When one looks today at the Church of Jesus Christ and examines its life and structure what you observe actually has little resemblance to the early Church in the book of Acts. I believe today's Church falls far short of what is set out for us in the New Testament as normative to the Church of Jesus Christ. I believe it does not express the heart of God nor His original intentions.
 
So I would like to set out some of the differences that, in my mind, become obvious when you lovingly look at the Church as it is today and as it should be. And, I do so as someone who has been preaching for 41 years and who has pastored for 37 of those years. I also do so as someone who now ministers full-time trans-locally as an apostle to the local church. The Church has been central to my life and ministry for many decades and so, as one who loves the Church, I want to speak into the life of this precious group of believers worldwide. This is the first in a summer series of articles you won't want to miss.
 
1> We have a church that is organizational and structured where the Lord wants an organism that has life.

 

Don't get me wrong. Even an organism needs some structure. But, only structure that encourages and maintains life. When a child is conceived in the mother's womb there is no visible structure. Just life. Then as this life grows structure appears - hands, feet, legs, a head. The structure that appears is the structure that is needed to maintain and encourage life. Its purpose is to release life and enable the body to grow. When a structure that once was vital to this life flow no longer enables life then it is removed as it is no longer necessary. In fact, it is dangerous to the very life it once encouraged and supported. The umbilical cord is a great example of this fact.  It has fed this life for 9 months-but now it is no longer needed and is, in fact, now hazardous to life itself. 

Today there is often organization and structure that hinders and does not encourage the flow of life - God's life and the life and health of the body or local church. It may once have been beneficial but it no longer is. This organizational structure needs to be removed so that true life may spring forth and the organism known as the Church can once again become healthy. And, remember, a healthy body is capable of reproducing itself.  
 

 

2> This often leads to a lack of accountability for the words spoken. This is not just a local church problem as many regional and national prophetic voices apparently are never held accountable for words they have given that did not come to pass during the time spoken of. Often there are known accountability structures in place but those issuing the words do not heed any concerns expressed by them. And, as a result, no public apology is ever issued when a prophecy from a local, national orinternational prophetic voice gives a word that does not come to pass. 

 

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