The presenter pointed at no one in particular in a way that made it feel like he was pointing at everyone at the same time and said, “Churches have to be honest. We love to talk about our strengths, but we have to be honest and transparent about our weaknesses…”
Then
he started an exercise in which we were to state--- out loud, in front of all 19 churches
represented --- what was our congregation’s greatest weakness.
A well-dressed
sister on the far seat of a pew on the right side of the church raised her
hand. “I recently realized that I am my
church’s greatest weakness. It was hard,
but I’m working on being better.”
It
was one of the bravest things I’ve heard anybody say.
Without
caveat or disclaimer, she took upon herself primary responsibility for whatever
progress her church had not made. Oh, and did I mention that the audience at
this meeting was made up of pastors and representatives ELECTED by their
congregation. The sister who spoke up had
the local prestige and pull to win a church-wide election.
Imagine
a senator on the floor of the statehouse saying, “I’m the biggest weakness in
my district.” Kinda unimaginable, isn’t
it?
But
that’s the equivalent of what this sister did.
The
Apostle James made a presentation to the New Testament church and taught, “Confess
your faults/ trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that
you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails
much.” (James 5: 16)
James
wasn’t only talking about confessing our moral transgressions. The word
translated faults or trespasses includes all the ways we “fall
short” in our Kingdom assignments. To
become whole/ healed in our Kingdom work we must each publicly own our Kingdom
weaknesses.
Peter
couldn’t be “The Rock” Jesus nicknamed him until he came to grips with his tendency
to set his mind on man’s interest instead of the things of God (Matthew 16: 17-23)
and the cowardice that his impulsivity and bravado were covering up (John 13:
37, 38)
Thomas
had to openly face his doubtful nature (John 20: 24-29) to regain the courage
to follow Jesus even to certain death (John 11: 16).
Paul
had to face his personal demons every day and admit to the church--- in
writing--- that despite his impressive theological credentials, he regularly
failed.
…a
thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I
be exalted above measure--- Paul, 2 Corinthians 12:7
For
the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to
do, that I practice. --- Paul, Romans 7: 19
Like
the apostles and the brave leader in our last district conference, all of us must
find the courage to be transparent without caveat or disclaimer about the WEAKNESSES
we bring to the Kingdom of God.
That
is how the church experience revival.
Contrary
to popular advertising, Biblical revival is NOT a result of praise. Praise is the response to revival. True Kingdom revival is the RESULT of TRANSPARENT
CONFESSION & REPENTANCE.
If
My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and
seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin and heal their land --- God, 2 Chronicles 7:14
Read
1 Chronicles chapter 29. King Hezekiah
presided over a national revival in Israel with offerings and sacrifices
(verses 21-24), and praise and worship (verses 25-28). But first, there was transparency in the form
of unmitigated confession and repentance (verses 5-9). God’s people owned the fact that their present
problems were the result of their prior actions. Then the Lord sent a
revival.
A
chain is only as strong as its weakest link, right?
I
am the weakest link. Each of us is.
If
we humble ourselves and admit that--- to each other, and then pray fervently
for one another, then God will give greater grace and transform us weak links
into a strong chain.
And
that is the definition of revival: the
process by which God transforms the humbled weak into the Kingdom strong.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” --- God, 2 Corinthians 12: 9
I have witnessed the beginning of revival. Now it’s my turn.
And
yours.
Therefore
most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may
rest upon me. ( 2 Corinthians 12: 9)
---Anderson T. Graves
II is a writer, community organizer and consultant for education, ministry,
and rural leadership development.
Rev.
Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Miles Chapel CME Church in Fairfield,
Alabama; executive director of the Substance Abuse Youth Networking
Organization (SAYNO); and director of
rural leadership development for the National Institute for Human Development (NIHD).
Email atgravestwo2@aol.com
#Awordtothewise
You
can help support Rev. Graves’ work by visiting his personal blog and clicking the DONATE button
on the right-hand sidebar.
Support
by check or money order may be mailed to
Miles
Chapel CME Church
P O
Box 132
Fairfield,
Al 35064
No comments:
Post a Comment