THE CHURCH I SEE...
MOBILISED, POSITIONED, TOGETHER AND EMPOWERED
by Wayne Alcorn
As a movement, we are entering a new season. When I look at the formation of the early church, I see four things that were really important at the foundations over 2000 years ago. Things that made the early church fruitful, effective and multiply – where they saw thousands and thousands of people becoming disciples and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. These four simple principles remain important for us in the Church of the 21st century. They worked for them and I believe will work for us.
1. Everyone was mobilised
“... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Did you know there are over 6.5 billion human beings on the planet and every one is loved by God? We have the responsibility of taking the good news of Jesus Christ to them.
I love the fact that the early Church was mobilised. I am very appreciative of what was achieved in the 20th century but this is a new day for the Church.
As we set about this new season in our movement, one of my goals is to work closely with Pastor Alun Davies, who will give direction and leadership to ACC World Missions, to review and assess the way we endeavour to reach the nations.
The Church that I see is mobilised to reach the nations but let me tell you, we must also reach our own nation. The Church I see believes Aussies need Jesus.
The Church is meant to be God’s healing agent in the earth. One of the things I see as we begin to reach our ‘Jerusalem or Judea’ is the Church rising up to be a care force. God has empowered us to show tangible expressions of His love to a hurting world.
Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of Heaven as mustard seed in Matthew 13. It’s very, very small when it’s planted but then in time it becomes a shoot, then a shrub, and finally a tree. A tree is a significant feature on the landscape and Jesus said that the birds of the air will come to it. The ‘locals’ knew where that tree stood. Our churches can be like that tree - feeding hungry hearts, giving protection, encouragement and support to the people in our communities.
Another thing that has been stirring in my heart is how we plant churches. It’s time for us to see churches planted from genuine strength and then see them become a powerful force that brings honour to Jesus.
This is the Church I see – a Church that’s planting churches that in turn become powerful. A Church that’s reaching out and loving others. A Church that’s seeing young people, seniors, children, and different cultures working together with one purpose - to extend the Kingdom of God. It’s a Church that’s mobilised.
2. Everyone was positioned
The second thing I notice about the early Church is that everyone was positioned. The Bible tells how they were all together in one place and a mighty “wind came from heaven and it filled the whole house...” (Acts 2:1,2).
The word ‘whole’ is important here. It filled the whole house where they were sitting – not just those who were at the front but also those who were right up at the back. God wants to bless, empower and anoint all of us.
A coach of a junior cricket team will tell the young players, “When you take catches, you win matches”. What they often forget to tell them is that if you want to take the catch, you have to be positioned in a place where the ball is going to go. It’s all about positioning.
The early Church was positioned and the Church that I see is positioned as well.There are over 1100 Australian Christian Churches across Australia and the number of our constituents is quite significant with more than 200,000 people.
One of the things that is in my heart is that we position our churches to break through ceilings. God wants His Church to grow. Jesus said, “I will build my church”. The Message translation puts it like this: “... church that’s so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out” (Matthew 16:18). Let’s help our churches get positioned for breakthrough.
3. All together in one place
The third thing about the early Church is that they were all together in one place – “in one accord” the New King James says. Everyone was united. We can’t underestimate the power of unity.
People have been asking me what I intend to do as I lead this movement. Quite simply, create opportunities for us to work together.
Unity is about getting people together, and as we talk, we create opportunities for miracles to happen.
At our National Conference in April, I watched when our emerging leaders from all around the nation got together and began to talk. I also watched when hundreds came together to say, “I want to play my part to reach the Indigenous people.” Then I watched as men and women who’ve been serving our movement for decades, now 65 years of age and older, got together and conversations started. The Kingdom of God advances along lines of meaningful relationships.
Please understand that when I say unity, I don’t mean uniformity. The landscape of the Australian Church has changed radically in the last decade or so. We’re starting to see all sorts of expressions, styles and networks and there is strength in us being different.
If we are mature, we will have the ability to celebrate diversity. The immature expects everyone to be the same, but the mature say, “You’re different from me but I see what you bring to the table. I honour you and I celebrate the possibility and potential of your gift in Jesus’ name.”
The Australian Christian Churches has evolved from the past in that we’re still one family but we are many ‘clubs’. There’s nothing wrong with that. I have a wife and two boys. One son is a member of the cricket club and the other is a member of a swimming club, and they are both members of a hockey club. But regardless of what clubs they are involved in, they are all members of one family. People think they can’t be part of the club and the family – yes, you can! In fact, I believe this movement will move forward as we celebrate and harness the strength of all of the clubs. Unity despite diversity.
4. Empowered by the Spirit
Finally, when the early Church was together in one place, they started to hear a sound from heaven. The Church that I see, contemporary as it is with all its technology, is still reliant on the Holy Spirit. My prayer is that God will move on us again.
The Church I see is empowered to lead, empowered to serve, empowered to reach and empowered to go.
What do we have to offer to people? We’ve got to offer hope, the power of the Spirit, the grace of God and the person of Jesus Christ.
How are we going to get this message out? It’s not by power or by might but by His Spirit. My prayer for us as the family of God is that there be a new anointing on this new day as we seek to reach our nation and beyond for Jesus Christ.
Wayne Alcorn is the National President of Australian Christian Churches. Adapted from the President’s address at the ACC National Conference, April 2009