THE NEW GREAT AWAKENING
For several years the Lord has inspired me with an interest in pulling three things together to grow the Kingdom of God: 1) deep discipleship worship, 2) focus on the persecuted church around the world, and 3) spark a spiritual awakening in America. Then I heard about Secret Church even as I began to plan something similar I call CityPointe Worship. I believe that God is up to something transformational when he inspires Christian leaders from various places with a similar idea that makes or grows disciples.
God is up to something transformational when he inspires Christian leaders from various places with a similar idea that makes or grows disciples.
I had the opportunity to attend a Secret Church event held at a Pentecostal church close to where I live called Mt. Paran North where Mark L. Walker, Ph.D. serves as Senior Pastor. The event began promptly at 6:00 PM with prayer and praise music. By 6:15 PM Pastor Walker began teaching “A Survey of the New Testament” and for the next six hours 500 people on a Friday evening listened to every word and filled in the blanks of their study guide. There were of course short breaks but without food or snacks. The point was to get to the restroom, grab a bottle of water, and return to your seat as soon a possible so as not to miss anything.
A FOCUS ON THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
The backdrop that provided such motivation to study the Bible at this event was a focus on the persecuted church around the world. During one of the “breaks” a pastor from China spoke of his life and work. His work as a pastor is unimaginable to most pastors in the west. On a typical Sunday, Pastor Jon (not his real name) leaves home at 6:00 AM to lead worship at three different locations through the day. Each church meets in a basement or other crude building that will accommodate from 20 to 40 people. He said that they often have to relocate every three weeks to avoid communist government authorities. It is difficult to remain secret once they grow to 40 or more so they have to split and replicate. (Sounds like what happened in the early church as recoreded in Acts.) If discovered, the government will arrest and often torture the pastors for their activity of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Government officials intimidate and scatter Christians who worship together secretly. The Chinese government will often demolish a building used for secret church services. The photo above is of a building that was being used by an underground church. For this reason, churches seldom sing songs or use musical instruments so as to avoid attention. If he is discovered by the government in China, he may be tortured and killed and his wife and children also persecuted simply because they worship Jesus Christ. By the time Pastor Jon arrives back home it is 11:00 PM.
PURE WORSHIP
The stories of Pastor Jon’s life and ministry are compelling. The underground churches are not consumer-driven, nor do they struggle through worship wars involving conflicting styles of music. Instead, they have come to understand “pure worship” through studying the Bible, a sermon from their pastor, life testimonies from the people, and earnest prayer. I found that what we experienced in Secret Church was an effort at “pure worship.”
Is your church consumer-driven or disciple-making driven?
It certainly was not an austere experience like that of the Chinese, but it was without much of the “fluff” characterized by many churches in the U.S. on an average Sunday. At the very least Secret Church was a deep discipleship worship experience. If given the opportunity to participate in a Secret Church service whether in a small group, home church, or traditional church setting, …do it…for the time is near!
BENEFITS OF A SECRET CHURCH OR SIMILAR EVENT
- Gets people into reading and studying the Bible.
- The host church becomes a center of Bible teaching in the community.
- Evangelism…it will win some to Christ.
- It will get the people busy inviting others to attend since it is something new.
- It deepens the spiritual faith of the people.
- It deepens the spiritual roots of the people so they are firmly planted.
- It leads people to pray for the persecuted church around the world.
- It leads people to appreciate their freedom to worship.
- It may lead to a greater commitment of the people.
- God may use Secret Church and other discipleship worship events to spark a new Great Awakening.
You should consider hosting a Secret Church meeting at your church or in some home settings to spark revival.
SD Blessings,
Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist
QUESTIONS:
1. What obstacle would you face by hosting a Secret Church event?
2. How could God bring revival to your community using Secret Church?
3. Would you describe your church as consumer-driven or disciple-making driven?
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Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
Author “Simple Discipleship,” contributing writer L2L Blogazine
He is a pastor, an author, professional coach, and leadership specialist
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