RESOURCE ~ New Article Attempts to Define Transformation

International Fellowship of Transformation Partners
George Otis, Jr.

Definition & Values

Background Thoughts
Transformation is one of the hottest topics in Christendom, but the word does not have a commonly accepted definition. This has led many to adopt an “anything goes” approach that has diluted the term of its inherent power and meaning. All too often definitions are derived from our inventory of available resources rather than the revelation of Scripture.

In Matthew chapter six Jesus declared to his disciples, “This is how you should pray:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.”

With these brief words we are reminded that God’s presence and purposes are to be the central focus of human society. They are to be realized and promoted not in some limited, religious manner, but as they are in heaven. In the words of the prophet Isaiah we are to “give [ourselves] no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem (or Chicago, London or Singapore) and makes her the praise of the earth” (Isaiah 62:6-7). We are to “renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations” (Isaiah 61:4). If we do this, Ezekiel promises, “the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE” (Ezekiel 48:35).

While many Christians assume transforming revival is about growing congregations, it is actually a matter of renaming or re-identifying our cities.

Since we lack both the right and the capacity to define transformation, our only sensible course is to “consider what God has done…” (Ecclesiastes 7:13). Apart from observing the Father at work we have no way to discover truly reliable principles for success.

Because transforming revival is a principle-based enterprise we can anticipate what God will respond to—namely humility, holiness, repentance, prayer, worship, compassion, faith (II Chronicles 7:14, Isaiah 58:9-12, Isaiah 62:6-7, Hosea 6:3). This allows us to prepare the way of the Lord with confidence: “If my people will…” then “I will heal their land.” There is no presumption here, only obedience. He has removed all mystery from the discussion. We can also safely predict what the fruit of transformation will look like—because, again, God’s Word describes it for us (Psalm 144:14, Isaiah 1:26, Acts 11:20-24, Acts 19:18-20) and because we have seen it in microcosm in the lives of redeemed individuals. What we cannot be certain of are the means by which God will accomplish his purposes. These are as unique as snowflakes, fingerprints, and… cities.

If revival were, as some claim, the product of arbitrary dictate, faith would not even enter the equation. We could only hope that God might one day include our community on his revival itinerary. There would be no principles to apply, no guidelines to follow, no promises to expect, and no certainty of success.

But if we cannot please God in the absence of faith (Hebrews 11:6), neither is faith to be used as an instrument of manipulation. We do not summon God’s presence in order to repair our broken communities, we summon him because we cannot bear to live another day apart from his touch. We seek a lover, not a handyman. If we will make his kingdom purposes our priority (Matthew 6:33), he will come. And when he comes, he will arrive with healing in his wings (Malachi 4:2).

Working Definition
For the term transformation to be properly applied to a community, change must be evident not only in the lives of its inhabitants, but also in the fabric of its institutions. In the end, it is dramatic social, political, and even ecological renewal that sets these cases apart from common experience.

In short, a transformed community is…
...A neighborhood, city or nation whose values and institutions have been overrun by the grace and presence of God
...A place where divine fire has not merely been summoned, it has fallen
...A society in which natural evolutionary change has been disrupted by invasive supernatural power
...A culture that has been impacted comprehensively and undeniably by the Kingdom of God
...A location where kingdom values are celebrated publicly and passed on to future generations

Community transformation is indicated when:
...Political leaders publicly acknowledge their sin and dependence on God
I Kings 11:17-18; 23:2; Jonah 3:6-9)
...New laws, curricula, and business practices are put into effect
(II Chronicles 19:4-10; Nehemiah 10:31)
...The natural environment is restored to its original life-nurturing state
(Leviticus 26:4-5; II Chronicles 7:14; Ezekiel 34:27; 36:29-30)
...Economic conditions improve and lead to a discernable lessening of poverty
(II Chronicles 17:3-5; Psalm 144:14; Isaiah 60:5; Amos 9:13)
...There is a marked change in social entertainment and vices as Kingdom values are integrated into the rhythm of daily life
(Ezra 10:1-4; Nehemiah 8:10, 16; Ecclesiastes 10:17; Acts 19:17-20)
...Crime and corruption diminish throughout the community
(II Kings 12;13-15; Nehemiah 5:6-12; Isaiah 60:17-18)
...Volunteerism increases as Christians recognize their responsibility to heal and undergird the community
(Isaiah 58:10-12; 61:1-4)
...Restored hope and joy leads to a decline in divorce, bankruptcy and suicide
(Nehemiah 12:27-28, 43; Isaiah 54:11-14; 61:3,7; Jeremiah 30:17-19; 31:11-13; Hosea 2:15)
...The spiritual nature of the growing socio-political renewal becomes a hot topic in the secular media
(II Chronicles 20:29; Nehemiah 6:16; Isaiah 55:5; Ezekiel 36:36; Acts 19:17)
...Overwhelmed by the goodness of God, grateful Christians take the embers of revival into surrounding communities and nations
(II Chronicles 17:9; Isaiah 61:6; Acts 11:20-26)

This is a matter of faith, not triumphalism. There is, and will likely continue to be, gross spiritual darkness in the world. Our goal is not to make a new heaven and a new earth, but rather to create salty spots on the earth that stimulate a thirst for God. Like many salty appetizers, these temporal transformations point the way to a larger, more satisfying meal to come.

Shared Values & Beliefs
The following declarations define the IFTP’s common bonds and commitments.
>Presence Priority. We believe that God’s presence is essential to transforma-tional success and must always take precedence over our programs.
>Obedience. We are committed to abandoning our own ideas and agendas in order that we might walk out God’s will and purposes in our corporate mission.
>Prayer. We believe that communion with the Lord of Hosts is the only way to nurture spiritual intimacy and avoid the pitfalls of pride and presumption.
>Relationally Focused. We are bound by long-term, committed friendships rather than short-term project assignments.
>Humility & Servanthood. We seek to advance our common cause by preferring and serving one another in love according to Philippians 2:1-11.
>Accountability. We covet the strength that comes as we walk together and sharpen one another through times of challenge.
>Direct Participation. We are not theorists, but practitioners who mentor and guide communities to and through the transformational process.
>Inclusiveness. We celebrate unity with diversity and look to empower, encourage and equip all who desire to bring transformation to the world.
>Collaboration. We believe that any attempt to control or compete with others is incompatible with God’s desire that his body be “jointly fitted together” for kingdom purposes. We celebrate the autonomy of each member, but we also recognize that autonomy must be linked to interdependence (as opposed to independence).
>Sensitivity. We are committed to a cultivating an ever-deepening awareness of the feelings held by our Lord, our colleagues, and those we look to serve.
>Hiddenness. We seek to avoid the limelight in those situations where adopting a high profile risks casting a shadow over the work and person of Christ.
>Godly Character. We esteem honesty, integrity and a commitment to holiness that begins in a personal transformation.
>Innovation & Creativity. We reject stale, lazy and traditional thinking as unrepresentative of a dynamic God.
Flexibility. We believe a malleable heart and perspective is key to remaining relevant in a changing world.