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
Yes! I found an answer to prayer 2 years ago when I was desperate for better health and restored income. The people I have been connected with since are included in that answer to prayer beyond my imagination. They had the product and the workplace that I never imagined. But the kind of church dynamics I encounter blow me away on an ongoing basis!
The primary task is to edify each other and work together because we have such good news for health and prosperity according to 3 John 2 that I always had been puzzled about! Best friends in the small traditional church and family don’t easily hear about it, because it takes childlike faith to want to hear unusual news. It also takes childlike skills to carry them, lol. I have a history of growing up as a missionary kid, bible school and physiotherapy diploma. Marriage, children, missionary, pastors wife and currently part of a church leader team. But the kind of active and interactive fellowship I encounter in this company brings me to tears in unexpected moments like no other previous experience! You are right on, Lance! This micro church has no color, form, fragrance, touch, goals and visions that I ever remotely experienced before. This company may still be hidden to some, but it’a gaining momentum just by the fact it’s my refreshed calling I’m dedicated to. God clearly spoke to me on the third day of being introduced that an MK can be successful in business. And here I am! Doing it, roaring, smiling, more alive and well than ever as a 60 year old. His kingdom filling me with fire from above and rooted in water from below. Welcome heaven on earth. Shalom!
Hi Christa….I’m curious as to what your product is as I’m having some health issues. ☺
I have to add, our meetings seem to be in official and not about the kingdom. But the way the operations work is nothing but kingdom. You will not succeed unless you apply kingdom principles in very distinct micro applications. Few will be able to read this and imagine it! Hunger for more, ask, seek and knock with patiently burning desire and uncompromised full satellite receptivity for access to what you respect. You will find answers or the open door you did not imagine. Shalom!
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Yes, I have a micro church! We sort of hop, if you will, from mountain to mountain , depending on where one of us feels called. When one goes, we all go! It’s so fun because we’re not all called to the same thing, so we get a broader picture of how God is moving and we’re involved in things we never would have been without each other. In this way too, we’re able to be connectors in our city and sometimes beyond. All it takes is a text from one of us to say, “I need my people” and we’re there! We accomplish so much together through covenant and intentionality.
“As the new wine is found in the cluster, and they say, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it,’ so I will do for my servants’ sake, and not destroy them all. I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and from Judah possessors of my mountains, my chosen shall possess it…” (Is 65:8-9)
We want to be the cluster!
I think this is an important development of a structure God has used for missions throughout history, adapted for today’s reality. God has often used task-oriented groups to extend his kingdom beyond the boundaries of the local church. Earlier examples such as monastic movements, missions agencies, etc. tended to have a geographic focus, but in light of the “shrinking” of today’s world due to the ease of communication and travel, the focus on spheres of influence and authority, or “cultural geography,” vs. physical geography, is appropriate and important.
Adjacent to our main church is a World Prayer center which has regular meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I have never known exactly what to call these meets, except “Fan the Flame”. You have describe our groups that meet there perfectly. We assemble from a variety of local churches but with the same mind and heart. The flow of this Microcosm is powerful, even more so than regular church. Most of us live for Tuesday and Thursday.
Fantastic!!
5 Years ago we started a Apostolic Movement called Revival International out of Four Square Church with their blessing.
Today we have 8 micro churches in the U.S., 7 in Honduras, 1 in Brazil, 1 in Bolivia, 1 in Nigeria and 1 in India. We disciple, empower and launch. This keeps us multiplying but in smaller groups.
Refreshing to hear your words.
Be blessed Lance.
Yes! This is so right on! I KNOW that this is happening all over the N.A. continent! There are forerunners who are moving into this next “phase” of coming out of the “harlot” and into righteous alignment with His Word and His Ways! Hallelu YaH! I am also seeing how these small groups are connecting. It will be a strong “net” which will be prepared for the great harvest which is ready! Amen!
Amen, Donna!!
We are developing. A sense of community is a precious thing.
This is the revelation I am also getting for this season – and God is providing the few and strategic ones that I am to stand with. As a ‘special forces’ type worship warrior whom God gives assignments and strategies on the land – it is no longer a time when only one or possibly two other ‘lively stones’ joined with me can pray into and accomplish the missions we have been assigned. And the church at large does not have the ‘assignments’, strategies or revelation to stand with those who do. A micro-church can guard its gates against those with agendas other than God’s, fully come into agreement in prayer if all are invested in the same outcome – – and see the power of God manifested in victory! Awesome revelation for this time!