An Outside Voice

Why do most attempts at genuine Transformation in the church fail? Lack of effort - No. Lack of desire - No. Lack of energy expended - No. Lack of authenticity - No.

They fail because the message is not delivered by an Outside Voice. In the OT this individual wore the mantle of Prophet. He came from a perspective that was not beholden to the system. He spoke for God and was undeterred by the usual arguments designed to preserve 'status quo'. He was in the system but in a very real way not 'of the system'. He was truly an Outside Voice. His message was exactly what was needed even though it was clearly not popular and most assuredly not well received (Acts 7:51-52).

He was God's spokesman. His message was from God. This is confirmed in the NT - -

And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2Peter 1:19-21).

There are no Prophets today who are the equivalent of the OT Prophet. Having offered that caveat, let me provide some observations concerning the message of the OT Prophet and the message necessary to bring genuine Reformation to the church in America today.

The Prophet's message was supported in every facet by the Word of the LORD.
The Prophet's message was primarily Theological not Methodological.
The Prophet did not attend an episodic event, a conference at which he received a notebook.
The Prophet did not call for a 'vote of confidence' to 'approve' his message.
The Prophet was spiritually and emotionally immersed in the lives of those to whom he spoke. They were his people and he loved them as did the LORD for whom he spoke. His message was not just a 'process to be checked off'. It was not the most recent popular fad to sweep across Israel. It was the very substance of God's prescription for blessing His people. Jeremiah said the message was a virtual 'fire in his bones' (Jer. 20:9).
The Prophet spoke with persistence and weeping that covered decades. There are no quick fixes.

Pastor, lay leader, does your church need that "Outside Voice?" Are you being that man like the prophet of old? Do you need help? IgniteUS is here to help you.

Leadership and Reformation

History is punctuated with incidents of dark days, tough times and uncompromising courageous leaders. We will briefly examine several of them. Their courage and effectiveness will establish two principles; (1) God always has a remnant faithful to Him, and, (2) God always accomplishes His purposes through leaders who live and serve to honor Him. Do you meet this profile? Are you a leader who is capable of bringing Reformation?

Gideon faced his struggle in dark times with 32,000 men. Too many God said. 22,000 departed, 10,000 remained. Too many God said. Take them down to the water. 300 lapped like a dog. Now I will deliver Israel (Judges 7).

Hezekiah faced the incessant taunts and bellicose threats of Sennacherib. He was given the option of making a bargain. He chose rather to pray and trust His God (2 Kings 19:15). 185,000 Assyrian soldiers "woke up dead" (2 Kings 19:35)!

Asa served when Israel had been a long time without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law (2 Chron. 15:3). He heard the voice of the prophet and 'took courage'. He removed the detestable idols and God gave them rest on every side (2 Chron. 15:15).

"When principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then battle is your calling, and peace has become sin; you must, at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith" (Abraham Kuyper, Dutch Theologian and Prime Minister, 1837 - 1920).

Does the church in America need Reformation? 2% are growing numerically by conversion growth. 14% are growing numerically by transfer growth ( sheep (sic) swapping). That means that 84 % are ????? Further, how many churches/ministries even make any attempt to measure Transformation (Rom. 12:2)? This is the principle focus of ministry = make disciples fully formed in the image of Christ!

What qualities are required to lead in this fashion? I will mention three that are essential.

Courage - the capacity to trust God unconditionally and serve with Kingdom priorities.
Compassion - truly love God's people as He does and lead as He would. Lead not lord.
Perseverance - stay on course regardless of the odds (Gideon), the threats (Hezekiah) or the apparent impossibility of the task (Asa).

Pastor, do you see the urgent need for reformation? What would you share with your fellow servants as we fight the good fight?