September 14, 2008
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Transition to Congruence Times and Seasons - I had the opportunity to attend a conference last week (the Kingdom Economic Summit) and I heard some new ways of articulating this pioneering phase of market place ministry we're currently in. It was encouraging and enlightening. Hearts are longing for purpose - Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life was prophetic in the sense that it captures a move in the heart's of God's people right now. Believers are hungry to be "congruent" with their gifts, calling and destiny. We are longing to connect with God's plan for the Kingdom and make a difference in our world. Sitting in a pew doesn't do it for Kings. Where's the local church? - Pastors and local churches are also in a huge transition. The concept of church growth (as opposed to Kingdom growth) has caused the church to become an introverted, preachy, self-perpetuating organization to the point of cultural irrelevance in the US. In the past we joined a the church and signed up for the vision of the house defined by the senior pastor. Ministry was a job that helped the church to run smoothly. Saving souls was the goal, evangelism would grow the church, and revival would reach the world and result in more churches. It's not happening and our approach is failing for basic theological reasons. We were planning to save some souls and go to heaven. We preached a gospel of salvation instead of the gospel of the Kingdom. We forgot about the Kingdom! We abandoned our nation instead of redeeming it. Our job is to disciple nations - that's the gospel of the Kingdom.
What's Next? - We're not giving up on the local church (although certain aspects of our prior philosophy simply have to die). We need to see the church in the context of the Kingdom. Our goal is to establish His Kingdom on earth; the church is not the end or the goal; she is simply the equipping organ that prepares the saints to take the Kingdom. She should be exporting believers that do exploits in society. Instead of criticizing and abandoning society (Hollywood, the news media, academia, politics, and business) we should be infiltrating them with God's power and anointing. We're called to conquer! We are here to plunder the strong man's house and take back the leadership of these same "mountains" that are currently led by people serving the wrong kingdom.
What's it look like? - The best recent example of a saint infiltrating an enemy stronghold is Sarah Palin. Regardless of your political views (Republican or Democrat), we all have seen a spirit-filled women upset a national apple cart. She used anointing to touch a nerve in both the politics and the media. It will be a huge firestorm before it's over because she is not submitted to the current strongholds over the media and politics. A modern Deborah was quietly equipped in a local church and is now competing for leadership in a couple of mountains that are currently held by the enemy. Sarah could have said no to the opportunity. She could have made the same excuses Moses did. But she said "yes we can" and took the leap just like Joshua and Caleb did. God is calling you and I to do the same. Instead of wearing our faith like a bumper sticker, preaching and whining from the sidelines, we are called to get in the fray; to use our anointing to offer better solutions, new ideas, superior creativity, and courageous leadership. We're called to be the head and not the tail. Our destiny is to be at the top of the mountains defining the philosophy that leads every area of society. Here's the real secret that Sarah has helped us to see. When you allow God to promote you, you are really taking Jesus with you and exalting Him. God get's glory from his Deborah's, David's, Joseph's, and Daniel's. The nations rally to their anointing, the Kingdom of God is expanded, and the Lord Jesus is glorified.
God's plan depends on you becoming "congruent" with your heart's desire and your Kingdom calling. It's an exciting adventure. Your life has more drama than the script of any movie and you are destined to be the hero. Say "Yes Lord!" PS: See two past newsletters for more on "kingdom" When will They Kingdom Come and Kings and the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Love,
John & Sue (are dancing - Join us) Harold is dancing too ... with Linda You're invited into the vision to release Kings; communicate the message, make the money, and do the mission.
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