Marc's Messages 3.0

Prophets and power structures

Today Margreet Bouw of the house of prayer in Utrecht and I taught at Time to Turn's Prophets Training in Nieuwegein. Time To Turn is a youth organisation for social justice, fair trade and ecologic sustainability. It was interesting to see that in this group the areas of social action (horizonal prophetic dimension) and hearing/seeing from God (vertical prophetic dimension) hadn't really touched yet. So I guess it was good that we could challenge them to act out of revelation (hearing/seeing from God) instead of just a good idea, and combine the creativity in which they already excell with sensitivity for God's timing, connections and focused prayer. Especially when confronting power structures (be it religious, social or politcal) it's important to realize that it's demonic (not just human) power that upholds injustice. Anyway, illustrated with movie clips from The Matrix, Monty Python and Luther I gave eight characteristics of a prophetic calling:

1. Prophets focus on destiny in Christ and issues of the heart.
2. Prophets are door-openers.
3. Prophets are sensitive to God's Spirit and timing.
4. Prophets are called to not just 'give words', but live a prophetic lifestyle.
5. Prophets always face head-on opposition from religious spirits of control, manipulation, human religiosity and political correctness; it's important that they stay free from 'fear of man'.
6. Prophets expect God to break in, and think and act out of the box.
7. Prophets function as God's GPS system, they move intuitively and know the times.
8. Prophets are called to tear out and to plant (Jer. 1); deconstruction of human or demonic strongholds and construction based on God's design go hand in hand.

Going takes away our fear

Brother Andrew is a Dutch pioneer evangelist (and I'd say also a prophet) who boldly goes to places where most people wouldn't be eager to go. In an interview with Christianity Today he challenges Christians to pray for bin Laden. "That question shocks a lot of us. Of course we haven't prayed for him! That is why he is what he is. We have an evangelical black list of people we don't want to see in heaven and put bin Laden on top. Saddam Hussein is probably second. In my 50 years of ministry, my biggest meetings have been always in the Muslim world. Why are we so timid? Why are we so afraid? They barely let me speak at my own evangelical church in Holland! I'm being sarcastic, but it is the truth. I find it easier to get speaking engagements with the Taliban than with my own evangelical church."

Addressing Western militaristic policy: "We in the West are following or believing in the God of revenge as much as every Muslim does. We have to come down to the foot of the Cross and learn from Jesus. He came to forgive, and he came to die. I have seen this attitude in many Christians in Gaza. It gives me hope for the future. We should be flocking to Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and seek the Christians and help them. And then, please, for God's sake, listen to what they say. They have something to say. This should be the driving force in our lives. It's not solving political or economic problems. It's being Christian."

The Muslim world is not closed, but needs to be challenged on the right issues: "You can still go to any place in the Muslim world and preach Christ. Any place. I want to challenge the whole world with that statement. And if that is true, then why are we resorting to other weapons that, according to the Bible, are not weapons of our warfare? When are we going to be people of the Book? They claim to be people of the book. I challenge them at the Hamas university on dialogue - and I hate the word dialogue - I'm a proclaimer, a Calvinist at heart. I believe that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. I told them openly, 'I'm not interested in dialogue with you guys. But I'm always willing any place, any time, with any group of you, to have a dialogue on this one question: What kind of person does the book produce - your book, my Book?' You come back to Jesus' words: You must be born again. And they appreciate that. Because I want to challenge them on that issue."

We need to move from a defensive to an offensive approach: "I'm an evangelist. I'm a missionary. If I'm saying things that are politically not correct, I know the Lord will forgive me. We have a message that God changes people. Going takes away our fear. We are fearful because we stay home and prepare for the worst to come, because we think that's what they are planning. That may be true, but it's because of our inactivity. The moment we take the offensive and plan to go there, we lose our fear. That's very Scriptural. I'm not a bit afraid of them. I feel completely at home."

Other Dutch prophetic voices on Islam

Talking about boldness in the face of Islam: CBN News just published this interview with former Dutch MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali. She is not a Christian, and would probably not side with Brother Andrew, but she certainly is a prophetic voice. Hirsi Ali points out that in its roots Islam is a violent and militant religion that's oppressing women and denying free speech. Therefore it's incompatible with democracy. She calls on governments in the West to take a much stonger stand against the intimidating forces of militant Islam. "Freedom is worth dying and fighting for." Hirsi Ali now lives in America, but already another young prophet stood up to take her place in the Dutch polder: Ehsan Jami, a 22-year old Iranian refugee and Social Democrat who calls for nothing less than a revolution in Islam. Daily newspaper Trouw published a quite interesting interview with him.

Life outside the church box

The Lord of the Church seems to be leading more and more of His followers out of the church box. As my friend Andreas describes in his post 'A prophet's dilemma', this transition phase from Church As We Know It to Church As God Wants It (Simson terminology) can be challenging. Steve Hill describes the same dillema in his latest newsletter from a more apostolic point of view. He states that our church system has become an idol and is turning more and more young people in East Europe away from Christ. Often we preach a gospel of the church instead of a gospel of the Kingdom that is truly good news to the poor. Pete Greig also gives words to this in 'The Vision', a moving prayer that speaks to the heart of a whole generation. C'mon!

Three revelation milestones

Where is the organic-reformational movement, or in my geeky friend Andreas' words 'church 2.0', heading? On his weblog he draws together three 'revelation milestones': Wolfgang Simson's (to be released) 'Apostolic Architecture', Alan Hirsch's 'The Forgotten Ways' and Simon Mason's 'The Net'. Having interacted with all three guys over a beer, I agree with Andi that these macro, meso and micro approaches make a revolutionary mix of the Kingdom.

Why I aim for a reformation

Over the past few weeks I've been interacting with a number of friends and fellow pioneers in the Netherlands about this question: should we take the structural reality of church as it is for granted and (within or out of that context) aim for maximum renewal and innovative missional experiments, or should we aim for a reformation that will shake the foundations of today's church, and re-defines and re-imagines church based on a deeper revelation of Christ and how He intended his Body to function?

Let me start to point out that I believe we need both, and both are valid aims to pursue. I believe it's unfruitful to polarize these two approaches. Innovators and reformers should stand side-by-side when it comes to pulling the church out of her comatic state of unfruitfulness. However, I decided (already a number of years ago) to bless the various expressions of much needed renewal, but aim for a deeper reformation of church. Yesterday, when sharing a meal with Matthijs and Martijn, I drew a picture to visualize the process we are in (click to enlarge).

Over the past few years we've seen quite a number of 'fresh expressions' emerge, that we label 'emerging church', 'missional projects', 'house church' or whatever name we prefer. Partly this was a reaction to traditionalism in the existing church, partly it was a genuine desire for the church to regain a missionary focus, partly it was a realisation that society is changing and therefore the church needs to change. All good and necessary. However, I believe that what we see so far is only the beginnings (the first 20 percent if you like) of a deeper reformation God wants to bring to the church.

Some people get nervous with that idea, because it means that some of the holy cows mentioned in my earlier post may have to die. Others, who are by nature more practically oriented (e.g. planting churches in real-life) look at reformation as highly idealistic, not really reachable, so why bother aiming at it, let's rather start where the opportunities are. As a practically oriented person I understand that hands-on approach, but as a prophet I'm also quite aware that God has a higher standard of maturity and fullness for the church than what the church (even the emerging church) functions in today.

Because of this higher standard I simply cannot aim lower. God wants us to come up to His level of seeing, understanding and acting, instead of expecting Him to descend to our level of 'doing church'. This is where I differ from my emerging comrades - I aim for a reformation (which is basically bridging the gap between where the church is now, and where God wants the church to be), while at the same time working in real-life with real people, real problems and - let's not forget that - a real God. It's quite well possible to be principled in what you aim for (and not lower that standard) and pragmatic in how to go about it (which should not be interpreted as combining the new with the old). Of course it's a tension, but it's a healthy tension, a tension we need to keep us holy dissatisfied, so that we continue to seek God for an Acts-type movement in our time.

Now practically, it looks like two initiatives are developing in the Netherlands. My friend Matthijs is forming a network for emerging/missional church planters, and I'm starting a webzine for reformation and innovation that pushes for 'more than meets the eye'. Also a relational 'Shift Network' is forming that connects the emerging reformers.

Holy cows in the polder

Today I had a conversation with Jefferie Lammers, who publishes a prophetic e-zine in Dutch called 'David's Tabernacle'. Realizing that Jesus is calling his people out of religion to really be his Body (his acting side) on this earth, we agreed that what is crucial in this time of change or transition is prophetic discernment, and the willingness to kill our holy cows.

Most churches and ministries would (by default) say they're 'building on the foundation Jesus', but is that really so? Could it be that we are building on a domesticated version of Jesus, a theologically narrow and safe interpretation of who He really is, a kind of 'Jesus-in-a-(church)box'? Could it be that we are partly building on human control and Mammon, or another form of false allegiance? And how about the various less-than-optimal (or even counterfeit) expressions of 'prophetic' and 'apostolic' ministry we see today?

I have a simple (some might say 'simplistic') insight: if it is true that Jesus called us (the Church) to proclaim and manifest the Kingdom of God in the earth, so that the gates of hell cannot prevail, then from a strategic point of view it is likely that satan assigned his strongest demons (those of religion, money, control, deception, etc.) to the church. All these demonic spirits have to do is what they also do in other religions - inspire human beings to create and maintain religious (church) systems and mindsets that breed unhealthy codependence, keep people occupied with all kinds of side-matters, and therefore render them relatively unfruitful and harmless. Therefore, any true reformation inevitably has to address things that are foundationally wrong in the way the church operates.

On Koole's Queeste I'm involved in an evaluation of the 'youth church phenomenon'. Youth churches are trendy versions of church-as-we-know-it, or more precise: church-services-as-we-know-them. They hyped quickly, and now are in decline. Some young people claimed youth church was the way forward for their generation, and although it was at least one or two steps forward, I would say it was a compromise right from the start. In order not to create too much of a stir, and out of an inherited incapacity to think out of the churchy box, they went for the wide and predictable road of upgraded celebrations. I call that a holy cow. Young people have permission to be creative, as long as they don't touch the play we've been performing since the time of Constantine. Real grassroots Jesus movements cannot be contained in church boxes, so why not start outside straight away?

It's not appreciated to say these things in public. It sounds so negative. Lots of good intentions, time and money was invested, so therefore it must be evaluated positively. But the emperor is naked, or at least looks funny, and a kid can see. When we visited a church service sometime ago (yes, it was a baptist church, but it could have been any other label), our youngest Peter (5) whispered: "Mum, when is this play over?"

It links in to the results of a 'city reaching' research among pastors that Joel News published five years ago. The conclusion was: "Yes, we want revival and see our communities transformed, but don't touch our churches!" As long as we see the church as 'our church' (which we shape the way we want) instead of 'Jesus' church', revival will only come to Utopia.

Looking around in the Dutch polder landscape, I see thousands of holy cows, providing daily milk for spiritual infants that could have been mature, multiplying adults/families in Christ. If we want to eat 'solid meat', as Paul suggests, we might first have to kill our holy cows. How about throwing a BBQ?

Being in Trondheim

As I write this, I'm overlooking Heimdal, a suburb of Trondheim. We're staying with Terje and Lise Dahle in their typically Norwegian wooden house. Terje leads the new board of DAWN in Norway and oversees the Norwegian churches of Kristent Nettverk, an apostolic network that originated in Bergen. Trondheim is quite similar to Utrecht: it's the birthplace of Christianity in the nation, has a cathedral right in the centre, and a rather large student population. If you're interested to update your knowledge of Trondheim, then check out this short introduction movie.

It has been a few years since the parachute dream. The good thing is that God has been speaking to more people about Trondheim. In fact, two Connect friends - Gabi and Heidi - had another prophetic story to add to the mix. When in November last year I met Terje at a DAWN Scandinavia meeting in Copenhagen, he said: "If God is speaking about my city, then you should come over and share." Which is the reason why I'm here. The Dahle's are very hospitable, in fact they're spoiling us with wonderful Norwegian food like salmon, caramel cheese and jarred berries.

On Sunday we met with a group of 25-30 students that form a simple church network in the city, and I shared about 'seeing prophetically and acting apostolically'. On Monday we visited Trondheim, to see some of the historic city. Yesterday we drove up to Levanger for a meeting with Arne of the Nordic Prayer Center. He's one of those rare prayer guys that thinks prayer-community-missions-justice and he has a great sense of humor as well. They pray for the nordic region of Europe, but also for Trondheim, and several other key areas. The sky was clear - it's freezing minus 12 - so it was a beautiful trip along the coastline.

In the evening we met Havard and Katherina, a young couple that serves the network here, and we joined a house church in one of the student homes. Today I had lunch with the core group of the pastors' network, and tonight we'll have another house church meeting. Looks busy, but we also have some time to relax.

Now what is God up to in Trondheim? He has been speaking from Is. 43:16-21 and Job 14:7-9. The first Scripture speaks about not dwelling on military force and on the past, but looking at the new things God is doing. The second is about an old tree dying in the ground, and the promise that fresh new shoots will come up. On the road to Levanger I (prophetically) saw a military helmet that was turned upside down, and a new plant was growing in it. Realising that the Gospel was brought to Norway with the sword by the not-so-saintly Olav, and that the Lutheran state church - even though the life is dying out - is still dominantly present, I believe these Scriptures speak about a new movement that God wants to start in Trondheim that will be reformational in nature.

A key issue is that of allegiance. I encouraged the pastors and students to submit to the kingship/headship of Christ (not just in theory, but in reality), and in that to each other. Politics - power play and compromise - have corrupted the church in Trondheim more or less from the start. They say every innovation here is being battled. But this new move of God can't be controlled by little kings. There's only one way to move with Him, and that is to die to self and man-made structures we even dare to call 'church'. Only then a godly movement can break forth. May Springtime come to Trondheim. Can't wait to see the flowers.

Going to Trondheim

One aspect of God's Kingdom is unpredictability. Not knowing where you end up when you travel with Jesus. Let me share a crazy story with you...

I was on an evening flight from Bergen to Oslo (two cities in Norway). Because it was Winter time, it was dark outside. Now and then you could see a little light far away on the ground. The flight goes smoothly, until halfway suddenly a flash of revelation hits me, that soon turns into a conviction: I'm not supposed to go to Oslo, but to Trondheim, a city 500 kilometers up north! I immediately realise that God is speaking to me, and that He might have some sort of assignment for me in Trondheim. I make up my mind to check possible add-on flights from Oslo to Trondheim, as soon as I touch down.

It's strange, but the conviction that I need to go to Trondheim doesn't leave me - it gets stronger and stronger. At some point my heart beats like crazy in my chest, and I can no longer suppress the inner *knowing-without-doubt* that I'm supposed to go to Trondheim NOW.

I know this is a stupid idea. Nevertheless I muster all boldness I can find and signal the stewardess. "Sorry to bother you, but I need to go to Trondheim!" "Then you're on the wrong flight, Sir. We're going to Oslo. But when we land in Oslo, you might be able to find a flight to Trondheim." Yes, that's common sense, isn't it - except when God is speaking, and you know He's leaving no room for postponement. So I say: "Listen, this is not just some joke. It's a God thing! God himself is telling me to go to Trondheim NOW. Don't you understand?" She looks at me like I'm some nutcake from a different planet. This is getting pretty embarrassing. But I'm so heavily (and heavenly) convicted that I don't really care, and won't let go. Like a pitbull I'm talking in to her, until she decides to get the captain to settle this 'problem'.

When the captain arrives, I tell him the same story. He looks penetratingly at me and says: "Sir, what do you think? This is a regular flight from Bergen to Oslo! I'm sorry you got on the wrong plane, but you'll have to wait until we get in Oslo to transfer to a flight to Trondheim." I reply, feeling quite ridiculous by now: "I understand your position, but try to see the bigger perspective: God - you know, THE God who created heaven and earth, including you and me - tells me to go to Trondheim NOW! I cannot postpone it, I have to go there NOW. He wants to move in that city!" With everything in me I press the captain to forget about Oslo and fly to Trondheim instead. At some point he gets so tired of me, that he breaks off the interaction and goes back to his cockpit.

It doesn't take long before I notice the plane is slowly taking a turn to the left, and changing course. After 40 minutes or so the stewardess comes up to me and says: "Sir, could you follow me, please?" I follow her to the back side of the airplane. There she suddenly opens a door in the floor, hands me a parachute and says: "Sir, here is Trondheim!" I look into the deep black hole below, and suddenly I question my previously unshakable conviction. I look at her with an expression that says: "I'm not quite sure anymore whether I really should go to Trondheim..." But I don't think too long, take the parachute, fasten it tightly, and jump...

And then I woke up.
And I knew God was speaking to me.

"You may think your life is like a regular airline going from A to B, but do I have permission to interrupt your life and change course? Are you willing to be led by my Spirit, also when the assignment is humanly speaking ridiculous? Are you willing to get out of your comfort-zone in order see to my Kingdom come to unexpected places?"

I believe we're entering a season where words of God can no longer be put on the shelf or pondered on for ages. When He is speaking to us, there are times that we *know* we have to obey immediately, no matter what other people may think. It may be a man from Macedonia calling us over. Or it may the Spirit telling us: "No, you should not take this job." Fast obedience may cost something, but we will also see more of God. And I rather have the adventure of jumping out of an airplane (although I'm scared to jump off from anything higher than myself), then have a predictable life on a regular flight from A to B. How about you?

Today my Finnish friend Jussi mailed me some thoughts that are more or less in the same line.

A new season of blogging

Welcome to Marc's Messages version 3.0! I'm ready for a new season of blogging. The frequency of this blog will likely be a bit lower than version 2.0, around three times a week. But let's see, when I get in the flow of blogging again, I might accellerate slightly.

What's new? First of all the banner image, adapted from Sigur Ros' clip 'Glosoli', which for me is a prophetic picture of God's Spirit calling and connecting the emerging generation, leading them on a journey out of their safety-zone, into the unknown. The reformational faith dimension of the Kingdom for which we really have to rely on Him. As Winkie Pratney says, "The Kingdom of God is only bordered by unpredictability." God wants us to use our imagination, creativity, faith and pioneering spirit. His Kingdom is not for the faint-hearted!

I also used the opportunity to simplify the typelists in the margins of my blog. I personally dislike long small-font lists with blogsites and other 'service information' cramped into the margins, forcing you to scroll down with your eyes hitting the screen. So I decided to create a special bookmark page with all the links that I use on a more or less daily basis, and that I also use as my start-up page. It holds all my blogging friends, as well as most low-budget airlines in Europe. Like this blog it's designed with SNAP preview windows for external links.

Finally I also included an experimental del.icio.us 'link dump' and a better visibility of comments. Hope you enjoy this blog for a new season; look forward to hear from you!