Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy - Prophetic Gifts Today In The New Testament Church

When Bishops Replace Prophets

rience within? Inevitably, it seems, the organized Church gravitates toward spiritual deterioration like a moth drawn to a flame.

The Cycle of Deterioration

The study of the sociological cycle of church development is not a new endeavor, as Elmer L. Towns pointed out: "Ernst Troeltsch, a German theologian and philosopher, described the social forces of the sect-denom inational paradigm over 150 years ago. 9 He indicated that sectarian churches grew into denominational churches, then deteriorated. He has been called the Grandfather of Sociology because of his observation and classification of the factors and dynamics that make up the outward insti tution of the Church." 10 Towns, along with C.Peter Wagner, focusedon the "postdenominational" church as the successful model in Christendom today.Since then Wagner has renamed this religious phenomenon "The New Apostolic Churches" and edited a book by that name featuring articles by eighteen leaders of such churches. 11 This model promotes apostolic-style leadership, weekly revival, spiritual gifts, indigenous independence (yet fellowship with other churches) and, rather than theological distinctives, an application of biblical principles to culture. 12 Wagner says, "I am sure we are seeing before our very eyes the most radical change in the way of doing church since the Protestant Refor mation....In virtually every region of the world, these new apostolic churches constitute the fastest-growing segment of Christianity." 1 3 It seems once again that the cycle of deterioration has run its course and we are seeing the broadest, most far-reaching reaction against the institu tionalized Church since the Reformation.Many if not most of these "new apostolic churches" believe in present-day prophecy, which further testifies to my thesis that contemporary prophecy is a vital force in church renewal. Based on the style used by Towns in diagramming his concepts, I have concocted my own four-stage illustration of "The Cycle of Deterioration" that takes place in a religious movement or church. (Shown on the fol lowing page.) Let's look at each of the four stages in this cycle. 1. An aggressive sect. The original leader or founder displays a rigid single-mindedness.He and the people are on a mission for God, reflected in their sacrificial service to the church.This is a period of revelation and inspiration.The first generation always displays exuberance and vitality. Prophetic leaders give birth to new churches as the contemporary Church lies in spiritual stagnation. Leaders of the new movement want to right the wrongs, purify the believers and release the true Church to fulfill her 247.