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Revivals are often victimized and intellectually assaulted by the church of its day. Surviving this barrage, and having leadership that can responsibly weather such onslaught, is what determines how transformative and far-reaching the revival will be in its world culture.

If the arguments and complaints that come from others in the church-world proves to be minimal in slowing the advancement of a spirit-born movement, it is likely that the revival can evolve into an awakening that fully affects its era.

However, if too much friendly fire begins to prevail in usurping their heady slanders of any and all new stirrings or happenings, the revival’s chances of reforming society will greatly suffer.

You see, if a revival and its leaders are hampered by the distraction of continually having to defend and explain itself, the momentum can be slowed, the workers can get exhausted, and the overall joy or emotional fuel can be drained…thus, stifling the movements advance.

Conversely, if revivalists have been touched with fresh fire and enough purpose, they sometimes take the offensive charge, as opposed to the defensive struggles.

A revival born with a running charge is one that is willing to call out:

A. the sins and dangers of its day, as well as B. the inefficiencies and backslidings of the church itself. Either way, revival is an act of war. It is heavily attacked, forcing it to become defensive from the ire of brothers and sisters until it is mostly quenched and cornered… or, it burst forth on an offensive, advancing mission with furious, fiery, raised voice and reason-ready pleadings that cause it to plow ahead with full show of emotion and purpose. But, rarely does a revival arrive on the platonic and tentative tip-toes of apathy.

There is this modern day fear and timidity preventing many ministers from calling sin “sin.” A blow-softening approach is sought after by many so they don’t lose popularity points, or people’s affections. Yet, in Acts 4, the Apostles prayed to God for more boldness so they could continue proclaiming the truth.

Im not a watchdog, but I’m not a scaredy-cat either. If I feel God is pointing something out to me, I will give it my prayer and attention. Unfortunately, this also means I will cry out when I feel I am supposed to. Yes, I know the fury and unpopularity that naming sins will garner me…but I have a responsibility. And, I can’t cheapen my love for God, His Church, and His world by worrying over my own appeal. God told His prophet in

Jer. 1 to not worry about their faces, but to take comfort knowing God was with Him.

Displays of weak integrity always harms the body, but strong, trustworthy leadership can help navigate failures. Everyone is susceptible to sin and mistakes. However, when sin surfaces, repentance is still the cure (Acts 3:19). Open repentance models humility and humanity. Meanwhile, strong leaders are needed today as pointers to a path of greater decency (2 Tim 2:2).

Some of today’s ministry leaders are just guilty of being careless. It’s important that we think things through and make our statements clearly and confidently. The psalmist said in Psa 119:11 “Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.”

The world will always try to trip up godly leaders with pointed questions. They did it to Jesus and they’re still doing it today. Lauren Daigle faced it after being on the Ellen show. Carl Lentz faced it in the aftermath of New York’s abortion bill. And, don’t forget Joel Houston who tweeted “evolution is undeniable.” Later, Houston tried to reel in that statement and make more sense of it, but the initial damage was done. As for Daigle, she seems to still be trying to figure out where she stands concerning whether or not homosexuality is a sin. For now, it seems she’s willing to err on the side of being friendly, rather than holy. Lentz followed his poor showing on a television program that cornered him on his abortion beliefs with an online written statement that clarified his church’s stance on the issue. It’s hard on young leaders, especially when the world tries so hard to cause them to fumble.

Nevertheless, I feel God urging me to encourage folks to understand that being righteous is much more important than being cool.

1 Cor 16:13 “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

Instead of trying so hard to be hip and popular, we need men and women who consistently serve as humble and loving.

Unfortunately, today’s preachers and Christian leaders often lack backbone in the moment and cave to fleeting pressure.

James 1:8 “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

At what point do we break in our hearts? When will we be healed of our dry eyes? Where are our tears?

Revival and repentance must come. We are in great need.

My goal is not to be another angry, old-fashioned, religious rule-keeper. Rather, as a weeping intercessor, I pray for us all as we live in a generation that has embraced backslidden Christianity.  

The error and danger of the Apostolic office is that of becoming a pope. The person doesn’t actually, officially become pope. But, the elevated position, with other ministers and ministries under the umbrella of the Apostle’s oversight, lend to the lure of a pope-like persona. No person needs to be an elite, elevated, kiss-my-ring, head-of-everything. So, an Apostle can be susceptible to pride, arrogance, and control.

The error and danger of the Prophet’s office is that of becoming a lone wolf. These individuals are often naturally inclined to be a separated person because they have always been different. They sometimes struggle to fit in. They are used to not being understood. They tend to feel out-of-place.

Accordingly, a Prophet is susceptible to loneliness, and depression.

The error and danger of the Evangelist’s office, as listed in Eph. 4:11, is entanglements from the world. The Evangelist is called to go to the world, therefore s/he is often in or around the sin fields and contaminated zones. Hence, the Evangelist is sometimes face-to-face with temptations, weariness, and even the risks of public failure. These guys and gals are on the frontlines of spiritual warfare. The enemy fights over souls. Soul-winners get attacked.

The error and danger of the Pastor office, as listed in Eph. 4:11, is jealousy and competition. Pastors feel a challenge to build, increase, expand a flock. Thus, the Pastor is susceptible to stress, offense, trust issues, and heartache. Pastors often succumb to being jealous of the anointing that comes on other ministers in the house. And, Pastors are frequently challenged with feelings of competition toward other Pastors or churches. It’s an awful feeling when a sheep wanders away to another field looking for greener grass. Being a good Pastor requires this sweet leader to have toughness, wisdom, and maturity.

The error and danger of the Teacher office, as is highlighted in Eph 4:11, is there is a tendency for folks who operate from this gift to develop a know-it-all attitude. There is a tree that offers luring fruit, promising an increase in exalted knowledge. Accordingly, the teacher is susceptible of becoming an argumentative individual. Also a teacher must be careful to not be more focused on knowing and learning than they are in experiencing.

One challenge facing spiritual fathers is the fact they’ve been there and done that. They’re not easily impressed, which is an okay thing. But, it’s a little harder for them to receive a word from someone else because they have already personally accumulated copious amounts of knowledge and experience. They’ve been places, seen things, done stuff, read a lot, and heard so many intelligent talks and interesting stories. Fathers and mothers are mature, which is great. Nevertheless, they must allow Holy Spirit to keep their hearts humble, excited, childlike.

A couple of the challenges facing younger ministers (and believers) are: 1. anxious ambition and 2. ignorance.

Few people read or write on being an excellent son or daughter. Being an excellent son or daughter isn’t studied or focused on enough. Older folks are typically more into the idea of fathering and leading. Besides, they wouldn’t want to come across as egotistical or self-serving by talking about the need for betterment amongst the underlings.

And, younger folks are more focused on becoming, achieving, accomplishing, progressing, graduating. Basically, they’re working on surviving and arriving.

Hence, the young (new) minister or believer is enthralled with the idea of having a title. Plus, they tend to self-promote because… well, they’re working hard. Their selfies and social media accounts tout their worthiness.

Many of these young bloods want to be an Apostle, or Prophet; the trendy esteemed titles. Simply, they want to be seen and esteemed, heard and validated. It’s not always an easy, fun season of life. So, please don’t think this is meant to demean or judge those that are pushing through this time of their life, as they labor to figure everything out.

They sometimes lack in patience. They have mouths and floppy things on the sides of their head, but leaders (like Jesus) will want to find someone among them that has… ears to hear.

Unfortunately, they are rarely fascinated or satisfied with simple. Thus, they tend to complicate matters by thinking they should add some bright and shiny stuff, technical stuff, and entertainment type of stuff.

Meanwhile, there is a promise that God is going to turn the hearts of the fathers and sons toward each other. The Spirit is now working to help us figure all this out and step into an incredible blessing. What a glorious time.

There are many in this generation that have been attacked by the enemy. There are those who have been fooled and deceived concerning their God-given identities. Some have been led to believe they are gay. Some have been tricked into thinking they were assigned the wrong gender. Some have been so victimized by addiction that their original, innocent identity seems forever lost. Others have been abused, abducted, or trafficked and their identities have been stolen. In each of these cases, the Lord says their God-given identities have fallen asleep. It’s like they are now dead, dry bones…with no more true life or identity.

Nevertheless, God is ready to raise these bones. The wind of prophecy, life, and hope is coming like unclaimed promises from the many generations before today’s. Although they may be something akin to walking zombies with only a hint of who they were born to be, these fossils are fixing to encounter a quickening. God is going to rediscover them and overwhelm these lost ones with the power of His love until it overrides all the lies of their deceiver. Identities will be redeemed and these that have been thought of as lost causes by some will arise with callings and holy purposes.

They will march. They will swim. They will move forward with fire and determination.

I see dead people… coming back to life. They are the bones that God is going to revive and raise up from the dry, no hope valleys.

So, let the winds begin to blow. Heaven is ready to howl out new breath.