Articles » Radical Church

these are due to a breakdown caused by human behavior and religious traditions.  The Bible shows us a church which is victorious and committed to carrying on the life changing message of Jesus Christ

A Called Out Community

The Greek word used for church in the New Testament is “ecclesia”, which simply means a called out assembly or group of people, not a building or organization.  This community of people has been chosen by God and called out from the world to be his people and to become a channel for his love and grace to flow to the world.  The will take place to the degree that Christians understand and commit themselves to being sanctified for the purposes of God and living differently from the world around them.   

The early apostles thought of the church as a living, growing organism, not a lifeless organization or set of traditions.  For example, the apostle Paul frequently referred to the church as the “body of Christ” – living, breathing, and functioning under his direction (see Eph. 4:12-16; I Cor. 12:12-27).  Peter described the church as God’s building of “living stones” which was called to impact the world (I Pet. 2:4-10).

Seeing God’s Hand in Church History

Just as with the nation of Israel in the Old Testament, God has chosen to work through the church, even though people often live inconsistent and sinful lives.  At the same time, God always seems to overcome these tendencies to further and complete his purposes on the earth.  

Even a quick glance at church history will demonstrate this truth.  As the living power of the church declined, men replaced it with great buildings, and elaborate systems of organization, doctrine, and tradition.  They became focused on the wrong details and weighted down with man made traditions.  At various times, the people of God would sink to practices of lying, deceit, manipulation, immorality, murder, and war “in the name of God”.

In spite of all this, after 2000 years the Christian church is still very alive, and God is continuing to accomplish his divine plans through people who are willing to obey and cooperate with him in each generation.

God’s Plan of Restoration

In Acts 3:21, Peter refers to a “period of restoration” which God himself will bring to pass as we approach the end times and the return of Christ.  In the midst of what we now call the Dark Ages, God began to find radical people who were willing to depart from tradition and return to Biblical teaching and practices.  Through the Middle Ages and then the Reformation, men and women were called out by God to restore the truth of scripture and challenge the church to a renewed faith and repentance.  Over the past several generations God has continued to restore truths which had been buried, bringing renewal and refreshment to his people.  This restoration process continues today, as the Lord continues to prepare his bride for the return of Christ.  When we realize this process is from God’s hand, we MUST question, rethink, challenge and change the status quo, based on the Word of God.  Now, more than ever, we need people with true courage and determination to forge ahead into the next generation of God’s purposes.  We must take the torch and pass it on to those who will follow after us!

We Need a Radical Church

In today’s increasingly global, secular world, we desperately need to see the emergence of a fresh, radical type of church – “radical” in the sense that it breaks with or challenges many of our traditional concepts and practices.  There is a rising tension and opposition to Biblical values and teachings in our culture, so Christians must once again rise up to face this challenge.  

God will continue to find people who are willing to lay aside tradition, out-dated methods and paradigms, and any other unnecessary “baggage” to use them in continuing this process of restoration.  As believers gain a clear apostolic and prophetic vision of God’s overall purposes, they will focus more and more on the things which truly beat in God’s heart.

Radical Personal Lives

Becoming radical must of course begin in our own personal lives.  The type of Christians who truly impact the world are those with a deep passion for God and the pursuit of his kingdom.  A true spiritual hunger with and renewed level of zeal and commitment must mark our lives.  Personal holiness must be real, and our lifestyles should accurately reflect our professions of faith.  Our focus and goals will be transformed by a deep conviction of God’s calling and purpose.

Radical Church Life

The emphasis of church life desperately needs to shift away from buildings, programs, and paid professionals.  There needs to be a renewed emphasis on the clear basics of scripture, personalized to really transform people’s lives.  Church should be simple, more like a family than an organization.  This one truth will impact our entire view and practice of church life.  We must overcome cultural trends and obstacles, and build a sense of true community between believers. Following the example of Jesus and the early church should be our primary model.

 Instead of waiting for people to “come to church”, we must GO to them!  Instead of hoping that Christians will somehow grow or be discipled through some mysterious “process of osmosis”, we must be more intentional and clear in our approach.  Concepts such as personal accountability and church discipline must also be restored to our church life as well.

Church should be where true “family” takes place – where people are nurtured, trust is built, and deep relationships are formed.  Church is where people should be trained and released to function as a “body” of believers, with Christ as the true head.  And, as we grow and mature together, we should become an “army” of spiritual soldiers who are united and determine to defeat our enemies and advance the kingdom of God.

The local church must once again be restored as the right place for ministry and leadership training to take place.  This is where people can be best formed and tested in real life situations – where character development can be correctly emphasized in addition to ministry skills.  We must also continue to develop a “team ministry” concept to leadership in our churches.  There are too many shortcomings and pitfalls to having only one person lead an entire church, or to the politics so often present in many churches.  

If Jesus were to unexpectedly visit our modern churches, he would be shocked and disheartened at what he would find in many cases.  In the same way, most of us would feel quite uncomfortable in a church in New Testament times.  This radical type of church was actually NORMAL then; today most of our churches are clearly subnormal.

Becoming World Changers

Many today speak and cry out for revival in the church, yet it seems clear that this will not take place until Christians learn that revival is not man-centered, or about us receiving more from God.  True revival involves brokenness of heart and repentance from sin.  It includes a true change of heart and direction, meaning that we understand and embrace God’s purposes and not our own.  It’s not about us “feeling better” or being “touched” by God without an essential change in the nature of our own personal discipleship or lifestyle.  Revival or renewal apart from the purposes of advancing God’s kingdom is self-centered and shallow.  

Becoming a world changer will cost you in terms of personal pleasure and independence.  Jesus himself gave very clear terms for discipleship.  He also understood that many people will not be willing, for one excuse or another, to give up their rights to their own lives, but this is what he has called us to do.  

World changers cannot allow themselves to be conformed to the world around them.  They must be clearly focused on a higher goal, willing to lay aside lesser pursuits.  True spiritual warfare involves breaking free from apathy, traditions, and a civilian lifestyle into an aggressive, determined assault on the enemy’s strongholds.  

Yes, if you choose this path, you will be called fanatical, weird or crazy.  Yes, you won’t fit in or be satisfied with most traditional churches.  Yet if your heart is given over wholly unto God and his kingdom, you will find yourself in great company with many who have blazed a trail before you.  And God will bring great grace and joy into your life in the midst of the journey.