Seeing Beyond Reality: The Prophetic Movement Part:1

The Prophetic Movement Part:1

Before I start let me throw out a little disclaimer. I believe in the prophetic and I believe that it has a place in the local church. I do however think there has been to much emphasis placed on this office and gift. It's a high profile gift in sorts. Never have I experienced the influx of prophetic words and so called prophets as I have in the past year. Everyone has word so it seems. I wonder if prophecy was a more behind the scene gift if there would be as many standing in line wanting to give their prophetic word. Probably not! There are some, not all, that thrive off of the attention they get when they stand on the stage of the church with microphone in hand, with all eyes upon them awaiting this word from the Lord. There is a hint of pride and and arrogance attached to this movement. Knowingly or not, fact is, it's there. So, all that to say, I believe in the prophetic, but in balance and with humility.

Let me say this.............Discernment is not judgment! I remember the week the Lakeland Revival kicked off. Everyone was ready to hop on planes and trains to get to this revival hot spot being led by Todd Bentley. I shared with some colleagues a few of my concerns regarding this new move. I was discerning a few things and was not ready to join the mass exodus to Florida. Someone had mistaken my discernment and concerns as judgment and suggested that my judgment on this revival would bring a curse upon the church that I pastor. WOW! Leaders of this movement are teaching people that discernment is judging, asking questions is judgment, not agreeing with certain practices is yes you guessed it, judgment. Let me say something else................. We are to renew our minds, not remove them! Here is another angle. As a result of having discernment I have been accused of needing new wine skin. Someone had the audacity to tell me that I cannot receive this new wine being poured out with my old wine skin. What some are calling new wine is simply WEIRD! By labeling discernment as judgment the prophetic movement has embraced a standard less, anything goes Theology. The standard is subjective and the fruit of an individual's opinion.

Labeling discernment as judgment is a fear tactic and an abuse of authority. People become afraid to express their concerns or to ask questions out of fear of becoming judgmental or fear of coming against a leader's spiritual authority. This is especially true amongst new believers who have not yet built a strong foundation in the word of God. As a spiritual leader in the church let me say this............ If you have to leverage your authority over those that you are leading in order for them to recognize and respect it, your authority is self acclaimed and not God ordained! So, the prophetic movement as a whole is in a mess because the boundary lines have been removed and as a result there are no lines to cross so anything goes. If there are lines they are subjective.

Later this week I will talk in greater detail about some of the manifestations taking place in the local church.

Posted by Lance Coffman at 8/13/2008 9:01 AM