February 11th, 2020

Rekindling the flame

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self control,” 2 Timothy 1:6-7

By definition, whatever a revival is, it sounds like crying for something we once had. But maybe we’ve not been this way before; maybe we can't relive the 70s or 80s again, although sometimes it feels like we’re trying to.

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self control,” 2 Timothy 1:6-7

REKINDLING THE FLAME

By definition, whatever a revival is, it sounds like crying for something we once had. But maybe we’ve not been this way before; maybe we can't relive the 70s or 80s again, although sometimes it feels like we’re trying to. 

What if this revitalizing fire we’re hungering for across the nation is not about everyone becoming like us but us becoming more like we’re meant to be inspired by the Holy Spirit’s activating energy which just spills out naturally through our loving relationships.

Maybe what is starting to happen in pockets around the nation is so fresh and untainted that it can’t be contained by any denomination or within any church structure or building or programme and that attempts to do so will in fact stop the flow?
 
Are you open to having your mindsets and worldview challenged and changed? Is your language locked down into biblical clichés so people of the world immediately spot your Christian sales pitch? Are your views on difficult topics so rigid that you end up having arguments rather than debates and discussions?

Are your church services so structured that everything is orchestrated, rehearsed and timed so there’s no flexibility or spontaneity? Are your house groups so framed that you only get to discuss what was said on Sunday, and follow a set format with little chance to talk about the day to day challenges, difficulties, needs, concerns and questions you might have about your faith?

What is that’s not the way many of us are wired and only leads to more top down flat format, uninspiring gatherings that will, like so many similar efforts before the, just fizzle out as numbers swindle and people become distracted?

 What if our Creator has raised up Maori and Pakeha to be in tune with the land and the times to be part of something unique? 

Let’s talk about that, let’s explore that possibility; what would that look like as we engage in our bi-cultural journey and look for unity in diversity and what Christian identity looks like in 21st century Aotearoa New Zealand?

Instead of looking ‘out there’ for programmes, speakers, talent and new ideas for our local churches we should start by looking at the gifts and opportunities in our own midst. What if our Creator is looking to release a new wave of creativity in just about every area of our lives imaginable, including in your workplace and in areas where you always wanted to engage.

The pastor and leadership team as talent scouts, encouragers and developers of potential...now that shouldn’t be a new idea.

Are we praying for our nation and our local government and church leaders, specific community needs; looking to engage with local marae and iwi leaders and for discernment on how to engage with in our street, our neigbourhood and who we might partner with to make a difference?

Who’s doing it well; who’s sharing and serving the broader body beyond the walls of their own denomination? 

Who’s got the best plans and resources for changing the game, bringing down the walls of division, dealing with injustice and offering alternatives to the broken systems arounds us?

Who’s got the best programmes to disciple difficult people, from academics to gang members, that can excite and inspire those who have endless questions as they activate and explore this new faith so it doesn’t just settle for the pew and then the backdoor? 

What if we shut down the smoke machines and flashing lights and just waited in the silence to hear...I don't think the Holy Spirit needs theme music to make an entrance...or call down from out of the clouds the God of the Universe who is already everpresenteverywhere. Christ in us. What a heritage. 

Maybe we should learn to look a listen a little longer and look a little deeper when we engage and look for the Christ in each other? 

If we love our neighbours like we really truly would like to be loved then maybe all the little fires; might start leaping like sparks between us, through us, out from us.