THE GREATEST NEED

What would you say is the greatest need in the church today?

More relevant music?
More highly trained pastors?
More committed people?
Better bible teaching?
More money?
More tradition?
More ritual?
More young people?
More house groups?
More lay people in ministry?
More friendly churches?
More people to control things?
Not so many Pharisees?
People who really care?

I guess the list could go on as we all have our own ideas what is important to the church.

I would like to suggest that the greatest need in the church today is a prophetic spirit led people who can seize the day and not rely on their own efforts. A people that will first ask the Holy Spirit what his plans are for the church that day, that week, that month, that year. Once they know, then they carry out God’s plan as instructed by him regardless of the cost.

How many times in the New Testament Church do we read that the Holy Spirit gave them specific instructions about the next step as in sending people to particular places the end result being the founding of another church or to pray for the sick for a miracle to be performed.

When was the last time your church did anything out of the ordinary because that is what the Holy Spirit said to do? Come on, be honest. Some of you will have to answer, never!!

The New Testament Church was full of powerful prophetic preaching and the supernatural. Most of the time today all we get are little homilies from someone who does not have much idea about the will of God for the Kingdom of God because they are not submitted to the power of God or the Kingdom of God. They would prefer to rely on their own ideas as interpreted by tradition and the denomination. Original thinking is frowned upon because it might suggest a rebellious spirit.

A survey in the USA revealed that the average pastor spent five minutes a day praying. With that sort of commitment, who needs God? Contrast that with John and Carol Arnott of Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship who prior to the visitation of God on their fellowship spent every morning waiting on God. With such an “I will not go unless you bless me” attitude, God had to show up and show up he did.

In 12 months time, most churches will still be doing then what they are doing now for the simple reason they would rather trust their own devices than seek God for his. Please don’t blame him for your lack of effectiveness if that is the case and please note…a growth rate of 1% is not effectiveness.