The Church has been part of my life for the majority of my life.
As far back as I can remember, it began with going to a little country Presbyterian Church with my Mum or Gran until I went to High School.
My teenage rebel and wannabe rockstar years took me away, but only for a 6-7 year window.
Since 1991 I have been, attending, serving in and even for a long time, pastoring local Churches.
I guess that gives me some experience?
One of my most popular blogs I have ever written is an analogy about attending a wedding and comparing that with our attitudes towards the Church.
I still believe in it, warts and all.
And I am honestly a little nervous making comment about something Christ died for and that He appears to use to bring his individual people together, that He says He is coming back for.
And yet something else is also undeniable for me…
That sometimes as humans leading and being part of something divine/eternal, that mistakes can be made. To refuse to notice is naivety at best. Ignorance is not reality. That’s my opinion.
That next level to this to share is that most of my Church experience related to what people label the Pentecostal Church. When I was a kid they were referred to as “happy hand clappers”, to reference their worship expression being different from my more conservative and restrained expression growing up.
After giving my life to Christ in August 1991, the first Church I attended was this flavour.
While I wanted to be there, it was an initial shock and I wondered even if I had walked into a cult?
I changed my mind on that and got progressively more connected to the point I was serving as best I could in that faith family.
As of today I am nearly 6 years removed from leading a Pentecostal Church.
That has been a painful season and also cathartic.
It has given me time to have another perspective.
To reflect on what it was like.
On what I think was good practice.
What I consider maybe not so good.
In all that I have never stopped seeking God, studying His Word, looking at the state of the world and how the Church operates within.
Which leads us to today…
And when I say today, I am talking about this time in history.
My current conviction is that we should be getting ready for The Charismatic Reformation.
Not because charismatic or pentecostal Church is evil, but because as humans we have made mistakes.
My belief is the Bride, the Church is always important to God!
It appears He gives us some wiggle room to make mistakes, but as we can see studying history, He never leaves it that way. When The Church is getting things wrong, a time appears on His calendar when God flicks the switch and change occurs.
Think about what we regularly refer to as The Reformation.
Reflect on that moment when a famous Thesis was nailed to a Church Door.
Even reflect on the day of Pentecost.
God does something dramatic to arrest a trajectory, because you and His Church are important.
Don’t be shocked at what you may have noticed occurring around the western charismatic Church.
Honestly this has been brewing for years and I for one, while not liking the pain it has brought, am super grateful that the error is being exposed.
Some ministries that are being exposed have had questions around them, sometimes for decades.
Others I had contact with as a young leader and knew something wasn’t right, but had no avenue or authority to address it, are also having light shone on them.
That is why I believe we are entering The Charismatic Reformation.
I still believe in the full counsel of the Scripture.
I still believe in the gift of the Holy Spirit and “gifts” that come as part of that promise being fulfilled.
And I believe accountability and correction for where the humanness has encroached too far is being divinely addressed.
I believe we ultimately follow Christ, not man.
The tension is that Godly leaders as supposed to be in front of us, pointing us that way.
“I follow Paul and I follow Apollos” sentiment (1 Corinthians 3:4) has always arisen in the Church and it takes intention to weed that wrong thinking out.
I believe the Charismatic Industrial Complex is about to fall or at least shift.
Where fakery is exposed and true Holy Spirit ministry is promoted.
Where Kingdom Culture is not a means to financial gain for some, but blessing for all.
Where narcissistic weirdos are exposed for who they are and God’s people can experience freedom in Christ again.
Where the integrity of The Church is brought further back to where it should be.
Where the Church and not a brand or a “movement” takes precedence.
Where “Grass is Greener” promotion to draw a crowd from one Church to another is finally exposed and please excuse my crude analogy, has the green grass mowed.
Where kingdom building (man made ego projects) is replaced by the Kingdom advancing.
Can I encourage you not to be despondent?
God is still in control and He disciplines those He loves, that is you and His Church.
Pray. Watch. Don ’t over react to the news around you.
If you are being defensive, ask Him why?
Seek Him.
Keep your heart open and soft along with a steadfast foundation in His Word.
It is still His Church, His Bride…
And He wants it back.
Something to think about…
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