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One of the first things that struck me when I began looking through this forum was the overwhelming priority of loving one another, and being respectful of others views. I currently attend an IC but am considering begining a HC. I just read a post where a gentleman called everyone going to an IC to repent. This brought up an interesting topic for discussion. I am blessed in that the Lord has led me to a church that LOVES the Lord. Their worship is extravegant and experiencing the love of God is one of the highest values in the church. The church also crosses streams with TACF (Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship). I'm sure most of you are aware of the impact the outpouring of God's Spirit their has made around the world. I personally experienced the blessing of being able to go their and feel the tremendous loving presence of the Lord. I was also healed of SEVERE asthma while my wife and I visited (of which I have not had ANY symptoms some two years later). One of the most tremendous things that has come out of this revival is the revival in Mozambique Africa through the work of Heidi and Rolland Baker. ( www.irismin.org ) They have seen some 7,000 churches started in a practically completely muslim area. The deaf hear, blind see, dead are raised, etc...
Now to my question: Where is the balancing point of recognizing that the "form" needs help but the meat of the Lord's presence still very much flows through an "old wineskin" form? I hope this made sense and I very much look forward to hearing from you all. I esteem all of you very highly and am blessed in knowing there are believers as sincere as you all.
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Praise the Lord, brother, that your asthma has vanished!!!
I am pondering your post and your question. I am certainly open to other moves of God.
Repentance, rather than seperation, is always the first course. The churches, for example, addressed in Revelation received such a message instead of being told to pull out.
Perhaps the answer may hinge upon the MODERN meanings of "church membership" and "starting a church" which I don't believe are Scriptural.
I'm thinking... and I'm praying for you. Be back soon. David Anderson
Is the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship you mention the same as Toronto Airport Vineyard? I must warn you about the Toronto movement. Here is an excellent site warning of dangers there. I'll post this one article's link and you can search site for more if interested. They have much more information.
This is one of the "new" movements we must beware of today. BTW, just because one exposes something doesn't mean they have it all right themselves. I'm not saying I agree with them 100%; but they do some good exposes.
A friend of mine asked me if there wasn't just one teacher who had it all right. I told her yes, the Holy Spirit is the one teacher who's never wrong and the Bible is the one book that has all the answers and God's kingdom is the only organization that is 100%. Let us strive to enter the narrow gate.
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Faith, I'm glad your happy about my healing. I am convinced I still remain the happiest! You would just never imagine what a difference it makes for a person's overall lifestyle. Not having to worry about inhalers and steriods and stuff like that. Not having to say no to football with neighborhood kids. God is a Good God. To answer your question, Toronto Vineyard changed their name to Toronto Airport Christian fellowship when the Vineyard organization asked them to leave. I'm sorry you have such a negative view of that church. I too have read the exposes and "Counterfiet Revival" books. Unfortunately these are very "one way" type of writings which do not give room for what God is doing outside of what the authors have experienced themselves. I have met and become friends with several of the people listed by name in most of these exposes, and I can speak for myself that they are sincere, Jesus loving people who are anything but con-artists or shams. I don't want to get off topic so if you have any questions PLEASE feel free to email me. strussrod@juno.com
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Junior, I would be very interested in further details of your experiences and have begun a new thread to that end. Do reply when you can, my brother. Thanks!
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Hi All! I've been involved (in leadership and pastoring) within the renewal world for several years. We've been involved with Toronto associated churches who have experienced the outpouring of the Spirit in beautiful ways. We have recently (over the last 6 months or so) begun a house church. The Lord's leading in this process has been profound. I guess what I would like to add is that I believe in the outpouring of the Spirit. And I also believe that the Lord's hand is upon His Body in unity and reformation through house churches. I believe that (although, like all things, was not perfect) what happened in 1994 in Toronto (and many other places around the world) was a true and beautiful move of the Lord that brought revelation knowledge about the Father's heart towards His children. I have also experienced that, as with all revivals throughout history, it's important that we do not camp on a certain spiritual move and define the Lord's entire personality through His past actions. What He's doing now is calling His Body into Truth - and he's beginning to dismantel the clergy/laity system and ignighting EVERY member of the Body into action. The move of His Spirit is certainly NOT confined to buildings. His Desire is for His people to uphold the TRUTH of the Word as their standard... and nothing less. And the Word of God is clear on what he desires for His people in relationship to each other. In many ways, this cannot happen within large structures. We ARE the church. We do not go to CHURCH to experience Him. We abide with HIM as His Body. In unity and in beauty. Renewal is still alive. It's just manefesting in different ways than 11 years ago.
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Christine, it is awesome to hear about your own experience and blessing from the Father's Blessing. It is often frustrating when people will automatically discredit you and your ministry after identifying yourself with anything that resemble TACF. It's a shame. After I came back from visiting the church for myself, I was more passionate for Jesus, more outspoken, and I saw more miracles when I prayed for people then ever before. Some how all of this doesn't mean anything because people are afraid of being decieved. I wonder if these same people would have urged Luther to stop his new teachings as well.
Another way of putting it: It is always easier to see a true move of God some hundred years or so after it happened. During it there are always people who resist what God is doing NOW. Jesus said you search the scriptures because in them you think there is life, yet you refuse to come to me that I may give you life. Too bad. We must all pray that God would open all of our eyes to what He is doing now. Whether that be changing from IC to HC or no power christianity to power filled. Just some thoughts.
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I'm glad you experienced good fruit from the renewal. I have friends who were ministers there.
How long has it been since you were there? What has the Lord been doing with you lately?
I truly believe that we are experiencing another move of God (like the one that broke out across the world in 1994) only now it's in the form of "reformation". I think God is addressing His Body and setting straight some false foundations. I believe the "house church movement" that is happening right now is a major part of that.
I agree that we need to be open to what God wants to do. And I also agree that so often people reject Gods hand when it comes in a different way than they expect.
I hope we can recognize His current move, even if it means that some of what we cling to has to die.
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