What Lakeland Tells Me About the Church #1 Most Ministers Cannot See Beyond Their Call
June 19th, 2008 by Carl Thomas.Is what is happening in Lakeland a revival? There seems to be one clear way to answer that question. If Lakeland is producing what you want for your ministry, then it is revival. If it is not producing the fruit you want in your ministry then it is something else. How far Lakeland diverges from your vision determines how far it deviates from biblical Christianity.
It is that simple.
Lakeland has really polarized the Church, at least the “Spirit-Filled” branch of it.
Some believe that revival brings sinners to repentance on a city wide scale. Others think that revival should reawaken the dead church and bring the reality of the Return to the forefront. Others think that revival is any time that the manifest presence of God is poured out on a congregation over an extended period.
In that last definition Lakeland is certainly a revival. Under the classic awakening type definition it clearly is not. But why are people debating an extra biblical term? Are ministers vying for maintaining the purity of the “Revival” tag? Most would agree that revival is the pinnacle of Pentecostalism. But many make the mistake that those who experience it in their ministries have reached ministerial nirvana.
So many want to say that this is not revival because in their hierarchical mindset that would make Todd “above” them and thus their ministry and gifts on a lower level. It might even mean that they have been contending in the wrong direction for years. Most cannot fathom either one so instead of re-evaluating their corporate mindsets, they attack the move.
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The hierarchy thing has gotta go out the window, Todd’s an anointed driver of all of this, but God’s doing the pouring out on all flesh.
Ministers who want to look at this competitively need to be tossed out the window– cos’ if God’s pouring out His Spirit on all flesh, then competing ministries/pastors don’t fit that paradigm.
What’s happening in Lakeland is still in its infancy, and I think it can go either way. Hopefully the fire will spread, and the entire church will be touched and renewed. Otherwise, it’ll become a pretty cool late night series for tv.
Some very good observations Carl. Unfortunately, I believe that you are correct when it comes to quite a few ministers in America.
@roy - I will gladly help you toss as long as the window is not to high. I have not worked out that raise them from the dead thing yet.
@Michael - thanks. I know some have genuine theological concerns but just as many see the flesh in Lakeland, I see the flesh in their reactions.
My Bible,KJV, tells me that Jesus said that because He goes back to the Father,greater things than this ye could do.
This modern church is so wrapped up in tradition that they can not do miracles because of their doubt/unbelief.They can not believe a miracle when they see one!
Don’t worry about the “wild fire” there will always be enough “wet blankets” to put it out!
The pastors of most churches are afraid that their members will give some money or even change to a church where they are “fed” and the pastor will loose that “fish”.God help them.
Carl, I think that you hit the nail on the head with the term “hierarchical mindset”. That mindset tends to seek out who “owns” a move of God. I know this by experience…..and I have been one of these seekers for a long time! That is why Todd is coming under serious attack from many quarters…..carrying the Revival “baton” is not unlike like having the primogeniture. What many fail to realize is that Todd does not own the outpouring, but he is certainly a voice and a catalyst within that.
@Mary - Good word.
@John - amen.