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Prophesy in simple church (1) |
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Written by John White
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Saturday, 09 February 2008 |
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My friend, Paul Kaak, and I have had some on going discussions about the gift of prophecy. He is seeing some positive uses of the gift but also some misuses. The following is my response to his email. It occured to me that it might be helpful for others.
Prophesy in simple church (1) 4/2002 Dear Church,
My friend, Paul Kaak, and I have had some on going discussions about the gift of prophecy. He is seeing some positive uses of the gift but also some misuses. The following is my response to his email. It occured to me that it might be helpful for others.
John White
House Church Coach
Denver, CO.
Every Christian a church planter.
Every home/family a church.
Every church building a training center.
Paul,
I agree with your concerns about prophecy. Two thoughts about why it is often misused.
1. Our rationalistic form of Christianity has left many people starved for anything having to do with the supernatural. When they see something along this line, they tend to overreact. Kind of like kids with a new toy. (Trendy.)
2. Because prophecy is such an important gift (see 1 Cor 14:1), I suspect that the Enemy works overtime to undermine it's use. One of his best strategies is to provoke us to extremes. One extreme is to make it more important than it should be. (As you said, to do it to the exclusion of teaching the Word.) Some overreact to this abuse and decide that we shouldn't do it at all. And so on.
Re: testing. We regularly give short teachings on what prophecy is and how it is to be used. Part of this involves the role of testing or evaluating what is said. (Actually, I like "evaluating" better than "testing". It seems a little less threatening but still consistent with the Greek word.) It is as important that we learn to evaluate a prophetic word as it is that we learn how to give the word. I want to create an atmosphere where evaluation is expected and normal and not a threat to the speaker of prophecy. On the other side, I explain that mature prophetic people desire evaluation and that it's OK to not get it right all the time.
What to evaluate? My sense is that the majority of prophecy is garden variety and requires minimal evaluation. Things like "my sense is that the Lord is pleased with the way you are loving children". I don't think you have to stop and go through some kind of evaluation process on this unless someone has a "check" about it. On the other hand, anything that is directional or correctional must be handled very carefully.
How to evaluate? We use several filters. Is the word consistent with Scripture? Is it edifying (1 Cor. 14:3)? Is it timely and orderly? Does it seem right to my (our) spirit? It is as important that we practice these things as that we practice prophecy. We want to be skilled in both.
Certainly prophecy is subject to Scripture and is never meant to replace it. My encouragement it that you function as a gentle father in your group. The "children" are enthralled with the new toy. Look for what they are doing right and bless that. (As when someone does bring a teaching from the Word. Or when they someone does give an evaluation of a prophetic word.) Model the right way to do prophecy. (Share a prophetic word and invite evaluation.) Look for opportunities to bring a brief teaching on how prophecy is to be used.
One of my favorite books on this topic is "The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today" by Grudem. Parts are pretty scholarly but it is also balanced and practical.
Overall, I've come to believe that any given church is always out of sync on something. (Kind of like my family or my marriage.) It's just part of being humans. The way that I bring correction is probably as important as the content of the correction. Again, I think the model of the gentle, patient father is generally the best.
Paul, I think you are just the kind of father that your group needs. Your deep commitment to the Word is just what they need to come to. I'm sure that the Lord will give you some effective ways to gently move them towards balance.
John
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