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
Thanks God For the Vision For the times we aré living .These confirms the revival that is coming and I’m ready to start and break down in groups Micro Church. I will share the Vision. I’m a Missionary from Colombia in Michigan USA.
In Christ,
Micro Church is what we have been participating in for the past 3 years but didn’t have a name for it! When I heard your message on this a few months ago I was intrigued. I ordered the Killer Sheep message and totally identify! The one point I have to disagree with is that a micro church is part of a larger “church” body. 4 of us left our local church 3 years ago and it was a sovereign move of God for us. I know, sounds strange and rebellious but I assure you it was anything BUT rebellious! In the area we live in, church really isn’t what it should be and I’m a 30 plus year veteran of church. We knew God was up to something new and unusual and He has confirmed it over and over. We meet weekly (we are also part of a home group but that’s something different) and position ourselves to hear and see what our Father is doing as Jesus did. We minister to Him as kings and priests in the heavenly realm and know that this is our calling and ministry. Not quite the same as an intercessory group either; totally unique to us and led by Holy Spirit. We used to be a strong intercessory prayer group but several years ago received a word that what we were doing wasn’t going to work anymore. We had no idea what that meant but we have certainly found out! The micro church description in this post fits us perfectly!
Fellow Periscopians and I have formed a Micro Church that meets monthly for the sole purpose of Prayer for our Nation. Since we all listen to your broadcasts we are on the same page and quickly and easily pray “as One”!
I urge others to link up and pray!
Fantastic, Sarah!! That is encouraging to hear.
Your words really touched me. I didn’t realize what God was doing until I heard your message. I heard an audible voice in March, “you’re going to criss-cross this country bringing the blood covenant”. Immediately after this, God opened doors for me to share my testimony along with a teaching on the deep meaning of the covenant steps. In 2003-04 I was delivered from legalism after reading a book on the blood covenant. My paradigm was completely shifted to see God in a whole new way. I already had several ladies who I met with to intercede with on a regular basis. Most of my sharing has been with individuals and small groups. Only twice have I been able to share it in churches, and never in my own fellowship. I have seen tears on people’s face as they realize God’s covenant love and their identity in Jesus. There have been a very few who didn’t seem to see the revelation, because of their religious indoctrination. I also do street evangelizing on occasion and God has brought women into my life to pray and intercede with me for these outreaches. God is moving, and it seems he is doing something in lay people. Even though I told my pastor about what God told me, he has not asked to hear the message. But I press forward to do what God has called me to do. Also, the word I heard from God resulted in me traveling to Florida, Washington State, New York City and Phoenix & Tucson Arizona. I’ve been a homebody for years, so all this came as a big surprise to me. I praise almighty God for what He is doing. I’ve had several dreams about the body of Christ and what you’re saying here is right on with my dreams. God bless you.
I forgot to mention that it was March of 2015 when I heard the audible voice.
‘Been meeting with a “group” of about 8 of us for 2 1/2 years – that seems to fit your description of a micro-church. While we have had various assignments we are now moving together to do intercessory round tables throughout our state to unite them as one voice in prayer focus. (How can you win a war if you don’t gather the army!) We have been praying over the city/state and seeing the fruit of our consistency. Many of us attend other churches but have been faithful to meet sometimes weekly, bi-weekly or bi-monthly on occasion to focus on the mission. We are committed to the cause of our Kingdom assignment and understand a lot is at stake. Thanks for defining us.
My neighbors down the road are starting up a prayer group to specifically pray for our neighborhood, my question is, is that a micro church?
Amazingly, I have been part of just such a group of ladies for a little over three (3) years [although, they had convened approximately a year-and-a-half before that], primarily, because there is not a congregation in our remote area that is pursuing what Father had put in our hearts to desire…we have shared some quite traumatic life-altering events and are coming out victorious and confident in our Lord! Besides prayer and fellowship, we have ravenously partaken of the banqueting table of teachings and revelations Father has provided through teachers, prophets, and apostles, via books, media, conventions, etc. The distinctions of the “micro-church” as you describe them are exactly what Father has been birthing in us over the course of the last year, and we are feeling the call to step into even newer “unknowns” this year…hallelujah!! Thank you for your timely exhortation!
We have a micro church network in Lititz/Lancaster PA. We have seen so many healings, and miracles – salvations and been able to reach into the community and help feed the homeless, and then actually plant a micro church in that community. We truly believe in the micro church and have had one for over 7 years. We teach and train how to share the gospel and pray for others, we pray for each other, we worship at a deeper level, and study the word together. LoveLoveLove the micro church!
We also have a ministry that is multiplying that prays and serves the communiy
Sir Wallnau…
Just blown away by this post because God was showing me this concept a few months ago but I didn’t fully understand it, until I read your post.
The arts and entertainment mountain is where I am called and I have identified other Christians who are serving on this mountain and definitely feel as though there will be a community of us that will unite in prayer, in community and a meeting place for those who are well known and have perhaps been too hurt by the church to attend regular services but still want to know Jesus…my heart is bursting just thinking about it…not a big group, but a powerful group called to love on some very talented but lonely and misunderstood individuals.
Trusting God to connect me with such people.
HUUUUGE THANK YOU FOR THIS POST…such confirmation?
Love it!
I think we have grasped this concept well. As I write this I am about I am about to host a small group of men and women at our company in a “church” we literally planted at the company I work for. We come together, have praise and worship, a short message, and then spend time in prayer for each other and the company.
The goal is to lift each other and the company up, and train them to reach their departments and the factory floor with the Gospel. As we have done this the owner has watched the company be blessed and grow and has become a believer himself.