Hi all,
I had been the Director of a Bible school that was part of a big church, at the time over 10,000 members. Because of my position over those 6 years on staff I was able to meet or interact with some of the ‘big names’ in Charismatic ministry in the US.
Additionally, some of my students graduated and began working for some of those ministries. Often they would have a crisis of faith because of the contradiction between the life and lifestyle of the ‘big name’ head of the ministry and the realities of working for them.
I saw the professional side of Christianity, and it wasn’t always pretty. I resigned, and was invited by another ministry to help form an organization for certificate giving Bible schools that did not want to become colleges offering college degrees.
In that capacity and other titles and responsibilities I traveled the US and Canada visiting churches and Bible schools, acting as an advisor. The organization we founded for Bible schools also enabled me to get to know leaders of churches and Bible schools from several nations.
I found no matter where I traveled, no matter what nation they were in, they asked the same 3 questions: How do I grow my church or school? How do I pay for my church or school? How do I keep people from leaving my church or school?
By early 2001 I decided there had to be a better way. I started wondering how Paul did church, and why what I saw in scripture seemed so different from how we did church. Where was God moving next? Would that hold the answers I was looking for?
On February 4, 2001 I found myself about to minister in a church in the Toronto area. During the worship with my eyes wide open, the Lord was suddenly standing among the worship team looking directly at me. He was less than 10′ or 3 meters away. I could see Him and the natural world in one of those moments like Elisha and his servant who saw the natural army and the angelic army at the same time. (II Kings 6: 15-17)
When your spiritual eyes are opened to His realm all else fades away. Without any other greeting He just started:
“Do not look at the TV and larger media ministries to try to understand what I am doing in my body today. They have a part to play, but they are the visible-to-the-eye veneer of my body that people see. Those that are carnal and immature see the outward appearance and are impressed, thinking these are the height of ministry and where the Spirit is concentrating today. But they are mistaken.”
“See what I see, many small churches and ministries investing in relationships, walking in love, pouring their lives into each other, this is where the Spirit is moving today. There is a revolution taking place in my body, a revolution of relationships and discipleship and love. This will affect whole communities and economies.”
“See what I see, many churches all over the world in which people are accountable to one another, working through conflicts, walking in love and growing as my disciples. This is where the Spirit is moving today.”
“See what I see. Many (people) running to and fro to this meeting and that, seeking the spectacular thinking that is supernatural. They are asking, ‘Where is the next move, what is the next season of the Spirit?’, and I say to you it is under their very noses. For the process of discipleship IS supernatural. They stumble at the supernatural work in their midst, even in their own hearts, and refuse to humble themselves and be taught, because they seek the sensational and that which appeals to the outward man. They fail to recognize the true move of God because it must be spiritually discerned.”
He continued: “…you will see this revolution continue to grow and even be recognized by many, but not as a fad or a ‘flashy’ move of the Spirit. The discerning will perceive in their spirits that this is an abiding move; As it has been from the beginning so it must be now, I’m moving in relationships.”
“This will be a time of separation within my body. This is the most important point I’m sharing with you today; the true disciples are losing their taste for the shallow and the carnal, and separating themselves from those caught up in the appearance of spirituality. These are my army, the ones no one knows, these are the ones I am raising up, not to be known of man, but to be known of God.”
“You are part of this move. This move is not a move of the masses, but of the individual. Make disciples, teach the ways of the Spirit, for many are hungry to truly know me, and the Father. Lead them into intimacy and growth in Me. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.”
As you can imagine,
This visitation in February 2001 changed everything for me. When He said the most important point was many disciples were separating themselves from the carnal to seek the true, that was my cue to focus on the true and abiding ways of the Father. He’s moving in relationships…people separating themselves from the carnal expression of so many ‘churches’. What did it mean?
Once I got home from that weekend of ministry I started studying and thinking through all He said. I researched church history and also how God was moving around the world today.
The revelation that the writers of the New Testament did church in the home, writing to people who did church in the home, hit me so hard I was horrified at myself. When I saw in the gospels how most of Jesus’ ministry and miracles were in homes, it drove the point home. I repented more on that point than I think any other thing except for my salvation.
For my whole time of walking with the Father at that point, about 25 years, I had pulled God’s Word out of the home and tried to make it fit into an auditorium! I was so deeply saddened.
By October 2001 I told Barb that I didn’t want to pastor a church again
But if I did, it would be from our living room like Paul did it. Famous last words, as they say, lol.
Three weeks later, November 4, 2001, I was in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, ministering at a Sunday night service, when suddenly the Lord was standing among the worship team, just as He had done on February 4, exactly 9 months earlier. The irony of 9 months being the gestation period before birth didn’t hit me until later, for I saw those 9 months of study and contemplation was exactly a gestation period. He was about to birth something out of me.
“I love these kinds of people” He said as He walked towards me. The church focused on the homeless, the former convicts, street people, addicts. Those who had failed and turned to His grace. Without further comment He continued walking, just 3 or 4 more steps to me:
“You’ve learned much from your studies and the people I’ve brought across your path the past few months.”
The power was ‘turned up’ for lack of a better term and my strength left me as I fell to my knees. I usually fall to my knees anyway when I see Him, but with His power making my earth-body so weak in this visitation, it just happened. The pastor next to me on my left fell face forward, face down on the floor, apparently in a trance or otherwise unconscious.
“You’ve been doing the work of an apostle, but now I’m laying hands on you as an apostle for this task (as He laid both His hands on my head): I want you to start a house church and house church network; (and) structure it in such a way to facilitate the development of house churches around the world.”
When I asked why, He responded: “It’s against a time to come. Be a resource for them, for its against a time to come.” I asked if He had a name in mind and He said: “The Church Without Walls International. You may start at will. I’ll make sure you have all the resources you need.” And other words that remain between us.
Next week, why the early church met in homes and what it means for today. Until then, blessings,
John Fenn
