|
Implementing CONECT in
the Local Church |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Christian Outreach Network Establishing Church-Wide Teamwork So, how do we apply what we learned about Nehemiah from Operation Reformation?
The first step in
building a strong base of operations is to identify the perimeter or
wall (build the wall of prayer). To
Second, what is the condition of the wall (people)? This identifies your strengths and major areas requiring prayer.
The walls will be built by people interceding. Each family prays for two other families. To learn more about building the wall or prayer see the Role of the Intercessor. Third, what ministries exist in your local church or ministry? These are the gates of the wall. These are the places that ministry flows in and out.
The condition of
each gate will have to be determined and then watchman in the church
should be identified. What will be accomplished through this exercise? Upon completion you will have:
Once you have identified the wall, have each family pray for two other families. Imagine what it was like in Jerusalem in Nehemiah's time. Each family was assigned a position on the wall to rebuild. Therefore they had one family on either side of them. Each family worked by two others. I'm sure that working side by side they got to know each other well and that is what we should do in our churches. If the families do not know one another, then they should get to know one another so that they'll know how to pray for one another. To learn more see the Role of the Intercessor. The fourth thing to do is to provide guidance to your people for prayer. They need to know the vision of your particular local church or ministry. The senior minister and the leadership team is responsible before the Lord for the stewardship of that vision. Therefore, make sure everyone is praying in agreement. At this point, you can compare this situation report with the vision mission statement of the church in order to determine if you are working towards fulfilling the God given assignment for that local church. Once the assessment
is complete you have an overall view of what your current situation is
like. You will know what
areas need prayer, you will know what areas need attention for immediate
action and you will be able to prioritize your course of action needed
to fulfill the vision. Vision for City-wide Teamwork In local churches the wall of prayer is built as each family prays for two other families. In the city the wall of prayer is built as each congregation prays for two churches. By following this pattern, no one is overburdened. Every part does their share. As each congregation prays for two other congregations a wall of prayer is built by the churches around their city. As cities catch the vision there will be a centralized place in the city where in the reports will be gathered. In this place Davidic worship (prayer, praise and worship) will go up before the Lord 24 hours per day. Vision for Country-wide Teamwork The church in a region
or a nation could then do the exact same thing with each city church.
Strengths and weaknesses will be identified along with their
primary areas of ministry. As
consolidated reports came in from the various city churches then the
leadership in a region or nation would have an overall picture of what is
going on so they could seek the Lord for His strategy.
Once a strategy is ascertained, the communication system is in
place to quickly implement the Lord's strategy. Now, prayer needs are
targeted, strengths are noted and can be directed to other area churches
where they may be able to strengthen a weak part, limited resources can be
better utilized, relationships will be built and strengthened, etc..... Once a strong base of
operations is secured, then a trained, well supplied force can go forth
very effectively expanding the kingdom through intercession, evangelism
and church planting. No longer
are we on the defense responding to the devil's move but we are being
offensive and we make the enemy respond to our advances.
We take ground and keep it for the glory of our Lord. Even King David led his band of men into the wilderness (1 Sam. 22:4, 2 Sam. 5:7-9) to a stronghold and Mt. Zion is referred to as a stronghold. I believe it would be wise to look at what Mt. Zion became. David built his home in the stronghold, his army grew strong there. God honored them and blessed them and from that place they began to go forth conquering their enemies and establishing garrisons in all of Judah (2 Sam. 8). I believe that one of the primary reasons that King David's place became strong was that he established a place that where the Lord was sought 24 hours a day through prayer, praise and worship. Tim Taylor |
