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
Our “Healing Rooms” (assoc. with the Healing Rooms in Spokane, WA) are in 2 small towns with a lot of rural area in between. We have formed a team made up of several people from various churches. Our team prays for people who come in for physical, emotional, and relational healing. Last night a local teacher came and asked for prayer for something going on in her workplace, so we were able to agree with this person in declaring peace and a good outcome for the school and our community. BUT when no one walks through the door for prayer, we build each other up through words from the Lord, through prayer, interceding for people one or the other in the group brings up, and then we are all strengthened and encouraged to carry the Kingdom that is in us back to our 4 or 5 local congregations and release the same power of God there. Our churches are, in a sense, mission fields for the Kingdom work that is being carried on in the bi- weekly Healing Rooms meetings. We have all grown tremendously in faith, in hearing the Voice of God, and in love. Our team members don’t want to miss the meetings! Praise God!
I have lead a micro church for 3 years. It is clearly defined. Families were brought together with young adults who were friends of each other. They wanted to prepare their young adults and launch them into life as leaders. Periods of revival have taken place from time to time. The key aspect is showing them the Kingdom of God in their lives and their families and equipping for lifestyle and pulpit ministry. It’s not a home group, because they have churches and young adult groups they go too. 60% of the group has had dramatic development in their relationship with God and a smooth on ramp to their lives, marriage, school, jobs, ministry. It works.
Thanks for that testimony, Brian!!
A couple at my congregation hosts a “Heaven’s Open Gate” worship and intercessory prayer night once a month in their home. Attendance is anywhere from five people to 20.
What is the definition of “Small”?
There are 100+ congregations in Las Vegas who make up “City Wide Unity Prayer,” which meets for intercession every Saturday morning from 8-9 a.m. at a different church. Usually the same 20-50 people attend every week. In a city of 2 million people and 1,000 congregations, it seems as though 50 people meeting weekly to intercede for the Body of Christ, the city, schools, police and fire, governments, and any other matter Holy Spirit wants prayed for each week could be considered a micro-church.
Hey Las Vegas!, we here in Tucson have something similar going… Praying for unity with many church reps, and over time now, doors are opening…. we are seeing micro church influence groups starting that reach into unique niches in our city like a local school, a few businesses, etc.. but it all needs further development, most Christians just don’t think like this or make time to be committed to a niche on the front lines of darkness, press on!
Hi my name is David. I have followed Lance for quite a number of years. I am in agreement with the 7 Mountains Mandate. I see this as a pictorial representation of the Great Commission (Matt 28:19,20) . The 7 Mountains concept brings much clarity to my assignment here on earth. I am called to the Business and Educational Mountains. I seek to educate Christian Business Owners to use their Business Platforms for the advancement of God’s Kingdom.
I am the founder of Marketplace Business Network (MBN). Our tagline is “Making Money, Making Disciples, Transforming the Marketplace”. This is a Micro Church or I would call it a Marketplace Church.
“As One” … I believe in the power of Unity. I believe the secret of Success is the word “Synergy”.
I am looking for like-minded Kingdom Believers who would join me in a Global Business that will generate wealth for Kingdom Advancement. (My challenge is to get people to take practical actions to explore with me)
Micro Church in the Business Mountain … Come Over And Help Us.
David, I would like more information on what God has put on your heart.
My information is ;
familygapministry@yahoo.com
what started with us as a life team is now by all the looks of it a mirco church we are 33 in number, started out as a food and fellowship but the Lord said there is more found out most people don’t even know their giftings, how can you fight if you don’t know your weapons, we began to give gifts test to everyone, once gifting was identified we anointed with oil and prayed over each person, then we began a series of teaching on each gift..once that was completed a chance to use everyones gift was provided,,within the team.its ok to make a mistake with those you trust! then we targeted a issue and fasted and prayed in unity on Fridays for a month the results were amazing! major breakthroughs were seen,now the Lord has had us add one evening of worship and intercession, people who had no clue as to what their assignment was now do, we are part of the local church, which we love, so we are under authority and not doing our own thing….lynn
The Lord spoke you listened and took action. Thanks for sharing!!
Wow This is great! I believe we need to do better in helping all to know and develop the unique gifts and talents given to every member of the Body of Christ for the glory of God! I believe if people answered the call to grow in what they love and are passionate about, we could change the world and no one would ever ‘backslide’
We have a group of 6 that meets weekly or semi weekly (I travel and we cannot always meet weekly) n our home. We share a meal, study, a nd pray. We are discovering our spiritual gifts and asking God to reveal our assignments as we strengthen each other and our families. Listening to your broadcasts on micro churches encouraged me to start our group.
I’m Pastor Ray and I Pastor a small Multiracial church in Olive Branch MS. Reading this really help me out on how I’ve been feeling about our church. My wife Tameral and I planted the church 6 years ago and it has been a blessing to us and he have loved every minute of it. Membership grows then it will decrease and it have really been a mental drain on me. Sometimes I feel like what am I doing wrong. I really am a Shepherd that really love the people I pastor. I’m very active in our community and school system. I struggle with, why my church is not growing. After reading this, it has really given me a different outlook. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Apostle Lance, I believe that you’re on the pulse in regards to micro church. I have, for a number of years, been involved in gathering small groups together. What began as prayer and fellowship, progressed into apostolic discipleship, Elder’s team ministry, presbytery, and a number of other ministry functions. With the exception of the past 3 1/2 years where I have worked many weekends, I have always been involved with a local church body. Even so, I’m still managing to be part of a local body.
One of the greatest discovery in all of this has been ecclesia! What a revelation this has been, especially in regards to how the Holy Spirit moves and ministers through this body. From one small ecclesia, we can see ecclesia in it’s function within other church bodies. I believe we are definitely on the right track with this. Revolutionary! Blessings!
I am a Christan Counselor, but I feel God has called me to a transition of leading a new micro church called Up With Living, based in Florida, but with congregations all over the U.S. It follows the example of the New Testament Church, coming together as one, studying the Word, praying for one another, and reaching out to help our neighbors, etc.
I have been very ill with cancer, but as I am being forced to rest, the Lord has been giving me a strong desire to do this. I will get started as soon as I am able to be up and at it.
God bless you, Lance. I listen to all your periscope broadcasts and enjoy them very much. Thank you for sharing the ideas the Lord is showing you!