The Reformation IS Being Televised...
In 2005, before I moved to America, I was walking across a field on the mountain where I lived, I believe the Holy Spirit spoke these words to me,
"The coming move that you will see will be a Reformation of Practice"
I asked,
"What do you mean by a 'Reformation of Practice'"
To which He did not reply. I therefore concluded, from what I knew of reformation, that it may mean that God would reform the way the Church practiced her Christianity.
Three years later, whilst living in America, I read a book by an unknown author to me at the time called Bill Johnson. The book was called, "When Heaven Invades Earth". Reading the introduction story of a perculiar wedding, and the miracles that followed, triggered me to say out loud,
"I wonder if this is part of that 'Reformation of Practice'"
It's been twenty years since God spoke to me on the mountain in Wales, and seveteen years since reading Johnson's book, I could not have imagined that Bethel would also be part of this Reformation of Practice in light of recent events in the Church.
People LOVE to criticise Bethel Church, in Redding California. I ignore most. However, in the past few weeks we have seen something done that I have never seen from any leader that I have ever known, an admission of wrong and a commitment to change.
The YouTube critics got what they wanted, or did they? When I saw the demands of what Mike Winger, The Minor Prophets, and Remnant Radio etc. deemed as "repentance", I knew this would never be over. It would never be good enough. That upset me. I stopped watching their podcasts.
I heard a definition for the "Fear of the Lord" the other day that I like, living in the "Fear of the Lord" is,
Living with the realisation that He's God and I'm not!
I'm all for accountability, but I'm not for the drama the YouTube critics perpetuate. They are not the reformers, God is the reformer. I appreciate them speaking up, and the effect it has had, but I find it hard to hang around and listen to how those who said "sorry" could've done it better. You can't please everyone.
For myself, well, my life has been transformed by the teaching from Bethel, and the friendships I have with the connections I have made. I have had some powerful, life-changing, times when I have been there. I am satisfied that they are committed to change. They dropped the ball, but they have picked it back up and will be back in the game. I respect what their leadership have done. I also feel confident that the victims will get some form of justice and support. Just don't set unrealistic expectations, and you won't be disappointed if they don't do what YOU think they should do. Leave that to God. Pray He shapes their hearts. There are good people there, and they want the best for people, and for the Church as a whole. Remember, "He is God and I'm not!"
I have been in churches of all kinds of denominational persuasions, and seen corruption, abuse of authority, and abuse of Scripture in every one of them. Here's the kicker, EVERY one of them claim the Bible as their authority for their teaching and practice. This is the sad reality of where we are at. This is why need Reformation, and not just Bethel, or this mythical NAR network that many Charismatics are supposed to be a part of. It's nonsense. The whole Church needs it!
Let's be humble in these days ahead.
James 1:19
Remember, the first Reformation took around 130 years to happen, and as Dann Farrelly said during his confession and apology,
"There's seldom a microwave fix to a crock-pot problem"
The Book of Mom
This took years to happen, and it will take years to undo and reform. This is what the Church needs. God can also work on the critics too, and their unrelenting demands and opinions. We need reform across the whole church, not just the Charismatics. I will have more to say about this Reformation, but for now,
"He is God, and I'm not!"
Mwy Arglwydd...
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