Blessings. Trying to catch up after being gone a week. The Dean Gotcher article is truly amazing. I'll share a vision I received regarding the "institutional church".
I was standing at the beginning of a road that continued on to the far horizon. Immediately on my left was a church. Next to this church was another then another, all identical and as they stretched along this road to the far horizon, they became smaller and smaller. All at once, with incredible force, all the doors of the churches opened simultaneously. Millions of people ran, as if for their lives, out into the road and beyond. There was a sense that they couldn't stand it anymore and they were seeking only Jesus.
I could only pray, Lord, bring your people out into the streets. Isn't the mission of the church to train the saints for the work of the ministry?
I've also seen the true church (the believers)ministering in the streets of America to the lost and confused in the midst of destruction. I sense in my spirit that the function of the churches who follow the Holy Spirit in these days will be to turn their fellowship halls into places of refuge for the displaced, hungry and homeless.
www.preparetoleave.com
Thanks for the shared vision.
Agree.
Have been FORCED by THE LORD to be churchless several times in my life.
The typical church is a basket case if one compares the reality with God's Scriptural priorities.
Have long threatened to write an article about WHY EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS DON'T BELIEVE THE BIBLE.
I John is a favorite of mine. Church likes to talk and preach it but not walk it.
When we are forced into the streets, concentration camps, refuges--perhaps the world will begin to see THE REAL CHURCH much better.
I could only pray, Lord, bring your people out into the streets. Isn't the mission of the church to train the saints for the work of the ministry?
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I can see this happening very easily.