a church of a thousand prophets
Just thought I'd share something I'm going to share this weekend. We continue our Journey series. We've talked about two dimensions of discipleship: seeking and learning. This weekend I'm talking about influencing.
I've got something in my spirit that I can't get out. Instead of a church of a thousand people...imagine a church of a thousand prophets.
I'm not talking about everyone running around predicting the future. I mean it in the sense of I Corinthians 14--everyone comforting, strengthening, and encouraging! But doing so with supernatural insight and foresight.
Most of us don't think of ourselves as prophets. Hi, my name is Mark. I'm a prophet.
But I wonder if we need to reconsider in light of Numbers 11:29:
I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets.
Jewish philosophers did not believe the prophetic gift was reserved for a select few individuals. They believed that becoming prophetic was the crowning point of mental and spiritual development. The more you grow the more prophetic you become.
I really feel like God has called NCC to turn DC upside-down. But it'll never happen if we're just a church of a thousand people. But if we're a church of a thousand prophets it's another story!
Imagine the impact if every NCCer understood their prophetic calling. Imagine the impact if every NCCer saw themselves as a prophet in their workplace and a prophet at home.
A church of a thousand prophets.
I've got something in my spirit that I can't get out. Instead of a church of a thousand people...imagine a church of a thousand prophets.
I'm not talking about everyone running around predicting the future. I mean it in the sense of I Corinthians 14--everyone comforting, strengthening, and encouraging! But doing so with supernatural insight and foresight.
Most of us don't think of ourselves as prophets. Hi, my name is Mark. I'm a prophet.
But I wonder if we need to reconsider in light of Numbers 11:29:
I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets.
Jewish philosophers did not believe the prophetic gift was reserved for a select few individuals. They believed that becoming prophetic was the crowning point of mental and spiritual development. The more you grow the more prophetic you become.
I really feel like God has called NCC to turn DC upside-down. But it'll never happen if we're just a church of a thousand people. But if we're a church of a thousand prophets it's another story!
Imagine the impact if every NCCer understood their prophetic calling. Imagine the impact if every NCCer saw themselves as a prophet in their workplace and a prophet at home.
A church of a thousand prophets.
9 Comments:
Morningstar Ministries in Fort Mill, SC has been training people to move prophetically for several years now and with much success. 1 Corintians 14.5, Paul says "that you all may prophesy". I believe that the Lord wants took give us prophetic words that would edify, exhort and comfort...plus it's an awesome tool for evangelism! Mark, since you blessed me with a freecopy of your book, I'm going to send a copy of Steve Thompson's (one of the pastors @ Morningstar)book "That You All May Prophesy"
Be Blessed...Tim
Pastor Mark, I couldn't agree more with what you have been feeling in your spirit. I genuinely believe that as we begin moving prophetically this year God could totally turn this city upside down. My biggest prayer for NCC this year is for revelation, both of God's will and people's need.
Hi Mark.
I have been following your blog for some time. I appreciate what you are posting and I have been personally challenged and inspired. I strongly agree with your last post. I believe that many people, are perishing, not because of a hunger famine, but an encouragement famine. I am looking to get a copy of your book and I am actually coming to DC in the next couple of weeks. I am scouting a trip to bring young adults. We will arrive in the summer and set a prayer agenda for the city. Anyway...as I said I am going to get a copy of your book. I read a sample chapter last night from chasethelion.com. Great Stuff. Keep up the good work and I'll come by Ebeneezer's when I am in town in a couple of weeks.
God Bless.
Lance
Amen. I was just noticing in Acts how many times and how many people came to believe not only because they heard the Gospel but because they saw a demonstration of God's power. All those thousands of people who became believers either saw personally or heard stories of miracles that had happened. A church full of prophets...that would really stir things up, in a very good way.
I totally agree. I think a church's influence can be boiled down to what kind of people they are creating. So many churches feel successful if they are able to grow a larger audience...that if they have more people, they have more influence. However, i agree in believing that it is not an audience that we are seeking to create, but a group(however large) of equipped ministers. It continues to amaze me that people don't feel like being a prophet, or disciple applies to them; that they just want to be Christians. I would submit, however, that to be a Christian should imply a desire to be a prophet. What is to be said about people who acknowledge with their lips but not their lives? Thanks for the thoughts Mark.
You said perfectly. What you just described is the church being the church! Hey are you guys doing BUZZ this year? I pastor a theater-church & want to come...
A church of a thousand prophets...has a really good ring to it.
What if it happened? I love it! Next, figure out a way to create steps that lead to that. What a good objective.
mark
Oh man I'm longing for this in Glasgow too... how amazing, how much more impact and influence could we have?!
Ryan,
Buzz is June 28-29. Check it out at www.buzzconference.com.
Mark
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