3 Key Characteristics Of A Micro-Church
One of the most exciting revelations that I received from the Lord this year is the concept of micro-churches. The era of megachurch is the phenomena that we’ve looked at for the last decade. Yet, the Lord said, “Small is the new big.” Just like David slew the giant, God is going to raise up small micro-groups of people who are going to do big damage to the enemy this year.
A micro-church is what Daniel had in Babylon. No matter how dark our world becomes—even if it reaches the level of sin as in the days of Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar—those with the Daniel anointing will rise to lead. The Bible says that when Nebuchadnezzar had his dream, Daniel had to reach into the supernatural dream interpreting power of God.
In Daniel 2:17, Daniel went to his house and made the situation known to his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah. He encouraged them to desire mercies of the God of heaven—that the meaning of the dream would be revealed. Later, the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. God gave him Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and a download of what was going to happen in Babylon. As a result, Daniel was appointed by the king to rule over the province. When Daniel was promoted, he promoted his friends.
As I reflected on this story, I said to the Lord, “So this is a vision of a house church.” The Lord said, “No, not a house church. A house church doesn’t have a common work assignment.”
So what the are the characteristics of a micro-church?
- Common assignment. A micro-church is when you come together with those who share the same calling and faith. A house church is different. There is no common assignment in a house church other than fellowship and mutual edification. A micro-church has a kingdom agenda, a shared assignment that brings them together.
- Small in size. I asked the Lord for another reference, and He took me to Peter's arrest in Acts 12. There again, when Peter gets supernaturally delivered he went to the one location that made sense—the house of Mary the mother of John. When he arrived he discovered many gathered together in prayer for him (Acts 12:12). It was a house filled with intercessors. A micro-church is a praying company with a common assignment. This is a group small enough to fit into a first century house.
- A company of people connected to your assignment. Daniel's friends all shared the assignment of Government, but Peter’s group was different. They were a company connected to the Apostolic assignment of the twelve disciples. Therefore, even if the members do not share directly in your assignment, they may be connected to you as family and close friends. The key is that they are affected by what happens to you in the warfare of your assignment. This group could include your spouse, your closest friends, your children. Proximity is critical. Gathering together is a core principle.
Micro-church is the natural extension of any strong local or apostolic church. Not everyone has an assignment to go up against the gates of hell in the various mountains. Those who have been given this call need to be involved not only in the give and take of community life in a local church, but in a micro-church as well. You need to have a small company of people, who are holding up your arms and standing with you in the assignment God gave you. And you need to be standing with someone else in the battle they face. Until the local church establishes micro-churches in proximity to the gates of influence we are not yet an Apostolic church at the end of the age.
If this applies to you, I pray that this year you discover the power of a small committed company of like-minded warriors in your mountain. If you are on a college campus or in the military or traveling more than 100 days a year with your business you should answer the call of God to START your own MICRO-CHURCH!
Question: Are you already blessed by such a community? Comment below and share your experience!
As One!
Lance
Couldn’t find in Destin 4 yrs solo and without church. One year here. No church.
The Lord led me to start a prayer group at My Home . I asked the Lord to just bring the ones he wanted For prayer and intercession . Three women have joined me and we meet weekly and pray as the Lord leads us .
Blessings on your group, Ellen!
Thank you. We are seeing answers to prayer.
Praise the God of our salvation. I’ve been following you with this Micro Church vision every since you began. This is definitely where we are as a church. Now it’s been asked of me by the people in Southern Md. and in Glenn Burnie Md. To start a church in the one location and Pastor in the other.
This is a powerful vision. Thank You Dr. Wallnau.
Thank you, James, for staying in touch! Wisdom and discernment on your future plans!
Gail, praying you are led to the people God has for you in this season. Keep your eyes open and keep seeking Him for it!! Perhaps you are meant to start a group with other believers? Pray into it.
Are you still in Destin? I have family there. They are lovers of Jesus.
Never heard God call it a micro church, personally or via prophecy. But our ministry is in our home and we do much more than gather for fellowship. We are Kingdom minded and desire to see New Covenant Life better established.
God has been revealing such a group for me. We started as a prophetic intercession group, working in a yearly worship conference (I am the leader). We didn’t have aspirations as a formal ministry, but the Lord is revealing new vision, new purpose, new assignments for this group. Your description looks EXACTLY what the Lord is releasing. Thanks!
Wow, that’s amazing! Thanks, Denise!
Hi Lance,
It’s good to hear the wonderful works of God! And my heart agrees with the special teams (micro churches) but, my challenge is finding like minded believers. With your renown in this revelation have you had a chance to build a database of believers that we could connect with? Also I know a lot of us have been put aside while some things have to develop. To put it another way, our opportunity to get out and connect with the church is non-to-nil as we have loved ones that require our full attention 24/7. So running the streets to have a divine appointment with another is limited.
With Google hangouts and FaceTime we could become those teams even though proximity is challenged for now. I’d gladly offer to help put a master planned community into place for others to start connecting and hearing about the wonderful works of God which as you already know will build the believing like no other time in history. This can begin to happen globaly and give hope by starting the conversation.
Great news Ellen!
I like this amen
Prayer group ..
Thank you for this word. I have attended several meetings where you were one of the speakers and have always really enjoyed you and purchased everything you had for sale. In 1985, the Holy Spirit spoke to me to start a church. We started in our home and He gave me a vision and goals for the church and we grew. He told me that we were a territorial governing church( at that time I didn’t know what it meant) and an interceding church for the world.We built a church and have under 100 members. I attended a pastors conference in the 80,s and Rick—-was one of the speakers. He told the pastors, if you have a small church, shut it down and join a larger church. The Holy Spirit spoke to me that he was wrong and not to listen to him. Also, the Holy Spirit said, “If God told you to start a church then your church has a purpose for existence and do not listen to man.” Since then, God has called me as an apostle and has sent my wife and me to 78 countries and have taken 27 groups to Israel to pull down strongholds and to release His will for that nation. We have seen some great signs and miracles. Your word about a micro-church has brought a great peace to me because the enemy has fought me with the words from Rick. Thanks
Thank you for sharing your story, Kenneth! I appreciate your support and encouragement over the years. Be blessed as you continue to follow the Lord’s voice and calling for your life and ministry!!
I live and work in Mexico. I have been ministering and teaching in a small church there for about 15 years. Two women in the church and their families and I could be called what you are talking about in this micro church. They are the backbone of the whole church there but we know how to get God to move for us. I pray for them whenever they ask. The Lord has healed them time after time be it cancer of the uterus, dengue morajica (which is mosquito born like malaria but you bleed to death internally), kidney problems, diabetes. and many more things for them and others. They helped pray me through an accident that almost killed me when I broke almost 20 ribs. We have visited their sick neighbors and seen the Lord heal them and then they accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. We have seen the Lord move in miracles for us and those that we pray for. One of my favorite sayings is “You have not because you ask not.” We have to ask to give the Lord the right to move in our behalf. You might complain Lord you know what I need and you know the problems and the sickness that I am suffering with. You are right He does know. But he has no legal right too help you until you ask Him to help. God is not a man that he should lie. Trust God to do what He says in His Word and He will if you ask Him to in Jesus Name. God Bless.
The Lord desired me to have a home group 7 years ago meeting weekly. we consist of like minded prophetic intercessors of a group of 4 women following the leading of the Lord. Recently HE brought 3 more women into our fold.
Fantastic!!
Yes, I love the confirmation that this is what God is doing. Myself and two other psychotherapists who are trained in SOZO
are wanting to start a wellness center that includes any number of modalities that treat the whole person. We gather often and just listen to what the Spirit is saying….very exciting.
Hi yes to that! IMy vision is to start a wellness center, offering prayer, councelling, Bible study, and deliverance, inner healing! and Spa amenities- facials massage, health /nutrition fitness. I am an Intercessor meeting by phone every evening with several people, open conference line for anyone to pray and we offer prayer..to pray for Israel, our country, our communities, homes..churches, missionaries and now especially the persecuted Church! Glory to God! .. I would love to pray w and for your endeavor and to encourage ea other! Prayerwatch 9-10pm est 605 562-3140 access code783999# Bobbie
@Beth Sturges, where are you? I have a similar vision.
I live in St Louis MO and the Lord has put it on my heart that he wants a Bethel in St Louis 24 hours of prayer I have put it on Facebook and people will respond that it’s a good idea but know one will commit
Don’t give up
Steven–good advice from Ruth on here. Don’t give up! Start small if needed. Begin to host prayer gatherings in your home or elsewhere…keep sharing the vision and passion that the Lord has given you. Do what you can now!