PRAYER AND BROKENNESS

What is the key to experiencing revival? What is the key to finding your mission? What is the key to avoiding burnout? What is the key to extravagant worship? What is the key to effective evangelism? What is the key to changing this church to be all that God intends us to be?

Prayer. and brokenness.

I think it is time to regroup and to re-invent what this church is all about. Paul says that every man's work will be tested by fire--every man's work. That includes ours. How is ours being tested? By apathy, discontent, confusion, weariness and lack of direction. We are all tempted to bail at such times. This is a testing by fire.

I am convinced that we have done some things wisely and well, and that we have not done others so well. We are relational, flexible, open and many other good things. But we are proud, self-congratulating, full of excuses, selfish and tired. Moreover, I am arrogant in my unteachable visionary-ness. And in an effort to keep everyone together who names the name of Christ, we have opened the door so far that some who do not consider Christ to be divine have influenced us. Love and unity are essential, but so is correct doctrine, and Jesus is where we must draw the line.

What is the answer? Fasting and prayer. Focused, extended worship. Bathing every gathering in prayer. Bathing the neighborhood in prayer. Should we make our building a place where round-the-clock prayer takes place? That was an early vision. No matter what, it is time to get on our knees and become desperate for God.

"LORD, if You do not go with us, we will not leave this place. Take us with You, and we in turn will take You with us. In the name of Jesus. Amen."