Yet Another Pentecostal Organization

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Bro... you're ignorant of your history. The greatest church growth in history took place in the first two centuries without any global organization or great wealth. They had regional houses, mostly based in homes, networked sharing the Gospel one on one. Missionaries, like Paul, had a trade and would travel to a region and set up shop, supporting themselves and sharing the Gospel person to person.

You'll see the Great Awakening spread revivals this way too. They were mostly opposed by the religious organizations and institutions of their day. Even John Wesley admitted he did more to further the Kingdom of God preaching from tree stumps and his father's tomb than behind the pulpit he eventually grew into.

And even today the greatest church growth around the world is taking place in China and India among loosely knit networks of house churches who most often don't own any property beyond a private home. A great example of this is the movement began by Ying Kai after the Holy Spirit convicted him not to start churches... but to reach and train disciples to reach and train disciples to start churches. Everyone within his house church network is discipled and trained with one vision... start a fellowship that trains others to start a fellowship who trains others to... and so on. The growth is UNBELIEVABLE. The inspiration of one man led of the Holy Ghost. He believes that if you're still sitting under him after about a year, something is wrong with your experience. He doesn't want to see his disciples sitting in rows listening to him for 40 years. He wants them equipped and empowered to reach their world by starting fellowships within their own homes to do the same.

Truth is... today we have the largest and most wealthy "organizations" and denominations ever. And yet church growth in Europe and America is abysmal. We're seeing massive growth in undeveloped regions among those who house church, their entire Christianity being missional and person to person... just like in the first two centuries. These movements aren't requesting a lot of money either. It's not a program in their faith. It's THE MISSION. Their reason for breathing.

Get back to basics... we are trying to save the world with a "corporate business model". And even this thread demonstrates that in this model all you'll see is division after division as everyone divides over the idolatry of their pet ideas.

Love this post