware of his vocabulary while he was preaching. He was asking for honest feedback because he did not want to use words that were out of date or that did not communicate his meaning. After listening for some time, the youth reported that “obey” was not a word in their regular vocabulary. Living under the grace of God doesn’t negate our need to obey.
The Prayer Action Plan calls for prayer plus action. In response to Christ’s call to obey, we respond that we will do what He desires. Notice that each of the declarations are connected. When you are completing the “we will” stage, start by looking back at what was renounced in the first declaration. In light of that renunciation, what does Jesus want us to do to obey Him?
What action can we take to counter the corporate sins or spiritual attacks that we have renounced?
Consider our examples once more with the fourth action step added:
• We renounce complacency and contentment.
• We announce that in Christ we have vision, boldness, freedom and confidence.
• We affirm that we are children of God and have all His resources.
• We will step out in faith from our comfort zone.
• We renounce a critical and judgmental spirit.
• We announce that in Christ we have love and acceptance for one another.
• We affirm that Christ brings unity and peace among us.
• We will accept our differences as strengths.
• We renounce our passivity in spiritual disciplines.
• We announce that in Christ we have spiritual hunger for intimacy with God.
• We affirm that we were created for fellowship with God.
• We will teach, preach and regularly practice the spiritual disciplines.
• We renounce gossip and pettiness.
• We announce that in Christ we have the Holy Spirit who brings unity.
• We affirm that Christ can bridle our tongues and show us how to resolve problems.
• We will speak the truth in love.
Step 6 of the Setting Your Church Free Procedure
The Prayer Action Plan (step 6) synthesizes the information gathered in the earlier steps and condenses them in a one-page format. The facilitator should place four large sheets of paper side by side on the wall. All of the previous sheets should be visible as well. On the first sheet, the facilitator should write “We renounce . . . ” On the next three sheets he or she should jot down in order “We announce . . . ”, “We affirm . . . ”, and “We will. . . ” The group is now ready to combine everything discerned so far in short, summary declarations.
The facilitator will next briefly review what the group is summarizing.
1. We will want to renounce the evil (attacks, corporate sins, conflicts, weaknesses). For example, “We renounce division among us.”
2. We will announce the positive biblical opposite of what we renounced, worded in terms of our resources in Christ. For example, “We announce that in Christ we have the unity of the Spirit.”
3. We will affirm in emotional language a scriptural promise or truth that encourages and motivates us in regard to the same item. For example, “We affirm that in the depths of our hearts we are all one in Christ Jesus” (see Gal. 3:26-28).
4. We will commit to an action step that we will take. For example, “We will talk to the right person in the right spirit when conflicts arise.”
The first item on the list should be worked out following the order of “We renounce,” “We announce,” “We affirm” and “We will.” The group can then go on to the next item, and so on.
The goal is to make the shortest list possible without leaving out any major weaknesses, sins and spiritual attacks that were discerned by the leadership. This list, along with the greatest strengths of the church, becomes the Prayer Action Plan. (See appendix B for an example.) The process should begin with group prayer, followed by quiet contemplation in which each individual asks for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, discernment, sense of unity and the right words for the Prayer Action Plan. Fatigue may be a factor by now, so the group should call upon God for divine energy and wisdom to make sense out of all the lists on the sheets.
Making Sense of It
By this time in the Setting Your Church Free day (or evening by now), the task of making a clear summary will seem challenging. Be encouraged. In our experience, every group has come up with an intelligible Prayer Action Plan. The facilitator and some key leaders may take the initiative in suggesting wording, yet it is important to seek mutual agreement for how to word the items.
This part of the process is extremely valuable to the participants, capturing on paper the sense of discovery as the group interacts with one another. Creating an environment for honest communication is a valuable experience for church leadership. Many are relieved that these issues are now out on the table. What is helpful is that the group neither argues nor problem solves, but simply comes to consensus. For one participant, this feature of the seminar was the most helpful:
My best memory from the hours the elders and pastors spent together was all the communication that finally took place. The people need an opportunity to communicate instead of gossip to share their feelings. It was difficult to talk about some issues, but they needed to be brought up! I believe a lot of people felt good about finally being able to share their feelings. I’ve always known how important communication is, but I really didn’t realize how important it is to set an environment for people to be able to talk. It is important to help people feel free to open up. I will try to be aware of this now!
The typical group will discard some suggestions and modify many others. What they state will fit the theology, concerns and style of their own church, because they, not the facilitator, will be discerning the declarations. Each list is unique, stated in a way that only the specific church and group of leaders can describe. Group participation enhances a sense of ownership and unity.
When the process lags, the facilitator may ask, “Is there any other major theme that we have not addressed?” or “What else do you see?” or “Do we have it?” It is not necessary to cover every item on the sheets from previous steps, but rather the major patterns that have emerged. There are usually five to eight items for each of the four declarations.
Binding and Loosing
When the declarations are finished, the group should stand and position themselves so that they can read the four sheets. They should then hold hands and pray the Prayer Action Plan aloud. This prayer is essential. All the authority of heaven stands behind church leaders who fully agree and unite in prayer about a matter that they discern in the presence of God.
When they declare it together, they are exercising the power of binding and loosing:
I [Jesus] will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven (Matt. 16:19, NASB).
Binding and loosing is not manipulating God or making up our minds about something whereby God must respond to us. The New International Version and most other modern translations of the Bible often have a footnote indicating an “alternative reading” of this passage that agrees with the New American Standard translation quoted above. Look carefully at the wording again: “Whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (emphasis added). The task of church leaders is to discern what has already been bound or loosed in heaven and then announce it on Earth. In the Prayer Action Plan, we bind by renouncing and loose by announcing. We never ask the Lord to capitulate to our will; we gladly surrender to His will.
The above verse in Matthew follows Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (see Matt. 16:16). In response, Jesus promises, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matt. 16:18).
R. E. Nixon writes, “The gates suggest the picture of a fortress or prison which lock in the dead and lock out their rescuers. This would imply that the church is on the offensive, and its Master will plunder the domain of Satan.”2 Note the spiritual warfare reference in this passage and in Matthew 12:29. In the Prayer Action Plan, we renounce the efforts of the “gates of Hades” to hold people captive and hinder the building of Christ’s Church. We then announce our resources in Christ by which our Lord builds His Church.
Church Discipline
The same teaching is found in Matthew 18, but the context gives instructions for church discipline. The need for church discipline may surface during the Setting Your Church Free process. We are on safe biblical grounds using our God-given authority in Christ to bind and loose (renounce and announce) what we discern as Christ’s will for our local churches.
Authorized by Christ
Let’s consider what the Church is authorized by Christ to do.
The Church has prayer authority. What we have discerned together about each issue in our Prayer Action Plan we can pray and announce with spiritual authority based on what Jesus said about two or more gathering in His name (see Matt. 18:18-20). The two or three do not decide amongst themselves what they believe or want. They collectively discern God’s will.
The Church has teaching authority. We have the God-given right and responsibility to teach and preach what we scripturally discern as Christ’s will for our church.
The Church has disciplinary authority. If we find that members, and especially leaders, of our church are living in defiance of clear scriptural teachings and we agree about our discernment of Christ’s direction for what we must do, He gives us the authority to take appropriate action within our church.
Church discipline is always a painful and touchy subject. Yet we dare not ignore what the Bible teaches. We are not to judge one another’s character, especially when we have not taken into account the plank in our own eyes (see Matt. 7:1-5). However, the Church must discipline those who are living in sin for their sake (see Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:3-13; 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:19-20). Discipline is not punishment for wrong done, nor is it retroactive. Discipline must be based on observed behavior by one or more witnesses, with the intention of helping the people live righteous lives in the future:
For they [fathers] disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He [God] disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Heb. 12:10-11, NASB).
If you ignore church discipline, you may suffer public scandal. Non-Christians use church sins as an excuse for rejecting Christ, and the media loves to exploit church scandals. Christian leaders falling prey to sexual abuse or financial fraud fuels the media fire. In addition, immature Christians often follow the example of fallen leaders in disobeying the Lord Jesus.
A Biblical View
For years, Neil taught biblical principles of church discipline in his seminary classes. As a denominational official, I have experienced my share of personal pain, not to mention the pain I have witnessed of others involved in disciplinary processes. Church leaders will feel the tension between protecting the church from scandal and confronting sin. The Catholic Church recently tried to do the former, but failed in the end. Secret sin on Earth is open scandal in heaven. Jesus said there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed. When Paul states that “those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning” (1 Tim. 5:20, NASB), he was not being vindictive but was confronting sin in such a way so that people can have a way of resolving issues. When sin is tolerated or covered up, people can’t process the problem, and it becomes divisive in their homes and churches. The person confronted can repent, and others can forgive and learn from the experience.
Discipline is the proof of Christian love (see Heb. 12:5-11) and is essential for the health of the church. To pray passively, asking God to do what He has commanded church leadership and parents to do, is to fail in our responsibility as church leaders and as parents. The purpose of discipline is to carry out the ministry of reconciliation and to restore a Christian brother or sister caught in a sin (see Gal. 6:1). The goal is not to expose the sin, but to win back the offender and to enhance the purity of the church.
It is essential to base discipline upon prior instruction and observed behavior. If there is no standard, there is no sin. If reputable witnesses observe sinful behavior, there is no judgment taking place. The person is “caught in a sin” (see Gal. 6:1). Discipline is related to behavior, whereas judgment is related to character. When all attempts at reconciliation have failed, Scripture teaches a breaking off of fellowship, and the nature of the sin is to be told to the church (see Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Tim. 5:19-20).
Who decides when breaking this fellowship is required? Does knowledge on the part of the elders or church board constitute telling the church? A word to the wise: Always honor the procedures of your church’s polity in disciplinary matters. In a lawsuit-oriented society, following due process saves much grief. However, no church polity or lack of it can nullify the commands given to church leaders in Scripture. (In addition to the passages already cited, see 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:14-15; Titus 3:9-11.)
Risking Lawsuits
Civil courts usually don’t hear cases involving internal church disputes, but they may if slander, libel, invasion of privacy or economic disaster are involved. Church discipline toward members living in defiance of Scripture raises some important questions: What is the basis of a lawsuit against a church in a discipline case? How can a church protect itself and still obey the commands of Jesus? What precautions can a church take to stay out of legal trouble? What are the limits of the law that everyone, including church leaders, must abide by?
The Bible tells us, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders” (Col. 4:5; also see 1 Thess. 4:12; 1 Tim. 3:7; 1 Pet. 3:16-17). People who win lawsuits against churches usually base their case on the violation of one or more sensitive legal issues, and we recommend that you confer with a Christian attorney for legal counsel. However, every church leader should be aware of the following three pitfalls:
1. Slander, libel or defamation of character is illegal. Slanderous statements are those that are untrue or that may be true but are intended to damage a person’s reputation. For the matter to be considered slander, it must be published to a third party. It is not slander or libel for the pastor, elders or the official board to confront a church member about sexual immorality or any overt sin. It is slander if they publish it to others in a way that damages the person’s reputation.
2. Invasion of privacy is illegal. This provision is difficult for churches because legitimate privacy rights are sometimes used as a cover for private sin. However, churches cannot legally take a private relationship and make it public in a harmful way. Church discipline by the pastor, elders or church board is not invasion of privacy if these standards are previously published and known by the offender. Any public censure or excommunication proceedings must use fairly general terms. All statements, written and oral, need to be prepared carefully and fall in line with Scripture and official church polity.
3. Inflicting a detrimental effect on a person’s economic status is illegal. One church took disciplinary action against a member who worked as an insurance salesman. Most of his customers were also members of the same church. The church leaders advised the people not to aid him in any way. Many of the church members dropped the insurance policies that they purchased from him, and his business declined dramatically. The man sued. The caution here is for churches not to go beyond the biblical limits of discipline. Dropping a person from membership and fellowship is legal; inflicting economic harm on that person is not.
For more information on the ministry of reconciliation, see our book Blessed Are the Peacemakers (Regal Books, 2002). This book lists the steps that can be taken to help believers be reconciled with God and each other.
Some Precautions
The following points describe what churches can do to protect themselves from a lawsuit:
1. A church can publish its standards of conduct and church discipline and communicate them to all members. The membership class is the ideal place to explain Scripture relating to church discipline. In a positive way, the leaders can explain why those in the church care so much about each other that they resolve conflict early and privately. Public discipline is a last resort that will be imposed only under the conditions stated in the church’s standards of conduct and church discipline. Disciplinary matters in the Church should never be settled in public courts (see 1 Cor. 6:1-11). Independent Christian mediation organizations often are helpful in resolving disputes between church members.
2. A church can communicate what steps of disciplinary action it may take and in what kinds of cases it will take that action (see 1 Cor. 5:1-5; 6:9-11; 2 Thess. 3:14-15; 1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 2:17-18; Rev. 2:14-16). All church staff members should be notified in writing in advance of their hiring that immediate dismissal is the consequence of sexual immorality, financial fraud or any scandalous sin. After making the basic knowledge known, it is better to act than to talk. In other words, do not make threats. The church must follow its stated polity and procedures explicitly and use due diligence. Counseling and restoration procedures should be part of the process so that the offender does not repeat the same sins in the next church.
3. A church needs to limit the number of people who are part of the process and give only general information to others. This is both gentle and wise (see Gal. 6:1; Eph. 5:15-16). Any communication with the offenders should explain the biblical basis for the actions taken and avoid anything that might be construed as slander. In most cases, it is wise to keep everything, including church minutes, out of print or in general terms. Written documents provide the kind of evidence attorneys will use in court.
Praying in Unity
Let’s return now to the Prayer Action Plan that the participants have just prayed through. In prayer, they bind what has been bound in heaven and loose what has been loosed in heaven. They have discerned Christ’s will for their church and responded in prayer.
A sense of accomplishment and joy is felt by the group as they join together in declaring their Prayer Action Plan to God. The sense of unity is what participants remember the most. One pastor wrote, “My best memory from the Setting Your Church Free seminar was the sense of unity with which everyone responded. Although each person had unique insights and comments, when it came to the big issues, there was unity and agreement, and a sense of working together.”
The Prayer Action Plan becomes a tangible way to submit to God and resist the devil on behalf of the whole church. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jas. 4:7). One pastor commented, “I didn’t realize this was like a letter from Jesus. That would have added a lot of power to it!” It is helpful to think of your Prayer Action Plan as a letter from Jesus, or at the very least, think of it as your discernment of what Jesus would write in a letter to your church.
The process is eye-opening for many of the leaders. Most arrive for the event having only hazy ideas about their own corporate sins and attacks from the evil one. Now they are in unity about the actual spiritual health of their church and have a plan that calls for prayer plus action. One person wrote, “Since completing the Setting Your Church Free seminar, we have a concrete understanding of our strengths and weaknesses, areas where God is blessing and areas where the enemy has strongholds. We now have the ability to pray and work specifically to be completely free.”
Recall that each of the seven letters of Revelation contains the exhortation “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22). Hearing with the intention of obeying is the proper idea of this passage. Little children often procrastinate or stall when their parents ask them to do something, to which the parent often responds, “Did you hear me?” The children have heard with their physical ears, but what the parent is really asking is “Are you going to obey me now?” Your heavenly Father is saying, “Did you hear Me? Are you willing to obey?” A strategy for putting the message of this book into action is the subject of our last chapter.
Notes
1. John Stott, Romans: God’s Good News for the World (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994), p. 187.
2. R. E. Nixon, “Matthew,” The New Bible Commentary: Revised (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1970), p. 837.
- Show quoted text -
Published by Regal Books, www.regalbooks.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Chapter 11 - The Prayer Action Plan
(Step 6 in the Setting Your Church Free Event)
The conclusion of the Setting Your Church Free event is summarized in the Prayer Action Plan. Hopefully, the group has now heard from God through His conviction and guidance as discerned by the leadership. The leadership is now in a better position to focus their prayers and make plans for action. From the patterns that have emerged, they should know what they need to confess and renounce. However, turning away from that which is sinful and unfruitful is not enough. In keeping with the spirit of repentance, the leadership also must announce their decisions, claim their resources in Christ and affirm the promises of God. The final step is to overcome strategically that which is wrong and advance that which is right.
In 1 and 2 Chronicles and the book of Psalms, the emphasis is upon God’s splendor rather than the splendor of nations, royalty or creation. The Lord is robed with splendor and majesty, and He calls us to worship Him in Spirit and in truth.
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth (Ps. 96:6-9, emphasis added).
God is calling the “families of nations” and “all the earth” to ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. This is not for the nation of Israel alone, but for God’s people everywhere. God intended for Israel to serve as a magnet to draw others to Himself, and Christ commissioned the Church to take His message to all the nations.
Display of Splendor
It is God’s intent to display His splendor among all the nations by means of His people. To glorify God means to manifest His presence, and this can only happen in churches and in children of God who are living in a righteous relationship with Him. Perhaps this is why the seven churches of Revelation are pictured as lampstands. They hold the true light that gives light to everyone (see John 1:4,9). They radiate the splendor of God’s glory. “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). Liberated churches fulfill God’s eternal purposes of revealing His glory and displaying His splendor.
Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor (Isa. 55:5, emphasis added).
Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor (Isa. 60:21, emphasis added).
And provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor (Isa. 61:3, emphasis added).
Some of this prophecy will be fulfilled when Christ comes again and gathers His people to Himself, but are we not called to glorify God in our bodies and in His Body, the Church? Where is the church that God has endowed with splendor? Where are the people who glorify God in their bodies? Could it not be your church? Could it not be your people? Don’t you want the presence of the Lord to be glorified in you and your church?
Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Does the goal of displaying God’s splendor in your church and your community seem too high too reach in this adulterous generation in which we live? What is our witness if God isn’t glorified, if there is no change taking place for the better in our people, if church is little more than a social gathering of like-minded people? If there is no vision of God being glorified in your church, the people will perish.
Listen to the Lord of Splendor
The Lord Jesus gave some sharp commands to His churches in Revelation about their weaknesses, memories, corporate sins and evil attacks. Let’s review His commands before we consider our response:
• Ephesus Remember, repent
• Smyrna Be faithful
• Pergamum Repent
• Thyatira Hold on
• Sardis Wake up; strengthen what remains, remember, obey, repent
• Philadelphia Hold on
• Laodicea Be earnest, repent
The Prayer Action Plan is our response to these commands. It makes four declarations: “We renounce . . . ”; “We announce . . . ”; “We affirm . . . ”; and “We will . . . ” These declarations constitute our response to what our leaders have discerned from God’s guidance, as follows:
• We renounce is our response to Christ’s command, “Repent.”
• We announce is our response to Christ’s command, “Remember.”
• We affirm is our response to Christ’s command, “Hold on.”
• We will is our response to Christ’s command, “Obey.”
It is important that all the church leaders know what they are doing in the Prayer Action Plan. Let’s examine these four commands and our responses.
Repent and Renounce
Again and again, Jesus commands His churches to repent. No playing politics. No delays. No excuses. It is time to change and it is time to change now. Jesus wants decisive action. He shouts, “Stop! Don’t do that anymore! Change your attitude! Change your lifestyle!” He wants His churches to make a clean break with their personal and corporate sins.
What you have discerned does not require six committees bogged down for a year resulting in a two-inch-thick environmental impact report on your church. Jesus is talking about sin, which is offensive to Him and damaging to His people. He wants His churches to abandon their sinful ways right now.
We respond by renouncing that which displeases God. We plead guilty and openly admit that we are and have been wrong—but we do more. We repudiate, reject, disown and disavow any and all sin. We don’t rationalize or defend ourselves. We change our thinking and change our ways.
“We Renouce . . . “
“I renounce you, Satan, and all your works and all your ways” is one of the oldest declarations of the Church. It is in the Book of Common Prayer as part of the baptismal ritual, and many liturgical churches still use it. Just choosing to believe the truth is not enough if we are still holding on to past practices and beliefs. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:1-2:
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God (NASB).
What do churches renounce in the Setting Your Church Free process? The following is a representative list taken from various churches, again using their own wording:
• We renounce complacency and contentment.
• We renounce a critical and judgmental spirit.
• We renounce our passivity in spiritual disciplines.
• We renounce gossip and pettiness.
• We renounce moral failure.
• We renounce factions in the church that separate us from the love and unity of Christ.
• We renounce lukewarmness and weariness in doing the Lord’s work.
• We renounce our distrust of God’s chosen and faithful leaders.
• We renounce our sinful pride that keeps us from confessing our sins and receiving salvation and healing.
• We renounce our poor stewardship of time, talent and treasures.
• We renounce our selfish pride that says “We’re good enough.”
• We renounce our self-focus that produces apathy to the lost.
Although church leaders most often renounce corporate sins, many do not stop there. Some renounce Satan’s attacks, painful memories and weaknesses. The following are more examples:
• We renounce attacks of the devil in stimulating doubts and disagreements.
• We renounce ungodly values that the world imposes on our families.
• We renounce the spirit of darkness and heaviness that seeks to destroy our church.
• We renounce the spirit of fear that paralyzes open sharing, involvement, service and evangelism.
• We renounce attacks on leadership.
• We renounce any footholds gained by the evil one through past hurts and traumas.
• We renounce the spirit of criticism that divides rather than unites.
• We renounce Satan’s use of discouragement as a tool against us.
• We renounce a spirit of division and defeat.
• We renounce the “destroyer” spirit and all his attacks on our church and community.
Keeping the “repent and renounce” declaration in mind, let’s turn to the second response to Christ’s commands. He commands us to remember, and we respond by announcing the riches we have in Christ.
Remember and Announce
It is our fallen human nature to be absorbed in our problems instead of being conscious of Christ’s presence and power. We tend to be problem-centered instead of solution-centered. We must keep in mind who we are in Christ, what He has done on our behalf, and the spiritual power and authority we have to do His will. This is more than a mental exercise; it is a spiritual discipline. It is affirming every day our God-given riches in Christ. John Stott wrote:
So, in practice we should constantly be reminding ourselves who we are. We need to learn to talk to ourselves, and ask ourselves questions: “Don’t you know? Don’t you know the meaning of your conversion and baptism? Don’t you know that you have been united to Christ in His death and resurrection? Don’t you know that you have been enslaved to God and have committed yourself to His obedience? Don’t you know these things? Don’t you know who you are?” We must go on pressing ourselves with such questions, until we reply to ourselves: “Yes, I do know who I am, a new person in Christ, and by the grace of God I shall live accordingly.”1
We respond to Christ’s call to remember by announcing our resources in Christ, declaring them together. In so doing, we focus on our riches in Christ rather than on our poverty without Him. We recall our position in Christ rather than the pain from our past. We claim our resources in Christ, rather than relying on our own strength and resources. We proclaim the positive biblical opposite of what we renounced. To illustrate, let’s look at part of our former list, along with the positive biblical opposites. Again, these are actual declarations from real churches.
• We renounce complacency and contentment.
• We announce that in Christ we have vision, boldness, freedom and confidence.
• We renounce a critical and judgmental spirit.
• We announce that in Christ we have love and acceptance for one another.
• We renounce our passivity in spiritual disciplines.
• We announce that in Christ we have spiritual hunger for intimacy with God.
• We renounce gossip and pettiness.
• We announce that in Christ we have the Holy Spirit who brings unity.
• We renounce moral failure.
• We announce that in Christ we have moral fidelity.
• We renounce factions in the church that separate us from the love and unity of Christ.
• We announce that we are one in Christ Jesus.
With the renounce and announce pattern in mind, we are now ready to consider the third declaration. Jesus commands us to hold on, and we respond by saying, “We affirm.” What we announce focuses on our resources in Christ; what we affirm focuses on God’s promises. In the affirmations, we look for biblical and motivational truths that encourage us to use the riches we have in Christ.
Hold on and Affirm
Affirming the living truth of the gospel helps us to appropriate the promises of God. We hold on so we can hold up. When life is tough, we hold on to what Christ has given us so that we can hold up under the crushing burden of hard times. When life is easy, we must resist turning loose of our riches for the glitter of a cheap substitute. Whatever happens, hold on and keep standing firm in your faith!
Another closely related command from Christ is “Be earnest” (Rev. 3:19) or “Be zealous” (NASB). Motivated Christians are passionate as well as disciplined. They are obedient, steadfast in their faith, enthusiastic about Jesus, glowing with the Holy Spirit and sincere in worship. Hold on to what you know to be true and affirm what motivates you to use your God-given resources for Christ.
Let’s consider some of our declarations with the affirmation statement added:
• We renounce complacency and contentment.
• We announce that in Christ we have vision, boldness, freedom and confidence.
• We affirm that we are children of God and have all His resources (see John 1:12; Rom. 8:16-17; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 3:26-29).
• We renounce a critical and judgmental spirit.
• We announce that in Christ we have love and acceptance for one another.
• We affirm that Christ brings unity and peace among us (see 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 4:3; Phil. 2:1-2).
• We renounce our passivity in spiritual disciplines.
• We announce that in Christ we have spiritual hunger for intimacy with God.
• We affirm that we were created for fellowship with God (see 1 John 1:3,7).
• We renounce gossip and pettiness.
• We announce that in Christ we have the Holy Spirit who brings unity.
• We affirm that Christ can teach us to bridle our tongues and show us how to resolve problems (see Matt. 18:15-17; Eph. 4:29; Jas. 1:26)
The announce and affirm declarations can be easily intertwined. We have found it helpful to keep the “we affirm” statements centered on the promises of Scripture. Here are a couple of examples:
• We renounce acting independently of God.
• We announce that in Christ we have God and all His resources.
• We affirm that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (see Phil. 4:13).
• We renounce our lack of commitment to and practice of spiritual disciplines.
• We announce that in Christ we have continual opportunity to commune with God.
• We affirm that Christ is knocking at our heart’s door, longing for intimacy with us (see Rev. 3:20).
The Will to Obey
With the first three declarations in mind—renounce, announce, affirm—we are ready for the fourth. Jesus does not give us orders and commands without expecting us to obey them.
A pastor asked his junior and senior high school youth to be aware of his vocabulary while he was preaching. He was asking for honest feedback because he did not want to use words that were out of date or that did not communicate his meaning. After listening for some time, the youth reported that “obey” was not a word in their regular vocabulary. Living under the grace of God doesn’t negate our need to obey.
The Prayer Action Plan calls for prayer plus action. In response to Christ’s call to obey, we respond that we will do what He desires. Notice that each of the declarations are connected. When you are completing the “we will” stage, start by looking back at what was renounced in the first declaration. In light of that renunciation, what does Jesus want us to do to obey Him?
What action can we take to counter the corporate sins or spiritual attacks that we have renounced?
Consider our examples once more with the fourth action step added:
• We renounce complacency and contentment.
• We announce that in Christ we have vision, boldness, freedom and confidence.
• We affirm that we are children of God and have all His resources.
• We will step out in faith from our comfort zone.
• We renounce a critical and judgmental spirit.
• We announce that in Christ we have love and acceptance for one another.
• We affirm that Christ brings unity and peace among us.
• We will accept our differences as strengths.
• We renounce our passivity in spiritual disciplines.
• We announce that in Christ we have spiritual hunger for intimacy with God.
• We affirm that we were created for fellowship with God.
• We will teach, preach and regularly practice the spiritual disciplines.
• We renounce gossip and pettiness.
• We announce that in Christ we have the Holy Spirit who brings unity.
• We affirm that Christ can bridle our tongues and show us how to resolve problems.
• We will speak the truth in love.
Step 6 of the Setting Your Church Free Procedure
The Prayer Action Plan (step 6) synthesizes the information gathered in the earlier steps and condenses them in a one-page format. The facilitator should place four large sheets of paper side by side on the wall. All of the previous sheets should be visible as well. On the first sheet, the facilitator should write “We renounce . . . ” On the next three sheets he or she should jot down in order “We announce . . . ”, “We affirm . . . ”, and “We will. . . ” The group is now ready to combine everything discerned so far in short, summary declarations.
The facilitator will next briefly review what the group is summarizing.
1. We will want to renounce the evil (attacks, corporate sins, conflicts, weaknesses). For example, “We renounce division among us.”
2. We will announce the positive biblical opposite of what we renounced, worded in terms of our resources in Christ. For example, “We announce that in Christ we have the unity of the Spirit.”
3. We will affirm in emotional language a scriptural promise or truth that encourages and motivates us in regard to the same item. For example, “We affirm that in the depths of our hearts we are all one in Christ Jesus” (see Gal. 3:26-28).
4. We will commit to an action step that we will take. For example, “We will talk to the right person in the right spirit when conflicts arise.”
The first item on the list should be worked out following the order of “We renounce,” “We announce,” “We affirm” and “We will.” The group can then go on to the next item, and so on.
The goal is to make the shortest list possible without leaving out any major weaknesses, sins and spiritual attacks that were discerned by the leadership. This list, along with the greatest strengths of the church, becomes the Prayer Action Plan. (See appendix B for an example.) The process should begin with group prayer, followed by quiet contemplation in which each individual asks for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, discernment, sense of unity and the right words for the Prayer Action Plan. Fatigue may be a factor by now, so the group should call upon God for divine energy and wisdom to make sense out of all the lists on the sheets.
Making Sense of It
By this time in the Setting Your Church Free day (or evening by now), the task of making a clear summary will seem challenging. Be encouraged. In our experience, every group has come up with an intelligible Prayer Action Plan. The facilitator and some key leaders may take the initiative in suggesting wording, yet it is important to seek mutual agreement for how to word the items.
This part of the process is extremely valuable to the participants, capturing on paper the sense of discovery as the group interacts with one another. Creating an environment for honest communication is a valuable experience for church leadership. Many are relieved that these issues are now out on the table. What is helpful is that the group neither argues nor problem solves, but simply comes to consensus. For one participant, this feature of the seminar was the most helpful:
My best memory from the hours the elders and pastors spent together was all the communication that finally took place. The people need an opportunity to communicate instead of gossip to share their feelings. It was difficult to talk about some issues, but they needed to be brought up! I believe a lot of people felt good about finally being able to share their feelings. I’ve always known how important communication is, but I really didn’t realize how important it is to set an environment for people to be able to talk. It is important to help people feel free to open up. I will try to be aware of this now!
The typical group will discard some suggestions and modify many others. What they state will fit the theology, concerns and style of their own church, because they, not the facilitator, will be discerning the declarations. Each list is unique, stated in a way that only the specific church and group of leaders can describe. Group participation enhances a sense of ownership and unity.
When the process lags, the facilitator may ask, “Is there any other major theme that we have not addressed?” or “What else do you see?” or “Do we have it?” It is not necessary to cover every item on the sheets from previous steps, but rather the major patterns that have emerged. There are usually five to eight items for each of the four declarations.
Binding and Loosing
When the declarations are finished, the group should stand and position themselves so that they can read the four sheets. They should then hold hands and pray the Prayer Action Plan aloud. This prayer is essential. All the authority of heaven stands behind church leaders who fully agree and unite in prayer about a matter that they discern in the presence of God.
When they declare it together, they are exercising the power of binding and loosing:
I [Jesus] will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven (Matt. 16:19, NASB).
Binding and loosing is not manipulating God or making up our minds about something whereby God must respond to us. The New International Version and most other modern translations of the Bible often have a footnote indicating an “alternative reading” of this passage that agrees with the New American Standard translation quoted above. Look carefully at the wording again: “Whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (emphasis added). The task of church leaders is to discern what has already been bound or loosed in heaven and then announce it on Earth. In the Prayer Action Plan, we bind by renouncing and loose by announcing. We never ask the Lord to capitulate to our will; we gladly surrender to His will.
The above verse in Matthew follows Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (see Matt. 16:16). In response, Jesus promises, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matt. 16:18).
R. E. Nixon writes, “The gates suggest the picture of a fortress or prison which lock in the dead and lock out their rescuers. This would imply that the church is on the offensive, and its Master will plunder the domain of Satan.”2 Note the spiritual warfare reference in this passage and in Matthew 12:29. In the Prayer Action Plan, we renounce the efforts of the “gates of Hades” to hold people captive and hinder the building of Christ’s Church. We then announce our resources in Christ by which our Lord builds His Church.
Church Discipline
The same teaching is found in Matthew 18, but the context gives instructions for church discipline. The need for church discipline may surface during the Setting Your Church Free process. We are on safe biblical grounds using our God-given authority in Christ to bind and loose (renounce and announce) what we discern as Christ’s will for our local churches.
Authorized by Christ
Let’s consider what the Church is authorized by Christ to do.
The Church has prayer authority. What we have discerned together about each issue in our Prayer Action Plan we can pray and announce with spiritual authority based on what Jesus said about two or more gathering in His name (see Matt. 18:18-20). The two or three do not decide amongst themselves what they believe or want. They collectively discern God’s will.
The Church has teaching authority. We have the God-given right and responsibility to teach and preach what we scripturally discern as Christ’s will for our church.
The Church has disciplinary authority. If we find that members, and especially leaders, of our church are living in defiance of clear scriptural teachings and we agree about our discernment of Christ’s direction for what we must do, He gives us the authority to take appropriate action within our church.
Church discipline is always a painful and touchy subject. Yet we dare not ignore what the Bible teaches. We are not to judge one another’s character, especially when we have not taken into account the plank in our own eyes (see Matt. 7:1-5). However, the Church must discipline those who are living in sin for their sake (see Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:3-13; 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:19-20). Discipline is not punishment for wrong done, nor is it retroactive. Discipline must be based on observed behavior by one or more witnesses, with the intention of helping the people live righteous lives in the future:
For they [fathers] disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He [God] disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Heb. 12:10-11, NASB).
If you ignore church discipline, you may suffer public scandal. Non-Christians use church sins as an excuse for rejecting Christ, and the media loves to exploit church scandals. Christian leaders falling prey to sexual abuse or financial fraud fuels the media fire. In addition, immature Christians often follow the example of fallen leaders in disobeying the Lord Jesus.
A Biblical View
For years, Neil taught biblical principles of church discipline in his seminary classes. As a denominational official, I have experienced my share of personal pain, not to mention the pain I have witnessed of others involved in disciplinary processes. Church leaders will feel the tension between protecting the church from scandal and confronting sin. The Catholic Church recently tried to do the former, but failed in the end. Secret sin on Earth is open scandal in heaven. Jesus said there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed. When Paul states that “those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning” (1 Tim. 5:20, NASB), he was not being vindictive but was confronting sin in such a way so that people can have a way of resolving issues. When sin is tolerated or covered up, people can’t process the problem, and it becomes divisive in their homes and churches. The person confronted can repent, and others can forgive and learn from the experience.
Discipline is the proof of Christian love (see Heb. 12:5-11) and is essential for the health of the church. To pray passively, asking God to do what He has commanded church leadership and parents to do, is to fail in our responsibility as church leaders and as parents. The purpose of discipline is to carry out the ministry of reconciliation and to restore a Christian brother or sister caught in a sin (see Gal. 6:1). The goal is not to expose the sin, but to win back the offender and to enhance the purity of the church.
It is essential to base discipline upon prior instruction and observed behavior. If there is no standard, there is no sin. If reputable witnesses observe sinful behavior, there is no judgment taking place. The person is “caught in a sin” (see Gal. 6:1). Discipline is related to behavior, whereas judgment is related to character. When all attempts at reconciliation have failed, Scripture teaches a breaking off of fellowship, and the nature of the sin is to be told to the church (see Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Tim. 5:19-20).
Who decides when breaking this fellowship is required? Does knowledge on the part of the elders or church board constitute telling the church? A word to the wise: Always honor the procedures of your church’s polity in disciplinary matters. In a lawsuit-oriented society, following due process saves much grief. However, no church polity or lack of it can nullify the commands given to church leaders in Scripture. (In addition to the passages already cited, see 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:14-15; Titus 3:9-11.)
Risking Lawsuits
Civil courts usually don’t hear cases involving internal church disputes, but they may if slander, libel, invasion of privacy or economic disaster are involved. Church discipline toward members living in defiance of Scripture raises some important questions: What is the basis of a lawsuit against a church in a discipline case? How can a church protect itself and still obey the commands of Jesus? What precautions can a church take to stay out of legal trouble? What are the limits of the law that everyone, including church leaders, must abide by?
The Bible tells us, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders” (Col. 4:5; also see 1 Thess. 4:12; 1 Tim. 3:7; 1 Pet. 3:16-17). People who win lawsuits against churches usually base their case on the violation of one or more sensitive legal issues, and we recommend that you confer with a Christian attorney for legal counsel. However, every church leader should be aware of the following three pitfalls:
1. Slander, libel or defamation of character is illegal. Slanderous statements are those that are untrue or that may be true but are intended to damage a person’s reputation. For the matter to be considered slander, it must be published to a third party. It is not slander or libel for the pastor, elders or the official board to confront a church member about sexual immorality or any overt sin. It is slander if they publish it to others in a way that damages the person’s reputation.
2. Invasion of privacy is illegal. This provision is difficult for churches because legitimate privacy rights are sometimes used as a cover for private sin. However, churches cannot legally take a private relationship and make it public in a harmful way. Church discipline by the pastor, elders or church board is not invasion of privacy if these standards are previously published and known by the offender. Any public censure or excommunication proceedings must use fairly general terms. All statements, written and oral, need to be prepared carefully and fall in line with Scripture and official church polity.
3. Inflicting a detrimental effect on a person’s economic status is illegal. One church took disciplinary action against a member who worked as an insurance salesman. Most of his customers were also members of the same church. The church leaders advised the people not to aid him in any way. Many of the church members dropped the insurance policies that they purchased from him, and his business declined dramatically. The man sued. The caution here is for churches not to go beyond the biblical limits of discipline. Dropping a person from membership and fellowship is legal; inflicting economic harm on that person is not.
For more information on the ministry of reconciliation, see our book Blessed Are the Peacemakers (Regal Books, 2002). This book lists the steps that can be taken to help believers be reconciled with God and each other.
Some Precautions
The following points describe what churches can do to protect themselves from a lawsuit:
1. A church can publish its standards of conduct and church discipline and communicate them to all members. The membership class is the ideal place to explain Scripture relating to church discipline. In a positive way, the leaders can explain why those in the church care so much about each other that they resolve conflict early and privately. Public discipline is a last resort that will be imposed only under the conditions stated in the church’s standards of conduct and church discipline. Disciplinary matters in the Church should never be settled in public courts (see 1 Cor. 6:1-11). Independent Christian mediation organizations often are helpful in resolving disputes between church members.
2. A church can communicate what steps of disciplinary action it may take and in what kinds of cases it will take that action (see 1 Cor. 5:1-5; 6:9-11; 2 Thess. 3:14-15; 1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 2:17-18; Rev. 2:14-16). All church staff members should be notified in writing in advance of their hiring that immediate dismissal is the consequence of sexual immorality, financial fraud or any scandalous sin. After making the basic knowledge known, it is better to act than to talk. In other words, do not make threats. The church must follow its stated polity and procedures explicitly and use due diligence. Counseling and restoration procedures should be part of the process so that the offender does not repeat the same sins in the next church.
3. A church needs to limit the number of people who are part of the process and give only general information to others. This is both gentle and wise (see Gal. 6:1; Eph. 5:15-16). Any communication with the offenders should explain the biblical basis for the actions taken and avoid anything that might be construed as slander. In most cases, it is wise to keep everything, including church minutes, out of print or in general terms. Written documents provide the kind of evidence attorneys will use in court.
Praying in Unity
Let’s return now to the Prayer Action Plan that the participants have just prayed through. In prayer, they bind what has been bound in heaven and loose what has been loosed in heaven. They have discerned Christ’s will for their church and responded in prayer.
A sense of accomplishment and joy is felt by the group as they join together in declaring their Prayer Action Plan to God. The sense of unity is what participants remember the most. One pastor wrote, “My best memory from the Setting Your Church Free seminar was the sense of unity with which everyone responded. Although each person had unique insights and comments, when it came to the big issues, there was unity and agreement, and a sense of working together.”
The Prayer Action Plan becomes a tangible way to submit to God and resist the devil on behalf of the whole church. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jas. 4:7). One pastor commented, “I didn’t realize this was like a letter from Jesus. That would have added a lot of power to it!” It is helpful to think of your Prayer Action Plan as a letter from Jesus, or at the very least, think of it as your discernment of what Jesus would write in a letter to your church.
The process is eye-opening for many of the leaders. Most arrive for the event having only hazy ideas about their own corporate sins and attacks from the evil one. Now they are in unity about the actual spiritual health of their church and have a plan that calls for prayer plus action. One person wrote, “Since completing the Setting Your Church Free seminar, we have a concrete understanding of our strengths and weaknesses, areas where God is blessing and areas where the enemy has strongholds. We now have the ability to pray and work specifically to be completely free.”
Recall that each of the seven letters of Revelation contains the exhortation “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22). Hearing with the intention of obeying is the proper idea of this passage. Little children often procrastinate or stall when their parents ask them to do something, to which the parent often responds, “Did you hear me?” The children have heard with their physical ears, but what the parent is really asking is “Are you going to obey me now?” Your heavenly Father is saying, “Did you hear Me? Are you willing to obey?” A strategy for putting the message of this book into action is the subject of our last chapter.
Notes
1. John Stott, Romans: God’s Good News for the World (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994), p. 187.
2. R. E. Nixon, “Matthew,” The New Bible Commentary: Revised (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1970), p. 837.
- Show quoted text -
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Prayer @ Strawberry Field
BOILER ROOM OF PRAYER LAUNCHED AT STRAWBERRY FIELD
Former Children's Home Now Part Of Worldwide Movement Of Prayer Among Youth
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND (ANS) -- John Lennon could never have "Imagined" what has happened to the Strawberry Field children's home in Liverpool, England, immortalized by The Beatles 40 years ago, since it officially closed its doors back in May 2005.
The famous red gates of Strawberry Fields.
Photo credit: www.24-7prayer.com
An enterprising venture in prayer among young people is revitalizing the site in Woolton, Liverpool, made famous when John Lennon wrote the song "Strawberry Fields Forever" after playing there as a child. Lennon spent much of his youth playing at Strawberry Field, which was close to his Aunt Mimi's Menlove Avenue.
An internet report at: www.24-7prayer.com says the famous red gates of Strawberry Field, The Liverpool children's home that became world famous after The Beatles 1967 hit song "Strawberry Fields Forever," has just re-opened its doors as 24-7 Prayer's Liverpool 'Boiler Room' -- a "hothouse of prayer" if you like -- operated in association with the Salvation Army.
The report states: "This legendary site, where John Lennon spent time as a child, has lent its name to businesses, literary publications, sporting events, and even a memorial in New York City's Central Park (near John Lennon's home of his later years)."
So what is the significance of this site becoming a 'Boiler Room' of prayer?
The website says: "Strawberry Fields was a place of joy and beauty for John Lennon during his childhood. Now, with excitement and expectation, we re-open the site as a place of joy and beauty for many of his fans as well.
"That Strawberry Fields is not being shut down for good is a victory in and of itself. The children's home was shutting because it is preferable that children be cared for by foster families or small group homes rather than in large institutions.
"But Strawberry Fields is not only a site with a rich heritage of mercy and social justice -- the site remains, to this very hour, a center of pilgrimage to Beatles and John Lennon fans worldwide."
24/7 Prayer's organizers say: "Our prayer is that some of these pilgrims may find One greater than Lennon at the gates of Strawberry Fields..."
Their website says it all began with a six-month-long prayer effort in the city. As Liverpool churches 'passed the prayer baton' to one another week after week, something amazing happened: Gary and Dawn Lacey, Salvation Army officers, were presented with an open-door opportunity to keep Strawberry Fields open as a 'Boiler Room' and a Salvation Army center for community action.
Now, as the six months of prayer draws to a close in November, organizers sense that the adventure has only just begun, and they feel the Spirit's invitation to chase after Him.
The website explains that 'Boiler Rooms' are Christ-focused community centers that 24-7 Prayer is establishing all over the world. Part of the dream behind the Liverpool Boiler Room, which is being run by the Salvation Army, is a longing to establish a place where anyone can come and find a 'home' with God.
The site says: "Jesus told us that his Father's house has many rooms, and that one is one being prepared for each of us. At the Liverpool Boiler Room, we foresee the youth, the homeless, the churched and un-churched, the loud and the quiet, the creative, the contemplative, the hyperactive, the sinners and the saved sinners alike gathering for prayer, community and outreach."
Strawberry Fields now houses eight prayer rooms of different shapes, sizes and themes -- including a Global room, a Liverpool room, and the 'Tabernacle.' There's also a chill out/drop in area, and studio art space.
"Walking in, you cannot fail to be hit by the presence of God and a huge sense of as yet unrealized potential, just waiting to explode," the site says.
PRAYER AT THE LIVERPOOL BOILER ROOM
Prayer at the Liverpool Boiler Room. Photo credit: www.24-7prayer.com
Gary and Dawn Lacey (projecti56@aol.com) are now running the Boiler Room. As things get moving at the Boiler Room, Liverpool's 24-7 community are gathering friends and dreamers around themselves in order to form a small Boiler Room team -- spreading the word through Liverpool's network of churches, and seeing the church mobilized to prayer like never before!
"Last week we gathered together as a team to prophetically pray over a diary of 2006, and to say that God turned up would be a massive under-statement," said Anna Beaumont. "In faith, we envisioned a year of prayer in Liverpool."
On Friday, December 9, local organizers are holding a 24-7 party at the Liverpool Boiler Room to celebrate the success of the previous six months, and to welcome the next chapter of this adventure: an entire year of non-stop prayer in the Liverpool/Merseyside area in 2006.
"THE VISION" BEHIND 24-7 PRAYER
According to its ministry website. the words of 'The Vision' were written late one night on the wall of the first ever 24-7 Prayer Room.
"It wasn't a big deal," says Pete Greig, "... just a very personal thing -- trying to work out the call on my life and why I was awake at 3a.m. praying when sane people are all tucked up in bed!"
"But somehow the words of The Vision escaped that Prayer Room! They must have been copied off the wall by someone and sent as an email to a friend."
Greig recalls: "I didn't realize any of this until someone in Canada emailed my own poem to me saying they had come across it and thought I might like it!"
Before long 'The Vision' was being printed in magazines, remixed by DJ's in New York and Sweden and even choreographed in Spain! At that stage no-one knew who'd written it or where it had come from, and originators wanted to keep it that way. (They only went public when "certain rather dodgy 'ministries' started implying it had come from them.").
In August 2001, 'The Vision' was published in a magazine called 'The Way' which circulates a staggering 100,000 underground churches in China. The very same week the words were quoted by thousands of American young people at an event called 'The Call' in Washington DC. In August, The Vision was also filmed in Central London (the TVisionMix).
Originators say: "We were amazed! Somehow the words scrawled on our Prayer Room wall had taken on a life of their own. The Vision had become a personal mission-statement for many -- a generational call to arms.
They add: "The Vision made us realize that God was doing something with our prayers, something immeasurably bigger than we could 'ask or hope or imagine.' Perhaps it's another indication that the Spirit really is moving across the nations, uniting the generation with one dream, one passion and one Commander in Chief."
WHAT IS "THE VISION"?
Here is The Vision in its entirety:
"The vision is JESUS -- obsessively, dangerously, undeniably Jesus.
The vision is an army of young people.
You see bones? I see an army. And they are FREE from materialism.
They laugh at 9-5 little prisons.
They could eat caviar on Monday and crusts on Tuesday.
They wouldn't even notice.
They know the meaning of the Matrix, the way the west was won.
They are mobile like the wind, they belong to the nations. They need no passport. People write their addresses in pencil and wonder at their strange existence.
They are free yet they are slaves of the hurting and dirty and dying.
What is the vision ?
The vision is holiness that hurts the eyes. It makes children laugh and adults angry. It gave up the game of minimum integrity long ago to reach for the stars. It scorns the good and strains for the best. It is dangerously pure.
Light flickers from every secret motive, every private conversation.
It loves people away from their suicide leaps, their Satan games.
This is an army that will lay down its life for the cause.
A million times a day its soldiers
choose to loose
that they might one day win
the great 'Well done' of faithful sons and daughters.
Such heroes are as radical on Monday morning as Sunday night. They don't need fame from names. Instead they grin quietly upwards and hear the crowds chanting again and again: "COME ON!"
And this is the sound of the underground
The whisper of history in the making
Foundations shaking
Revolutionaries dreaming once again
Mystery is scheming in whispers
Conspiracy is breathing…
This is the sound of the underground
And the army is discipl(in)ed.
Young people who beat their bodies into submission.
Every soldier would take a bullet for his comrade at arms.
The tattoo on their back boasts "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain."
Sacrifice fuels the fire of victory in their upward eyes. Winners. Martyrs. Who can stop them?
Can hormones hold them back?
Can failure succeed? Can fear scare them or death kill them?
And the generation prays
like a dying man
with groans beyond talking,
with warrior cries, sulphuric tears and
with great barrow loads of laughter!
Waiting. Watching: 24 – 7 – 365.
Whatever it takes they will give: Breaking the rules. Shaking mediocrity from its cozy little hide. Laying down their rights and their precious little wrongs, laughing at labels, fasting essentials. The advertisers cannot mould them. Hollywood cannot hold them. Peer-pressure is powerless to shake their resolve at late night parties before the cockerel cries.
They are incredibly cool, dangerously attractive inside.
On the outside? They hardly care. They wear clothes like costumes to communicate and celebrate but never to hide.
Would they surrender their image or their popularity?
They would lay down their very lives - swap seats with the man on death row -- guilty as hell. A throne for an electric chair.
With blood and sweat and many tears, with sleepless nights and fruitless days, they pray as if it all depends on God and live as if it all depends on them.
Their DNA chooses JESUS. (He breathes out, they breathe in.)
Their subconscious sings. They had a blood transfusion with Jesus.
Their words make demons scream in shopping centers.
Don't you hear them coming?
Herald the weirdo's! Summon the losers and the freaks. Here come the frightened and forgotten with fire in their eyes. They walk tall and trees applaud, skyscrapers bow, mountains are dwarfed by these children of another dimension. Their prayers summon the hounds of heaven and invoke the ancient dream of Eden.
And this vision will be. It will come to pass; it will come easily; it will come soon.
How do I know? Because this is the longing of creation itself, the groaning of the Spirit, the very dream of God. My tomorrow is his today. My distant hope is his 3D. And my feeble, whispered, faithless prayer invokes a thunderous, resounding, bone-shaking great 'Amen!' from countless angels, from heroes of the faith, from Christ himself. And he is the original dreamer, the ultimate winner.
Guaranteed."
THE PURPOSES, PRINCIPLES & PRACTICES OF A BOILER ROOM
The ministry website explains that a 24-7 Boiler Room, such as that wehich exists at Strawberry Field, "is a simple Christian community that practices a daily rhythm of prayer, study and celebration whilst caring actively for the poor and the lost."
The Two Purposes of a 24-7 Boiler Room (are that it) "exists to love God in prayer and to love its neighbors in practice. These purposes are contextualized in community and expressed in a defined location.
The Three Principles at the heart of every Boiler Room (are that it) "is a living community committed to being Authentic: True to Christ; Relational: Kind to People; Missional: Taking the Gospel to the World.
A boiler Room also has Six Practices: every Boiler Room Community applies the three principles practically through six core activities:
-- A Boiler Room is true to Christ by being: "A prayerful community practicing a daily rhythm of intercession, contemplation and Christian worship" and "A creative community where artistic expressions of prayer and worship may take the form of art, sculpture, new music, poetry, dance etc.
-- A Boiler Room is kind to people by being: "A merciful community where the practical needs of the local poor are met and where liberation is championed," and "A hospitable community where pilgrims are welcomed, meals are shared and where friendships can flourish across boundaries of race and culture."
-- A Boiler Room is committed to the sharing the gospel by being: "A missional community existing for the sake of those who don’t know Jesus both locally and cross-culturally. To act as well as to pray," and "A learning community of training and discipleship, where people are growing in their faith, their life-skills and their ability to lead."
HOW DID 24-7 PRAYER GET STARTED?
The ministry site says: "24-7 Prayer started by accident in September 1999, with a bunch of young people in England who got the crazy idea of trying to pray non-stop for a month. God turned up and they couldn't stop until Christmas!
"From there the prayer meeting has spread into many nations, denominations and age groups. Hundreds of non-stop prayer meetings now link up here on the web to form a unique chain of prayer."
24-7 has become a worldwide, non-stop prayer movement (see: www.24-7prayer.com/). According to organizers, there are 3 dimensions to the movement.
They say: "First of all we're a network of Prayer Rooms determined to pray like it all depends on us and live like it all depends on God until the tide turns in our generation. A Missions movement quickly arose out of the Prayer Rooms as we received requests to take teams to 'high places' in youth culture."
They also run Boiler Rooms -- houses of continual prayer (24-7-365) like Gen X monastries, and similar to the one now operating at Strawberry Field.
Participating groups pledge to pray 24 hours a day for a week or more in a dedicated prayer-room. They then 'carry the baton of prayer' for that period. The prayer passes from location to location in a neverending flow linked up by the Worldwide Web.
"We are a virtual community praying in real locations. Right now someone, somewhere is praying 24-7," organizers say.
"The dream behind 24-7 is to turn the tide of youth culture back to Jesus. It's a big dream -- maybe an impossible dream. We recognize that the Body of Christ in the West is bleeding young people. Something has to change. But clever strategy alone is not the answer. Never has been. History shows that the tide turns when God's people pray. That is why God is mobilizing prayer movements like 24-7 (and others).
"We're seeing thousands of young people from Alaska to Australia praying together for their friends and their heroes in a focused and persistent way. 24-7 targets youth culture at a local, national and international level; addressing demographies (like skaters and clubbers) as well as geographies (schools, communities, nations)."
Organizers say 24-7prayer is not for experts.
"It's for those who find prayer a struggle. 24-7 is a model that works! It has proven unusually successful at mobilizing people -- especially young people -- to pray like they've never prayed before. People learn to pray... by praying!
"24-7 captures the imagination. Young people today are more likely to turn up at a prayer meeting at 3 a.m. than at 7.30 p.m.! Why? Because it's extreme. The dare is to be alone with God for a whole hour -- maybe even in the middle of the night. 24-7 makes prayer easier. The arts play an important part. Many say that 'an hour feels like 10 minutes in the prayer room.' "
Organizers of the Liverpool Boiler Room have the following prayer requests:
-- For a team to be formed who can devote themselves to city transformation through the Boiler Room
-- For Gary and Dawn Lacey (projecti56@aol.com) to have wisdom and impact and they embark on this new phase of their life
-- That Beatles fans and other pilgrims would be impacted by the love of Jesus when they visit Strawberry Fields
-- That Strawberry Fields could be a place of intimacy and transformation to all who visit, especially people who don't know Jesus.
** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is the Chief Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Garden Grove, California. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen in September, 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station.
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
Send this story to a friend.
ASSIST News Service is brought to you in part by Gospel for Asia. GFA's vision is to train, equip and send 100,000 native missionaries into the most unreached areas of Asia. By God's grace, more than 14,500 native missionaries are now serving and planting six churches every day! You can help sponsor a native missionary for less than a dollar a day. To learn more about GFA and their work among the Dalits (Untouchables) of India please go to their website at www.gfa.org or in North America call 1-800-WIN-ASIA.
ASSIST News Service is brought to you free of charge and is supported by friends like yourself. If you would like to make a donation (tax-deductible in the US) to help us continue this service around the world, you can do so by logging onto our website -- www.assistnews.net -- and making the donation by credit card or by sending a check to ASSIST, PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA .
Former Children's Home Now Part Of Worldwide Movement Of Prayer Among Youth
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND (ANS) -- John Lennon could never have "Imagined" what has happened to the Strawberry Field children's home in Liverpool, England, immortalized by The Beatles 40 years ago, since it officially closed its doors back in May 2005.
The famous red gates of Strawberry Fields.
Photo credit: www.24-7prayer.com
An enterprising venture in prayer among young people is revitalizing the site in Woolton, Liverpool, made famous when John Lennon wrote the song "Strawberry Fields Forever" after playing there as a child. Lennon spent much of his youth playing at Strawberry Field, which was close to his Aunt Mimi's Menlove Avenue.
An internet report at: www.24-7prayer.com says the famous red gates of Strawberry Field, The Liverpool children's home that became world famous after The Beatles 1967 hit song "Strawberry Fields Forever," has just re-opened its doors as 24-7 Prayer's Liverpool 'Boiler Room' -- a "hothouse of prayer" if you like -- operated in association with the Salvation Army.
The report states: "This legendary site, where John Lennon spent time as a child, has lent its name to businesses, literary publications, sporting events, and even a memorial in New York City's Central Park (near John Lennon's home of his later years)."
So what is the significance of this site becoming a 'Boiler Room' of prayer?
The website says: "Strawberry Fields was a place of joy and beauty for John Lennon during his childhood. Now, with excitement and expectation, we re-open the site as a place of joy and beauty for many of his fans as well.
"That Strawberry Fields is not being shut down for good is a victory in and of itself. The children's home was shutting because it is preferable that children be cared for by foster families or small group homes rather than in large institutions.
"But Strawberry Fields is not only a site with a rich heritage of mercy and social justice -- the site remains, to this very hour, a center of pilgrimage to Beatles and John Lennon fans worldwide."
24/7 Prayer's organizers say: "Our prayer is that some of these pilgrims may find One greater than Lennon at the gates of Strawberry Fields..."
Their website says it all began with a six-month-long prayer effort in the city. As Liverpool churches 'passed the prayer baton' to one another week after week, something amazing happened: Gary and Dawn Lacey, Salvation Army officers, were presented with an open-door opportunity to keep Strawberry Fields open as a 'Boiler Room' and a Salvation Army center for community action.
Now, as the six months of prayer draws to a close in November, organizers sense that the adventure has only just begun, and they feel the Spirit's invitation to chase after Him.
The website explains that 'Boiler Rooms' are Christ-focused community centers that 24-7 Prayer is establishing all over the world. Part of the dream behind the Liverpool Boiler Room, which is being run by the Salvation Army, is a longing to establish a place where anyone can come and find a 'home' with God.
The site says: "Jesus told us that his Father's house has many rooms, and that one is one being prepared for each of us. At the Liverpool Boiler Room, we foresee the youth, the homeless, the churched and un-churched, the loud and the quiet, the creative, the contemplative, the hyperactive, the sinners and the saved sinners alike gathering for prayer, community and outreach."
Strawberry Fields now houses eight prayer rooms of different shapes, sizes and themes -- including a Global room, a Liverpool room, and the 'Tabernacle.' There's also a chill out/drop in area, and studio art space.
"Walking in, you cannot fail to be hit by the presence of God and a huge sense of as yet unrealized potential, just waiting to explode," the site says.
PRAYER AT THE LIVERPOOL BOILER ROOM
Prayer at the Liverpool Boiler Room. Photo credit: www.24-7prayer.com
Gary and Dawn Lacey (projecti56@aol.com) are now running the Boiler Room. As things get moving at the Boiler Room, Liverpool's 24-7 community are gathering friends and dreamers around themselves in order to form a small Boiler Room team -- spreading the word through Liverpool's network of churches, and seeing the church mobilized to prayer like never before!
"Last week we gathered together as a team to prophetically pray over a diary of 2006, and to say that God turned up would be a massive under-statement," said Anna Beaumont. "In faith, we envisioned a year of prayer in Liverpool."
On Friday, December 9, local organizers are holding a 24-7 party at the Liverpool Boiler Room to celebrate the success of the previous six months, and to welcome the next chapter of this adventure: an entire year of non-stop prayer in the Liverpool/Merseyside area in 2006.
"THE VISION" BEHIND 24-7 PRAYER
According to its ministry website. the words of 'The Vision' were written late one night on the wall of the first ever 24-7 Prayer Room.
"It wasn't a big deal," says Pete Greig, "... just a very personal thing -- trying to work out the call on my life and why I was awake at 3a.m. praying when sane people are all tucked up in bed!"
"But somehow the words of The Vision escaped that Prayer Room! They must have been copied off the wall by someone and sent as an email to a friend."
Greig recalls: "I didn't realize any of this until someone in Canada emailed my own poem to me saying they had come across it and thought I might like it!"
Before long 'The Vision' was being printed in magazines, remixed by DJ's in New York and Sweden and even choreographed in Spain! At that stage no-one knew who'd written it or where it had come from, and originators wanted to keep it that way. (They only went public when "certain rather dodgy 'ministries' started implying it had come from them.").
In August 2001, 'The Vision' was published in a magazine called 'The Way' which circulates a staggering 100,000 underground churches in China. The very same week the words were quoted by thousands of American young people at an event called 'The Call' in Washington DC. In August, The Vision was also filmed in Central London (the TVisionMix).
Originators say: "We were amazed! Somehow the words scrawled on our Prayer Room wall had taken on a life of their own. The Vision had become a personal mission-statement for many -- a generational call to arms.
They add: "The Vision made us realize that God was doing something with our prayers, something immeasurably bigger than we could 'ask or hope or imagine.' Perhaps it's another indication that the Spirit really is moving across the nations, uniting the generation with one dream, one passion and one Commander in Chief."
WHAT IS "THE VISION"?
Here is The Vision in its entirety:
"The vision is JESUS -- obsessively, dangerously, undeniably Jesus.
The vision is an army of young people.
You see bones? I see an army. And they are FREE from materialism.
They laugh at 9-5 little prisons.
They could eat caviar on Monday and crusts on Tuesday.
They wouldn't even notice.
They know the meaning of the Matrix, the way the west was won.
They are mobile like the wind, they belong to the nations. They need no passport. People write their addresses in pencil and wonder at their strange existence.
They are free yet they are slaves of the hurting and dirty and dying.
What is the vision ?
The vision is holiness that hurts the eyes. It makes children laugh and adults angry. It gave up the game of minimum integrity long ago to reach for the stars. It scorns the good and strains for the best. It is dangerously pure.
Light flickers from every secret motive, every private conversation.
It loves people away from their suicide leaps, their Satan games.
This is an army that will lay down its life for the cause.
A million times a day its soldiers
choose to loose
that they might one day win
the great 'Well done' of faithful sons and daughters.
Such heroes are as radical on Monday morning as Sunday night. They don't need fame from names. Instead they grin quietly upwards and hear the crowds chanting again and again: "COME ON!"
And this is the sound of the underground
The whisper of history in the making
Foundations shaking
Revolutionaries dreaming once again
Mystery is scheming in whispers
Conspiracy is breathing…
This is the sound of the underground
And the army is discipl(in)ed.
Young people who beat their bodies into submission.
Every soldier would take a bullet for his comrade at arms.
The tattoo on their back boasts "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain."
Sacrifice fuels the fire of victory in their upward eyes. Winners. Martyrs. Who can stop them?
Can hormones hold them back?
Can failure succeed? Can fear scare them or death kill them?
And the generation prays
like a dying man
with groans beyond talking,
with warrior cries, sulphuric tears and
with great barrow loads of laughter!
Waiting. Watching: 24 – 7 – 365.
Whatever it takes they will give: Breaking the rules. Shaking mediocrity from its cozy little hide. Laying down their rights and their precious little wrongs, laughing at labels, fasting essentials. The advertisers cannot mould them. Hollywood cannot hold them. Peer-pressure is powerless to shake their resolve at late night parties before the cockerel cries.
They are incredibly cool, dangerously attractive inside.
On the outside? They hardly care. They wear clothes like costumes to communicate and celebrate but never to hide.
Would they surrender their image or their popularity?
They would lay down their very lives - swap seats with the man on death row -- guilty as hell. A throne for an electric chair.
With blood and sweat and many tears, with sleepless nights and fruitless days, they pray as if it all depends on God and live as if it all depends on them.
Their DNA chooses JESUS. (He breathes out, they breathe in.)
Their subconscious sings. They had a blood transfusion with Jesus.
Their words make demons scream in shopping centers.
Don't you hear them coming?
Herald the weirdo's! Summon the losers and the freaks. Here come the frightened and forgotten with fire in their eyes. They walk tall and trees applaud, skyscrapers bow, mountains are dwarfed by these children of another dimension. Their prayers summon the hounds of heaven and invoke the ancient dream of Eden.
And this vision will be. It will come to pass; it will come easily; it will come soon.
How do I know? Because this is the longing of creation itself, the groaning of the Spirit, the very dream of God. My tomorrow is his today. My distant hope is his 3D. And my feeble, whispered, faithless prayer invokes a thunderous, resounding, bone-shaking great 'Amen!' from countless angels, from heroes of the faith, from Christ himself. And he is the original dreamer, the ultimate winner.
Guaranteed."
THE PURPOSES, PRINCIPLES & PRACTICES OF A BOILER ROOM
The ministry website explains that a 24-7 Boiler Room, such as that wehich exists at Strawberry Field, "is a simple Christian community that practices a daily rhythm of prayer, study and celebration whilst caring actively for the poor and the lost."
The Two Purposes of a 24-7 Boiler Room (are that it) "exists to love God in prayer and to love its neighbors in practice. These purposes are contextualized in community and expressed in a defined location.
The Three Principles at the heart of every Boiler Room (are that it) "is a living community committed to being Authentic: True to Christ; Relational: Kind to People; Missional: Taking the Gospel to the World.
A boiler Room also has Six Practices: every Boiler Room Community applies the three principles practically through six core activities:
-- A Boiler Room is true to Christ by being: "A prayerful community practicing a daily rhythm of intercession, contemplation and Christian worship" and "A creative community where artistic expressions of prayer and worship may take the form of art, sculpture, new music, poetry, dance etc.
-- A Boiler Room is kind to people by being: "A merciful community where the practical needs of the local poor are met and where liberation is championed," and "A hospitable community where pilgrims are welcomed, meals are shared and where friendships can flourish across boundaries of race and culture."
-- A Boiler Room is committed to the sharing the gospel by being: "A missional community existing for the sake of those who don’t know Jesus both locally and cross-culturally. To act as well as to pray," and "A learning community of training and discipleship, where people are growing in their faith, their life-skills and their ability to lead."
HOW DID 24-7 PRAYER GET STARTED?
The ministry site says: "24-7 Prayer started by accident in September 1999, with a bunch of young people in England who got the crazy idea of trying to pray non-stop for a month. God turned up and they couldn't stop until Christmas!
"From there the prayer meeting has spread into many nations, denominations and age groups. Hundreds of non-stop prayer meetings now link up here on the web to form a unique chain of prayer."
24-7 has become a worldwide, non-stop prayer movement (see: www.24-7prayer.com/). According to organizers, there are 3 dimensions to the movement.
They say: "First of all we're a network of Prayer Rooms determined to pray like it all depends on us and live like it all depends on God until the tide turns in our generation. A Missions movement quickly arose out of the Prayer Rooms as we received requests to take teams to 'high places' in youth culture."
They also run Boiler Rooms -- houses of continual prayer (24-7-365) like Gen X monastries, and similar to the one now operating at Strawberry Field.
Participating groups pledge to pray 24 hours a day for a week or more in a dedicated prayer-room. They then 'carry the baton of prayer' for that period. The prayer passes from location to location in a neverending flow linked up by the Worldwide Web.
"We are a virtual community praying in real locations. Right now someone, somewhere is praying 24-7," organizers say.
"The dream behind 24-7 is to turn the tide of youth culture back to Jesus. It's a big dream -- maybe an impossible dream. We recognize that the Body of Christ in the West is bleeding young people. Something has to change. But clever strategy alone is not the answer. Never has been. History shows that the tide turns when God's people pray. That is why God is mobilizing prayer movements like 24-7 (and others).
"We're seeing thousands of young people from Alaska to Australia praying together for their friends and their heroes in a focused and persistent way. 24-7 targets youth culture at a local, national and international level; addressing demographies (like skaters and clubbers) as well as geographies (schools, communities, nations)."
Organizers say 24-7prayer is not for experts.
"It's for those who find prayer a struggle. 24-7 is a model that works! It has proven unusually successful at mobilizing people -- especially young people -- to pray like they've never prayed before. People learn to pray... by praying!
"24-7 captures the imagination. Young people today are more likely to turn up at a prayer meeting at 3 a.m. than at 7.30 p.m.! Why? Because it's extreme. The dare is to be alone with God for a whole hour -- maybe even in the middle of the night. 24-7 makes prayer easier. The arts play an important part. Many say that 'an hour feels like 10 minutes in the prayer room.' "
Organizers of the Liverpool Boiler Room have the following prayer requests:
-- For a team to be formed who can devote themselves to city transformation through the Boiler Room
-- For Gary and Dawn Lacey (projecti56@aol.com) to have wisdom and impact and they embark on this new phase of their life
-- That Beatles fans and other pilgrims would be impacted by the love of Jesus when they visit Strawberry Fields
-- That Strawberry Fields could be a place of intimacy and transformation to all who visit, especially people who don't know Jesus.
** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is the Chief Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Garden Grove, California. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen in September, 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station.
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
Send this story to a friend.
ASSIST News Service is brought to you in part by Gospel for Asia. GFA's vision is to train, equip and send 100,000 native missionaries into the most unreached areas of Asia. By God's grace, more than 14,500 native missionaries are now serving and planting six churches every day! You can help sponsor a native missionary for less than a dollar a day. To learn more about GFA and their work among the Dalits (Untouchables) of India please go to their website at www.gfa.org or in North America call 1-800-WIN-ASIA.
ASSIST News Service is brought to you free of charge and is supported by friends like yourself. If you would like to make a donation (tax-deductible in the US) to help us continue this service around the world, you can do so by logging onto our website -- www.assistnews.net -- and making the donation by credit card or by sending a check to ASSIST, PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA .
Monday, November 07, 2005
International Solemn Assembly in L.A. Surpasses Expectations
>From: http://www.spiritualrenewal.net
International Solemn Assembly in L.A. Surpasses Expectations
LOS ANGELES, Calif.--Hundreds of believers
gathered at the historic Angelus Temple in Los
Angeles, California, from Tuesday through
Thursday, for the International Solemn Assembly,
50 continuous hours of fasting and prayer in
preparation for the upcoming Azusa Street
Centennial, set for April 25-29, 2006. Believers
at the opening service heard the call of God
through the prophet Joel, "Sanctify ye a fast,
call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all
the inhabitants of the land into the house of the
Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord."
Several churches and denominations in the Los
Angeles area participated in the event, leading
in prayers of repentance, reconciliation and
rejoicing. The leadership team for the
International Solemn Assembly also represented a
cross section of denominations and ministries. It
was composed of Mark Williams, state
administrative bishop for the Church of God in
California/Nevada, Fred Berry, Azusa Centennial
Prayer Coordinator and Bud Melton, associate
pastor for ministry development at the Los Angels-
based Dream Center.
Beginning on Tuesday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m., the
final two hours of the ISA closed with a dynamic
Dream Center service and message by Pastor Tommy
Barnett. Pastor Barnett challenged everyone with
a historical journey of the revival being
experienced around the world 100 years ago. He
challenged the over 1000 people in attendance
with the following statement: "Revival is a
direct result of the volume of prayer." At the
conclusion of the message Angelus Temple turned
into an altar with crescendoing cries for
revival, mercy and deliverance in our generation.
Pastor Matthew Barnett concluded the 50 hours of
prayer and fasting at the International Solemn
Assembly by declaring that the Angelus Temple
would remain open at least 24 more hours for
intercessory prayer. He stated: "This solemn
assembly has exceeded our expectations. The
entire Dream Center ministry has been blessed to
participate in this event." As of 6 a.m. Friday
PST, dozens of people continued to fill Angelus
Temple with intercession for revival.
"The International Solemn Assembly has been
successful in continuing to prepare the spiritual
soil of Los Angeles for the upcoming celebration
of the Azusa Street Centennial," stated Azusa
Centennial Operations Officer Billy Wilson. "In
many ways, God is already working to bring great
revival in Los Angeles."
The International Solemn Assembly at Angelus
Temple was conceived by Dr. Robert Fisher, who
passed away on September 28, 2005, days before
the event. At the time of his death, Fisher was
executive officer of both the Azusa Street
Centennial and director of the Center for
Spiritual Renewal.
"Even though Dr. Fisher went home to be with the
Lord last week and saw this Solemn Assembly from
the other side," Wilson stated, "his vision for
spiritual renewal, integrity and unity lives on.
What a fitting tribute the success of this
gathering has been to this visionary leader."
International Solemn Assembly in L.A. Surpasses Expectations
LOS ANGELES, Calif.--Hundreds of believers
gathered at the historic Angelus Temple in Los
Angeles, California, from Tuesday through
Thursday, for the International Solemn Assembly,
50 continuous hours of fasting and prayer in
preparation for the upcoming Azusa Street
Centennial, set for April 25-29, 2006. Believers
at the opening service heard the call of God
through the prophet Joel, "Sanctify ye a fast,
call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all
the inhabitants of the land into the house of the
Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord."
Several churches and denominations in the Los
Angeles area participated in the event, leading
in prayers of repentance, reconciliation and
rejoicing. The leadership team for the
International Solemn Assembly also represented a
cross section of denominations and ministries. It
was composed of Mark Williams, state
administrative bishop for the Church of God in
California/Nevada, Fred Berry, Azusa Centennial
Prayer Coordinator and Bud Melton, associate
pastor for ministry development at the Los Angels-
based Dream Center.
Beginning on Tuesday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m., the
final two hours of the ISA closed with a dynamic
Dream Center service and message by Pastor Tommy
Barnett. Pastor Barnett challenged everyone with
a historical journey of the revival being
experienced around the world 100 years ago. He
challenged the over 1000 people in attendance
with the following statement: "Revival is a
direct result of the volume of prayer." At the
conclusion of the message Angelus Temple turned
into an altar with crescendoing cries for
revival, mercy and deliverance in our generation.
Pastor Matthew Barnett concluded the 50 hours of
prayer and fasting at the International Solemn
Assembly by declaring that the Angelus Temple
would remain open at least 24 more hours for
intercessory prayer. He stated: "This solemn
assembly has exceeded our expectations. The
entire Dream Center ministry has been blessed to
participate in this event." As of 6 a.m. Friday
PST, dozens of people continued to fill Angelus
Temple with intercession for revival.
"The International Solemn Assembly has been
successful in continuing to prepare the spiritual
soil of Los Angeles for the upcoming celebration
of the Azusa Street Centennial," stated Azusa
Centennial Operations Officer Billy Wilson. "In
many ways, God is already working to bring great
revival in Los Angeles."
The International Solemn Assembly at Angelus
Temple was conceived by Dr. Robert Fisher, who
passed away on September 28, 2005, days before
the event. At the time of his death, Fisher was
executive officer of both the Azusa Street
Centennial and director of the Center for
Spiritual Renewal.
"Even though Dr. Fisher went home to be with the
Lord last week and saw this Solemn Assembly from
the other side," Wilson stated, "his vision for
spiritual renewal, integrity and unity lives on.
What a fitting tribute the success of this
gathering has been to this visionary leader."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
