I believe new models of the local church are coming; they are being teased, tested, and prototyped. Because God often deals in types and shadows, he only needs a few examples to establish the pattern on the current earth and then in the new one.
Let me share one model, though I’m sure there are others. I will start by providing a helpful infographic to summarise it. In subsequent articles, I’ll do a deeper dive based on some sections. So, stay tuned.
Christ, the King Enthroned
In this vision of the local church, Jesus is enthroned as King, and the kings willingly cast their crowns before him.
The Holy Spirit actively moves and works, and as the prophet Joel predicted, spiritual gifts become common and normal. Countries are transformed by the wisdom and power of the sons of God—mature believers formed in Christ.
In the local church, the 5-fold ministries and other spiritual gifts flourish and are honoured.
Pastoral Leadership as Family Stewardship
Pastors (spiritual mothers and fathers, male and female) function as shepherds and administrators. They do not all have to be teachers. Instead, they nurture generations and manage facilities for the common good. If one member of the family is not okay, they do not rest until they are restored. They know people by name and truly see them.
Teaching as Formation Rather Than Performance
Teachers are either homegrown or guests. The church venue is home to traveling ministers with residencies. No local minister is threatened by their wisdom and mastery. Because of teachers, people will begin the necessary work of character formation and creative faith.
Evangelism Through Digital Mission Fields
Evangelists in this generation are primarily content creators rather than crusade hosts. The church makes its multimedia equipment available to these young influencers to create material for TikTok and Instagram that leads people to Christ. The evangelists distribute AI-enabled apps that teach about Jesus and the Holy Ghost.
Healing as Process and Encounter
Like my friend and curriculum expert Praise Fowowe imagined, churches will have breakout rooms for healing ministers so people struggling with health issues and addictions go through faith clinics to build belief. Then, hands will be laid on them to receive healing and deliverance.
In the new model of the church, some worship leaders will finally be recognized as the healing ministers that they are.
Prophetic Insight for Nations and Culture
In the new model of the church, Prophets collaborate with Muses. Then they speak transformative declarations about the nation, governance and what God is doing in this season, including cultural and tech trends. They speak truth to power.
Apostolic Pioneering and Movement Building
And the Apostles? They pioneer new movements, lead people and drive initiatives with passion, sensitivity and compassion. Because they are typically itinerant, they go from place to place to usher in the Kingdom.
Most importantly, in the church there will be mutual submission and accountability across the 5-fold ministries.
Intergenerational Architecture of the Church
One more point. Churches will emphasise cross-generational relationships. Baby boomers will mentor and become sponsors. Gen X will lead movements and deploy institutional capital. Millennials will drive ventures and systems. Gen Z will develop new innovations, language and culture. Gen Alpha will feel safe and loved, and as consumers, their content will be wholesome and empowering.
Underlying this multi-generational framework will be mutual learning, respect, understanding and healing.
Revival, Timing and Divine Patience
Now here’s the kicker. Until the Holy Spirit is poured out and Jesus is recognized as King; until the 5-fold ministries and other spiritual gifts are recognized and honored; and the multi-generational family infrastructure is in place, there may be no revival. And perhaps that’s okay.
Humans think in years, Jesus has a view that spans thousands of years. It’s about time dilation and entropy differences – the gap between how humans experience time and how God governs it.
When one generation fails to achieve its mandate, he is not frustrated because his word must still come to pass. We already know prophets see visions and die without receiving what was promised. Nothing is new that hasn’t happened before.
So, if we don’t birth the new models of the church, Jesus will wait for the next generation. He will look for a few righteous crazy humans who have bizarre faith and are willing to give everything to bring his Kingdom to pass on earth.
Thank you for reading.
For more, read: The Evolving Church