Preparing a congregation for the inbreaking of the Holy Spirit

[Roy Richardson]

I've been in my parish since July, 2010, and I sense that God is preparing to move her. I'm not sure how, or in what area, but I do see stirrings of a movement. This past Sunday I used a liturgy of lament to accompany Matthew 5:4 and the Spirit moved powerfully in the lives of the people. I sense that they are being prepared, and obstacles are being removed that have hindered revival in the past.

My question is: What practices have you used other than prayer and sound biblical teaching to help a congregation prepare their hearts for revival? I've asked the board and some of the older adults to join me in fasting 1x/week for this. I don't want to rush the process, so I'm sensing the need for a medium-intensity/ long-duration process that will allow us to keep our hearts tender to the Spirit's leading.

If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

[David Graham]

Reading scriptural passages about the church taking of the sacrament (i.e. Holy Communion), and then reflectively getting the church to taking of the sacrament in small groups. It is particularly helpful if apparant antagonists within a congregation can be placed in the same group.

[Roy Richardson]

Reading scriptural passages about the church taking of the sacrament (i.e. Holy Communion), and then reflectively getting the church to taking of the sacrament in small groups. It is particularly helpful if apparant antagonists within a congregation can be placed in the same group.
Can you elaborate on the small groups concept? Is it in the context of a worship service, or more of a small group setting?

[Gina Stevenson]

There's a small group sort of study that looks like it's going to be a decent one that the groups in our church are just beginning, re the Holy Spirit ... the (sometimes) "forgotten" person of the trinity. Actually, hadn't heard of, that I can recall, the previous book this Francis Chan wrote, "Crazy Love." That sounds like a good one I might get.

Here's the website re this book/study/video/et al:

http://forgottengod.com/

[Marsha Lynn]

Roy, as I read your words, this snippet from Luke 17 came to mind:


"The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, `Here it is,' or `There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."
It seems to me that what you're doing is good. My observation is that kingdom change is better seen in retrospect than as it comes in. In fact, it can be quite painful as it comes in and not look like anything good at all. It's sort of like surgery. It's only the faith that things will be better after it is over that motivates us to stay still long enough to let it happen. If you can stay still and pray and fast and "wait upon the Lord" and be open to change but not insist on seeing something happen, I think you will be able to look back after a while and realize that change has crept in unannounced where you least expected it. And it will be good.

May God richly bless you and your people.

[Roy Richardson]

Thanks. I know we cannot "command" it to happen, but I do believe there are things we as leaders can do to help our people be open to what the Spirit wants to do in them. That is what I sense is the need here. I think God is moving in some, but I sense that He is poised for a breakthrough move in the entire congregation.

[Rich Schmidt]

Thanks. I know we cannot "command" it to happen, but I do believe there are things we as leaders can do to help our people be open to what the Spirit wants to do in them. That is what I sense is the need here. I think God is moving in some, but I sense that He is poised for a breakthrough move in the entire congregation.

Then I would say just keep going in the same direction you're going now. One foot in front of the other. You've invited some leaders to join you in fasting once a week. See what that brings. It may be that the next step will arise from one of those leaders.

[Susan Unger]

Be open to all that God wants to do and show you. Closed minds are killer minds.

[David Graham]

Can you elaborate on the small groups concept? Is it in the context of a worship service, or more of a small group setting?

Roy, it's within the regular worship service. The minister in conjunction with the elders (if they are not part of the problem) picks out who is to be in each group. It can appear a little "pointed" and yes it is risky, but it also does appear to work..... most times.