I just reread the amazing book by Elton Trueblood, "The Incendiary Fellowship". While written in 1967, it still outlines the need for a baptism with "fire" in the church today. His point in simplicity is this...the church needs to be IGNITED again. I would recommend it as standard reading for those committed to an expression of church life that is both passionate, powerful, and focused on God's purpose.

There are some wonderful passages in the Scripture concerning this ignition. Perhaps the best is Luke 12:49; where Christ Himself states, "I came to cast fire upon the earth". I have to agree with Trueblood and say that I believe Jesus meant that He came to ignite something. Something more than an organization or enterprise; but really a movement. He called that movement "The Church".

I have mentioned on other occasions that I have the high honor of being a part of two great national movements involving pastors. One is the Network of Related Pastors (NRP) which focuses on relationship and "fathering" men and women in the ministry. The second is The Remnant Movement which focuses on integrity, character, and the restoration of credibility behind the pulpit. Both groups fit each other's purposes well and both groups give me a national breadth of awareness that is absolutely priceless.

On the same day there were two words which came forth that fit together so well that it deserves repeating (forgive my synopsis and generalization for space sake). The first report was a general observation by those qualified to report that there is a hunger in the earth for people to know and experience more of the things of the Spirit. This would include things like: The laying on of hands, deliverance, spiritual language (tongues), and the gifts of the Spirit. We seem to be on the forefront of a genuine hunger in the earth to embrace and understand these things again in the life of the church. The second report is one I have touched on numerous occasions and that is the last two decade approach of being "embarrassed" by the activity of the Holy Spirit. The overall ministerial philosophy that seeks to put anything unusual or uncontrollable in another ministry forum besides Sunday morning. The reason for this, as was taught to us, was due to the lack of credibility the next generation has seen in the lives and ministry of many full-gospel / Pentecostal pastors and leaders. The two lessons seem diametrically different, but in truth are paradoxically tied together.

It is true that the silliness of much of what we have seen in the Charismatic world has turned a generation back to its denominational safety nets. Between gross distortions of the prosperity message and the immorality of its leaders at the most visible levels, who can really blame a generation for "checking out". Who can blame the next generation pastors for putting all that stuff "in the closet and let's just focus on reaching the lost and bridging the gap through seeker-sensitive methods". If I was exposed to a constant three-ring religious circus for years, who knows where I would have landed. That doesn't make pushing the Holy Spirit away right...it just gives me a sense of empathy for those who have.

That being said, the good news is that there is a hunger for a genuine expression of the living Lord in our midst and wherever there is hunger for the Presence of God there is the possibility of renewal, revival, and awakening.

BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE AN IGNITION!

There needs to be the fire of the Holy Spirit dropped on all these hungry hearts who desire to see Him move in power. That was really the recipe for the Day of Pentecost. There were 120 hungry hearts seeking God for ignition. When the moment came, one of the accompanying signs were "cloven tongues of fire". Could that have been God's sign that He was "igniting" them for His purposes? I tend to think...yes!

I have always been committed to giving the Holy Spirit room in every service and forum we present at Legacy Church. I have always thought that I have done my best to be sensitive to His direction and desire for whatever service we were in. I really believe that we are living in days when pastors from all over the nation (including this one) are going to have to pray for even greater sensitivity and responsiveness to the moving of the Spirit. There is a window that is opening that I sense is the beginning of a mighty outpouring to ignite God's people again for the Harvest. I have no clue as to what it may look like, but I can tell that the Lord is doing something to prepare my heart and my discernment for such a moment. As you think to pray for your pastor and your church, ask the Lord to help them to recognize the moment of His manifestation and welcome it. I want the real deal this time!

Let me end with a great hymn by Trueblood himself that we can use as our prayer:

Thou, whose purpose is to kindle:

Now ignite us with Thy fire;

While the earth awaits Thy burning

With Thy passion us inspire.

Overcome our sinful calmness,

Rouse us with redemptive shame;

Baptize with Thy fiery Spirit,

Crown our lives with tongues of flame.

Thou, Who, in Thy Holy Gospel,

Wills that man should truly live:

Make us sense our share of failure,

Our tranquility forgive.

Teach us courage as we struggle

In all liberating strife;

Lift the smallness of our vision,

By Thine own abundant life.

Thou, who still a sword delivers,

Rather than a placid peace:

With Thy sharpened Word disturb us,

From complacency, release!

Save us now from satisfaction,

When we privately are free,

Yet are undisturbed in spirit,

By our brother's misery.

May it be so...

Pastor