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A. There is current accelerated interest in the area of spiritual
experience and encounter in both the world and in the church.
B. There is rapid growth in the New Age, Psychic, Occult, and Satanic communities.
C. Media especially is expanding in it's visibility of the supernatural – most of it is not sourced
in the truth.
D. The United Nations stated at the turn of the millennium that “the greatest commodity in this
century will be the spirituality of man.” This makes this a dangerous century IF the church does not take its rightful place
in leading this spiritual revolution.
E. For the most part, the majority of the western church is somewhat frightened of the spiritual and
unseen Kingdom realm.
F. For the most part, the majority of the western church is uncomfortable with spiritual language
and spiritual terminology.
G. For the most part, the majority of the western church believes that if the unsaved spiritual
community (i.e. New Age, Occult practitioners, etc) is involved with a specific spiritual experience then it is not to be
embraced in the Christian community. For example, some of the New Age community engages in transport in the spirit.
This type of experience is found in many places in the Bible (see # B-12-k above). The difference between the two is “source.”
Many Christians disqualify any act and even terminology that is used in the New Age/Occult irregardless of the source of the act
or term. For example, the rainbow is a New Age symbol as is the butterfly. The rainbow is also a symbol that is growing in use in
the homosexual community. The rainbow, however, is not sourced in the New Age or in the Homosexual community. It is created by God.
The term in not exclusive to the New Age. God gave the term. There are Christians who refuse to talk about, paint, or use the
symbol of the rainbow due to the fact that the New Age and the homosexual community use it. So it is with many experiences and terms.
H. For the most part, there is a lack of discernment in the western church concerning spiritual matters.
Many western Christians: engage in New Age medical practices; watch movies sourced in ungodly production and use it to bring forth
prophetic words from the Lord to His Body; do not discern witchcraft or satanic plants in their midst; believe that books such as
Harry Potter are designed by God to inspire the church and the younger generation; embrace music that is inspired by a worldly spirit,
bringing it into the church; and are confused about issues of sexuality, abortion, etc.
I. Many in the western church hold to a form of godliness and deny the power.
J. Many ministers and itinerant ministers in the western church are out of touch with the momentum of
false-sourced spirituality that is growing in the world. Most of their time is spent in the church, with the church, and in
church life and programs. They are not aware that many people on the streets and in the work place would never enter the door
of a church. As a result, much of their perspective comes from what they have learned in the past, what they have learned is
acceptable doctrine and language within the circles they minister in, and what their boards or denominational peers say is
acceptable. A greater perspective and frame of reference is needed.
K. For the most part, the younger generation are not filling or joining the church. Most of the church
is filled with the 40 and over generation. We have found, however, that the younger generation is very hungry for the real, authentic,
power and presence of God. The younger generation, do seem to be drawn to churches where there is the evidence of true Kingdom
spirituality, demonstrations of Kingdom power and experiences in the glory of God.
L. Many Christian leaders are not open to “searching the scriptures to see if these things be so.”
They are often more inclined to “search the scriptures to see if these things be not so.” As a result, fresh revelation in the
scriptures is potentially shut down and at times even opposed. This type of response is common throughout church history, but is
dangerous in this hour. (See article written by John Wesley in conflict folder on web site).
M. There appears to be a lack of holy, mature, and healthy processing between the prophetic, pastoral,
apostolic and the theological.
N. Some Christian leaders do not believe or support the fact that the believers walk is by faith in
response to the covenant promises of God. Therefore, they believe in order for life in the Kingdom to be valid, it must be
delivered to the believer in a certain way – usually by a sovereign, supernatural visitation. It is also believed by some that
“spiritual encounters” are only for the elite (such as specially chosen 5-fold ministry gifts) or the very mature (both
spiritually and physically). As a result there is a lack of acknowledgment of the invitation the Holy Spirit is giving to His
entire Body to enter into unseen Kingdom encounters by faith.
O. There appears to be a lack of mature leaders who move in the supernatural who are able to “pastor”
those who are hungry to move in the spirit. As a result, in some situations, immature believers who could possibly be walking
in a soulish orientation rather than a true spiritual encounter are causing concern to church leaders and congregations.
In other cases, the spiritual activities of those experiencing new things in God might be legitimate but due to the lack of pastoral
or leadership understanding, the believers are being disciplined unnecessarily.
P. In some environments and ministries where the supernatural is taught, there is a lack of instruction
and focus on the development of godly character. This is dangerous and needs to be addressed. The Lord is raising up a holy church
that is completely separated unto Him. “That no flesh should glory in His presence.” (1 Corinthians 1:29)
Q. In some environments and ministries where the supernatural is taught, there is a lack of teaching on
the centrality of the message of the cross in the believer's life and the exaltation of Jesus above experience. Even though the
Lord is inviting His church to experience and heavenly focus, it can never replace personal relationship, intimacy,
and worship of Jesus.
R. In some environments and ministries where the supernatural is taught, there is a lack of teaching
on the plumb line of the Scriptures. The scriptures must validate experience. In these environments there is a danger of
compromise and mixture.
S. In some lives and ministries where supernatural encounters are experienced there is a lack of
true accountability to leadership and apostolic peers as well as disciplinary processes. This puts individuals and ministries
in a vulnerable and dangerous position. |
