#1. What do most modern churches look like?

Does the modern Church reflect what a New Testament Church looked like?

• First Baptist Church
• Providence Church
• Multi Campus Churches – C3 has just moved into the area
• Aspiring to have a TV ministry and 1000’s attending

Example features:

• Thousands of attendees?
• Flashy sound and light show?
• A paid staff?
• A paid preacher?
• What other features spring to mind?

#2. What do worldly organizations look like?

CEO/Chairman
-Board of Directors
–VPs
—Managers
—-Staff
–>Authority flowing down a hierarchy

Example features:

• Thousands of employees
• Flashy gimmicks to attract people
• A paid staff
• A paid figurehead
• Permanent and dedicated premises
• Always needing more growth, more revenue/income
• What other features spring to mind?

#3. Where did the New Testament Churches meet?

We know that some were able to meet in Temples, but this was because they were still attached to the Jewish religion – they were ‘hedging their bets’ and attending both:

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.
Acts 2:45–47

Great persecution, followed resulting in Christians having to meet in their homes or in caves:

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. 
Acts 8:1–3

There are other references to meetings in homes…

“When he [Peter] realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who is called Mark, where there were many people gathered in prayer ”
Acts 12:12

… including Paul sending greetings to house churches:

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house.
Romans 16:3-5

#4. Who is the Head of the Church?

Jesus Christ is the only Head of the Church

He is the head of the church, which is his body

And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. 
Ephesians 1:22–23

And he is the head of the body, the church. 
Colossians 1:18

The headquarters of Christ’s Church is where the Head is – in heaven:

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also

John 14:1–3

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 
Acts 1:9–11

In other words – there is no place in God’s plan for a Pope, President, CEO or Dictator!

#5. Who does the Bible say oversees Churches?

In Acts 20:17-35, Paul speaks directly to the elders, saying that the Holy Spirit made them overseers of the flock.
The same group are referred to, interchangeably as elders and overseers.
In Greek, elders is πρεσβυτέρους (presbyterous) and overseers is ἐπισκόπους (episkopous).

There is a consistent description of the Qualifications for Elders and we can see this in Titus 1:5-9, 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and 1 Peter 5:1-5.

Qualifications for Elders

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Titus 1:5-9

Qualifications for Overseers

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
1 Timothy 3:1-7

Shepherd the Flock of God

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 
1 Peter 5:1–5

These are the Shepherds – the ones who are overall responsible. Elders oversee the Spiritual needs of the Body.

#6. Deacon – another key role

As stated, Deacons look after the physical needs of the church.

Qualifications for Deacons

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 
1 Timothy 3:8–13.

And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 
Acts 6:1–3.

#7. Do those with Spiritual Gifts have a leadership role?

The Spiritual Gifts:

Wisdom
Knowledge
Faith
Healing
Miracles
Prophecy
Discernment of Spirits
Various kinds of Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues

1 Corinthians 12:1–11.

Prophecy
Service
Teaching
Exhortation
Giving / Generosity
Leaders
Mercy

Romans 12:3–8

Could we, for example, have a Teaching Ministry or a Healing Ministry?

If we did, who would they be accountable to?

• Our Church Body concluded that we could establish these.
• Leaders, appointed by the Elders (and approved by the Body) would be accountable to the Elders.

What other roles could exist in a Church and how would they fit in?

• Our Church Body concluded that other roles would depend on the needs of the Body.
• Leadership would typically be accountable to the Elders (though Elders could delegate as they saw fit).

Should we have paid roles?

• See below for Bible references on payment

#8. Should our work for the Lord be paid?

For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.

1 Thessalonians 2:9–10

Warning Against Idleness

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
2 Thessalonians 3:6–12

Conclusion

• Our work should not be paid – our reward is not on earth
• Our Body concluded that although this was the position of our Body, we could hire contractors to perform specific tasks
• Our Body also concluded that this was not an absolute position – Paul was expressing a strong preference not a command from God

#9. Do you have an understanding of how the New Testament Church was organized?

Based on our understanding from the Bible…

• How are we to behave toward one another?
• Do you think that mega-churches are a good idea?
• Are paid staff a good idea?
• What is a Pastor?
• Is a Pastor the same as a Preacher?
• Is Preacher a Church Leadership role?
• What are the defined Leadership roles in the Bible?
• Can we have others leading in the Church?
• How do our Spiritual Giftings fit into leadership roles?

God is in the details, and He has equipped us with so much more than we could ever know we possess. Jesus promised us:

Jesus has the heart and ability to find the least likely candidates for a baptism of love and the Holy Spirit, and just opens the windows of heaven over them. He doesn’t care how messy we are. He called Matthew and the Pharisees had a fit.

Then there was Zaccheus, then a promiscuous woman about to be stoned, and also a Samaritan adulteress… and let’s not forget the twelve, all of whom had their own issues and stuff going on.

Yet, Jesus only saw the treasure they carried. He saw the hearts of people and called them up to walk in it! Look at how He saw it in Nathanael!

Jesus calls each of us and equips us to be a solid piece of equipment for service to the Kingdom.

Today, let’s think about what He sees in each of us. What is God equipping you for? What hidden gifts are incubating inside you?

Holy Spirit Gifts

The Equipment

The Keys (Greens)

The keys represent the revelators, the equippers, the trainers, the disciplers, and the imparters that equip the body for service and reveal the secrets/revelation of the Kingdom.

Keys are used to pass the baton and guide those God is raising up, uncovering the unlimited resources available to the Kingdom. The keys unlock and disclose the road ahead. They will clear the debris of old religious mindsets, will champion truth, and will raise up the army of God.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Generosity, Helps, Interpretation, Knowledge

The Hammers (Reds)

Hammers are refitters, repairing and restoring the areas of the Church from the inside out. They challenge and confront stale forms and systems that bear no fruit.

Hammers move against cultural and religious norms and don’t belong to a particular denomination. They have the language and scope to clearly state scriptural intention, remove outdated traditions, and clear the path to unity, connection and creativity.

These people carry a deep knowledge of Kingdom infrastructure and work alongside apostles to build and grow through new strategies. They don’t fault find, but they carry a divine blueprint for how to break out of areas of stagnation.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Generosity, Administrating, Leadership, Wisdom, Apostles, Elders/Pastors, Service

Apostle (ἀπόστολος, apostolos). Someone, or something, sent. Derived from the verb “to send out” (ἀποστέλλειν, apostellein). In the New Testament, usually refers to someone sent as an authorized agent by Jesus or the Christian community (Matt 10:2; 2 Cor 8:23; Heb 3:1).

The Pens (Whites)

These equippers serve as scribes, songwriters, psalmists, authors, policy writers… those who carry the Word through their creative or administrative gift. Those who carry this gift will light up the word of God and draw the world to Jesus through their anointed words.

God will place a new song in His people, a new understanding in their hearts and the pens will bring an awareness to the new thing God is doing.

This is an historical season for the Body of Christ and God is raising up prophetic pens to be messengers in His hand and articulate His heart.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Generosity, Teaching, Evangelism, Discernment of Spirits, Apostles, Leadership

Apostle (ἀπόστολος, apostolos). Someone, or something, sent. Derived from the verb “to send out” (ἀποστέλλειν, apostellein). In the New Testament, usually refers to someone sent as an authorized agent by Jesus or the Christian community (Matt 10:2; 2 Cor 8:23; Heb 3:1).

The Bells (Oranges)

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand.

Joel 2:1

God is equipping bell ringers to call the Body to worship and prayer, but more importantly to justice and liberty. The bells ring out the sound of freedom and peace to administer truth and justice. They are truth seekers and truth speakers.

The church must pay attention to the bells as they are the ones hearing and speaking the instructions of the Spirit.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Apostles, Generosity, Faith, Service, Encouragement / Exhortation

Apostle (ἀπόστολος, apostolos). Someone, or something, sent. Derived from the verb “to send out” (ἀποστέλλειν, apostellein). In the New Testament, usually refers to someone sent as an authorized agent by Jesus or the Christian community (Matt 10:2; 2 Cor 8:23; Heb 3:1).

Timepieces (Blues)

God intended for humanity to pay attention to the times.  In King David’s day, we still knew this.  When David built his army, he specifically included such men:

The name Issachar means: there is recompense.

Timepieces see the promise on the other side of the wilderness and speak of restoration in the midst of calamity.  They are the reconcilers.

God’s timepieces are a bit different from ours… the hands on the clock go backwards and forwards in unpredictable ways. These gifted timepieces sense the changes and shifts in God’s epoch cycles and are able to predict when God is moving. Timekeepers see beyond what is currently happening and provide a roadmap through blind or unknown periods.  They connect the dots for those who are lost.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Generosity, Healing, Reconciliation, Shepherds (away from being lost), Service, Mercy, Leadership

Apostle (ἀπόστολος, apostolos). Someone, or something, sent. Derived from the verb “to send out” (ἀποστέλλειν, apostellein). In the New Testament, usually refers to someone sent as an authorized agent by Jesus or the Christian community (Matt 10:2; 2 Cor 8:23; Heb 3:1).

The Telescopes (Purples)

The telescopes are God’s prophets for the present day. Telescopes have foresight and long vision. They have the ability to foretell for the sake of warning and

guiding the Body of Christ. These eyes will be shown specific plots and plans of the enemy so they can be dismantled before they cause harm. They lead the people in praying into and breaking demonic assignments. Telescopes are able to uncover that which is hidden and are willing to say the hard things that we may not want to hear, yet need to know.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Generosity, Prophesy, Discernment of Spirits, Faith

Lightning Rods (Yellows)

Lightning Rods stay at a high altitude and perceive what others cannot. They are capable of taking a strike and recovering.  These people conduct God’s power and glory, transporting the church from one era to the next… from glory to glory.

Their role is to transfer back the power and the rights and ownership of many stolen and usurped regions. They will conduct God’s power shorting out the systems of the world and taking back territory from long standing principalities.

The lightning rods operate in gifts of healing when sickness and disease is caused by spiritual warfare. They will return authority, break legal rights and restore things back to God’s will.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Generosity, Healing, Discernment of Spirits, Wisdom

This message was developed using Nate Johnston's book The Wild Ones as a key resource. The book is available via Nate Johnston's website.

The Garden

There’s something about being close to the Lord’s heart that seems to keep at bay the taming nature of religion and all the external influences that daily try to take our wildness away.
- Nate Johnston

It all started in the garden. Can you imagine the beauty and the rugged landscape that the garden of Eden was? Eden, which means “delight,” was God’s masterpiece, His dream; man and woman were tangible poetry that He placed within it.

The garden would have been stunning, bursting with smells, tastes, and the vibrant colors of plants, trees and fruit. There would have been constant sounds of the wildlife everywhere you turned. It was the place of intimacy where God would walk in the garden with Adam and they would speak face-to-face, and this was God’s original design until man chose to eat from the wrong tree and the garden was closed off. Instantly, everything changed. The enemy had tricked man and woman, and they were suddenly aware of their sinful state, having the ability to choose life or death. Instead of face-to-face relationship with God, life became about rules and customs, sacrifices and atonements, and always reminded them that things weren’t the same and they would never measure up again. Humanity lost the garden and lost their wild.

The Three Gardens

Eden – we were cut off in the garden of ‘delight’ because we were created for us to enjoy God and God to enjoy us. We were not meant to live by rules, but in relationship to our God. (See Genesis 2:8–25.)

Gethsemane – Jesus stayed up all night praying and interceding in the Garden of Gethsemane. Gethsemane means “oil press” and represents the crushing and wounding that Christ would endure for us to be able to reconnect to Him. (See Matthew 26:36)

Garden Tomb – Return to the garden. This represents the full circle redemption plan of God to bring us back to the place where it all began, and all went wrong. The tomb was unnamed, but was owned by Joseph of Arimathea. (See Matthew 27:57-61)

You may have heard the description of the gospel as the story of a father who lost his children in the garden. So, He bankrupted Heaven to get them back. This eloquently tells us our Father’s heart, but more than that he set up something beautiful in how he orchestrated His rescue plan:

• Joseph – means ‘double’
• Arimathea – means ‘high place’
• The Father’s mission was not just to take us back to the garden but to give us ‘double for our trouble’ and for us to ascend and be with Him in heavenly places.

On the cross Jesus fixed the sin issue and the access issue, and reinstated us back where we belong – back to our roots, in Eden, with Him.

The Counterfeit

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. 
Matthew 23:13–15.

Old Covenant / Old Testament – in the absence of the Garden religion was the replacement. Religion is but a pale shadow of the real thing – a counterfeit – and it was a constant reminder to the people of Israel that they were falling way short of the mark.

New Covenant / New Testament – today we have access to the real thing, we can re-enter the garden, but we see people still acting as if they are bound. We see a church that is intent on keeping people locked in these chains of bondage – just like in Matthew 23 above.

Religion closes the gate, shuts the doors of the Kingdom of Heaven, it numbs people and blinds them to the resources and reality that they have access to.

John the Baptist was a Wild One – he paved the way for Jesus:

From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force
Matthew 11:12.

Right now we see the signs all around us that God is awakening a people who would forsake the trodden path of religion and go back to the garden, back to their origins, and back to where it all began – and dare begin the quest of the wild!

Why Go Back?

Coming back to your original design and purpose unlocks a level of creative birthing you just cannot access through religion.

• It breaks all bondage to and all agreements with the demonic or religion
• It ushers in freedom into your life you didn’t have before
• Creativity is rebirthed
• Your voice is rebirthed, and
• Your authority is activated

School of the Spirit not Man

Staying in submission to the Holy Spirit is a journey that requires constant taking stock and analysis of what we are following, feasting on, agreeing to, and with whom are running.
Jesus said it like this:

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Matthew 6:24.

Money, fame, power are what often pull people away from God.

Beware coming under man’s yoke – under ungodly authority. Brothers and sisters in Christ can be helpful mentors and Holy Spirit led teachers and evangelists, but they are no substitute for submission to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

When you trade your freedom for unhealthy alignment, it only creates disastrous fruit, and eventually you become discouraged and disillusioned regarding your call.

Protect Your Calling

Stay wild!
Protect your calling
Protect your anointing
Protect your own legacy by not allowing man to make small modifications to you that over time steal from the purity of who you are

Additional Scripture

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain. 
12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. 

Example of Hagar and Sarah

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written, 
                  “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; 
      break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! 
                  For the children of the desolate one will be more 
      than those of the one who has a husband.” 
28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. 

Galatians 4:8–31.