I am retired Air Force and worked in flight test for many years. Planes that are still in the inventory of the Air Force are constantly undergoing improvements and modernization which must be tested. One of the airplanes we test is the B-2 bomber, a stealth aircraft that can evade enemy radar. So it can fly its missions virtually undetectable.

The persecuted church around the world must also conduct its mission behind the scenes and evading the “radar” of the culture around it. It must become invisible to forces arrayed against it to remain effective in its mission. If the church takes unwise actions that make it a target, then the full countermeasures of the enemy are brought to bear against it leading to arrest, imprisonment, even death. If the Taliban finds someone in possession of a bible or a bible app on their phone, it could mean instant execution. Those times may come for the church during the time we have left on the earth. I believe the time has come when the church must learn to operate in secret with complete reliance on the Lord for supernatural protection as we stay focused on the mission.

Freedom of religion in the west is becoming a thing of the past as wicked forces drive the culture. Some countries are banning any speech contrary to the approved narratives. Criticism of the wicked and their reprobate, evil ways is quickly labeled hate speech which is tantamount to declaring the bible itself as hateful. The day will come soon when any voice for biblical truth against the evil practices of the wicked will be illegal. Its already happening.

Isn’t that similar to the first century? Acts 4 tells the account of Peter and John who were forbidden by the authorities to preach the gospel. And yet preach in the Name they continued to do. That’s the choice coming for the western church: are we to stand faithfully on the Word of God or are we to conform our messages to fit the cultural requirements? COVID was a test of these principles. On one hand we are called to live in submission to the government but there is a line we cannot cross for the sake of remaining faithful to the Lord and his Word. That was the debate during the pandemic and various churches responded in various ways that spanned the spectrum from full compliance with ridiculous and disruptive requirements to complete opposition and court battles.

In my opinion, the church showed itself to be unwise and unprepared. The church was scrambling to figure out how they were going to approach the issue of compliance required by the government and it led to unwise decisions that will probably make things worse the next time around. Did we learn anything? Have we tried to be more proactive in determining how we will respond to governmental requirements in the future? Have church leaders established biblical criteria to guide wise decision making should this happen again (and it will). Are there contingencies in place for a church to morph quickly to a different, more clandestine operation when certain criteria are met?

I believe the time has come when the church that remains faithful to the Word of God and the mission of the gospel must either adapt now to what is coming or at least have contingency plans in place.

Operating in An Environment of Persecution

How will churches operate in a harsh environment? Well, I have not experienced that. Few of us have. But perhaps there are a few things we could think about and a few things we could learn from our persecuted brothers and sisters. Maybe they should be brought in to speak to churches about what persecution looks like and the practicalities of operating as a church in that kind of environment. It will be quite different and I believe leaders in the church are responsible in the Lord to prepare their people mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. There are steps that can and should be taken now.

There are perhaps a few logical things to consider in light of the Book of Acts and testimony of the persecuted church on Open Doors. The one thing we cannot do much longer is remain in denial about what is coming and just continue business as usual as if nothing will ever change. Maybe that’s the first thing a church can do – take good hard, honest look at the culture from what it was 10 years ago to what it is now. Shocking! Time to wake up.

I have already articulated some of the operational characteristics of a Home Church model, but here is a brief summary, or refer back to the previous post:

1. Foundation. The Home Church is the foundation of the church. The Home Church is the focus for making mature disciples who understand the Word of God, conduct themselves in accordance with its requirements, and are active in biblically compliant ministry.
2. Mission. Completely aligned with the Great Commission to preach the gospel and make disciples. Everything in the church aligns with mission. A church should not have another mission statement. Just adopt the mission as given by the Lord.
3. Calling over credentials. Church staff and leaders are unpaid volunteers called by the Holy Spirit, trained, mentored, commissioned, and guided by more experienced elders and pastors.
4. Church Leadership.
   • Pastors function at the Home Church level to train and equip the saints for the work of ministry. Pastors must learn to identify giftings and calling of people and employ them in the capacity that fits them rather than taking the full ministry load themselves (a violation of scripture).
   • Elders provide oversight across Home Churches to ensure doctrinal compliance with the scriptures, equitable care and feeding of believers, and support to resolve issues and concerns that may transcend the capability of a Home Church.
   • Deacons are commissioned to focus on the care of believers. People gifted in hospitality, kindness, discernment, and compassion are chosen.
   • There is no senior pastor. A board of elders provides oversight and guidance of the church.
5. Facility. No permanent facility is acquired. Instead, there is periodic rental of larger venues as required to support plenary gatherings of home churches. Current permanent facility should be sold and the proceeds used wisely for the care of all believers based on their needs.
6. Unpaid staff. There is no payroll. Service to the church is as unto the Lord. That which is freely received in terms of supernatural gifts is freely given for the edification of the church.
7. Care of the believers. Deacons take the lead in believer care provided at the lowest level – the home church – to the extent possible. Above and beyond requirements are coordinated and provided through the Elders.
8. Giving. There is no giving requirement to fund overhead costs (facility and payroll) because there is no overhead costs at all. However, there should perhaps be a source of funds available to ensure adequate care for all the people of the church. The “gold standard” in the New Testament (pardon the pun) is that all personal resources are available for the temporal care of all believers with oversight by elders. No believer is ever in need of housing, food, warmth, or medical care. From those who have more, more is expected to support those with little.
9. Church size. Recommend adherence to the size indicated in scripture of about 120 (Acts 1:15). NOTE: details in scripture are not random or meaningless. They are important. The Holy Spirit gave this number for a reason. Other church size recommendations derived from this number are in the previous post. Home churches and leader numbers should be adjusted to remain within parameters of church size. Church leadership should consider splitting off a separate elder group with their own home churches when total membership exceeds 120-150 people, to maintain the approximate 120 member target.
10. Church growth. Numbers of course will fluctuate depending on normal inflow and outflow as people come and go for various reasons. Numbers of homes churches and leadership should be adjusted as needed. Growth in numbers should primarily be the result of evangelistic outreach to the community around the home church.
11. Discipleship. Home church members receive hands-on training in different approaches to evangelism to include door to door, neighborhood outreach, etc. Each new believer is welcomed into the church, baptized as soon as possible, and assigned a mentor for connecting into the home church and receiving instruction in basic biblical doctrine as a priority.

For security and safety of home church members, there should be no web sites or social media with the names and addresses of anyone. Don’t “dox” your members and expose them unnecessarily to the threat. Web presence is visibility that may need to be removed soon as exposure may eventually become dangerous.

Churches may need to consider finding more secure methods of communication and going off the information grid as much as possible. The web may eventually be purged of biblical Christian presence anyway, so get used to a more secure and secretive digital “footprint”. Alternative modes of communication may include secure apps and e-mail. But prepare for the possible loss of internet and have back-up comm channels available. Also it may be necessary to make hard copy of church documentation and instruction materials. Church members should be trained in basic operations security.

I believe these principles, if enacted, will help keep the church operation “below the radar” and mission focused. Without the legal and logistical headaches of facility and payroll, the full attention of leadership can be given to ensuring mission focus is maintained, the discipleship of believers, training and mentoring of home church pastors, care of believers, resolving issues and disputes, managing home churches, etc.

Expecting the Supernatural

A lot of the church today has de-supernaturalized the practice of the faith. Supernatural healing, deliverance from demonic oppression/possession, etc are not extant today some say, possibly because of the abuse of televangelists who bilk people out of their money through deception and bad character. God does not confirm or condone that which violates His Word or exploits people to the detriment of the mission.

The church in the first century was persecuted but it was also filled with the power of the Holy Spirit manifesting in healing and other miraculous signs and wonders coupled tightly with the preaching of the gospel.

Many churches may desire the supernatural but don’t understand the supernatural so it remains theoretical. The supernatural – signs, miracles, and wonders – is not an end unto itself or to confirm the arrogance of men. It is the gospel that is confirmed by supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit as He sees fit. I believe that a church fully reliant on God and fully focused on the mission of the gospel would once again see the supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit. But only to the extent where there is faith and full compliance with the Word of God as we walk in submission and humility in our conduct and in the mission.

Churches that reject the miraculous as displayed in healing, deliverance from demonic possession, or other miracles: 1) completely cede the supernatural to the forces of darkness which gladly accept any advantage we are willing to give, 2) find themselves in the self refuting position of rejecting very large swathes of scripture while claiming to believe the full Word of God, and 3) do a disservice to people who remain in bondage because we refuse to take action by faith, believing God will actually deliver them. Do we walk the other side of the road or stay behind church doors with our head turned away from the plight of those who are in darkness and bondage? Have we become self-absorbed religious people or are we like the good Samaritan who shows compassion and takes action?

Here is the thing: we live in a supernatural world. Are Christians going to engage or not. One thing is clear: the pagan world absolutely believes in the dark supernatural power at work today. They practice it, its real and its powerful. Lets not engage the spiritual battle with both hands tied behind our back. I hope churches will teach what the bible says about the supernatural and train their people to operate in faith and obedience to the scripture, to include the expectation of the supernatural. Lets learn to expect miracles as we pray for people but lets make sure we operate in faith and submission to the Lord and in accordance with the procedures defined in scripture.

The link between the supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit to the preaching of the gospel must remain intact. As churches once again align with biblical faith and practice and give up their resources, expect the supernatural in the context of preaching the gospel. The goal is always the salvation of people that will one day inherit the Kingdom of God when it is established. That goal must be at the forefront of mission. Miracles are short term manifestations meant primarily for two things: 1) to show the forces of darkness out there on the streets that the power of God’s Kingdom is still forcefully taking back what they have claimed and 2) to confirm the gospel as true. Its still that two-pronged mission. So if you step out in faith praying for God to heal someone, and He does, then you are obligated to share the gospel. He heals and delivers out of His compassion but the natural extension of that compassion is salvation perhaps of many people who witness the miracle.

Now wouldn’t that be awesome!

Be ready.