I am just getting back from another trip to Nigeria in West Africa. I am not going to make this blog about typical mission’s report because I don’t do typical missions when I go overseas. I go to equip and train leaders. I go to give leaders council about critical situations going on in ministry and the nation. I release kingdom dynamics through apostolic and father graces.
The nations of the world are no different than America even though their cultures are different. The same problems exist in different levels and degrees. Some are masked and packaged differently. Some are at extremes that make them easy to see while others are deeply hidden. But when it is all done there is a root problem, a root demonic force is activity, that is crushing against humanity.
As I have now done over 24 trips into the nation over 20+ years I have seen a metamorphous take place. I must say in many ways the Nigeria church that I first saw with great faith and miracles has been diminished and discouraged by the new standards of the measurement of success that has come from the west. The same problems we face as kingdom people they face as well. The true Kingdom is in smaller places as they hold the greater revelation. As I do each time coming from a trip, I contemplate the comparisons both good and bad. Here are some of them.
In Nigeria there are new problems that exist. Problems created by seeker friendly prosperity driven ministries. These ministries I am ashamed to say patterned themselves after what they saw in the America church and specifically as defining success. Large ministries, large crowds and lots of entertainment driven programs. These have become the pinnacle of arriving at the top. The prosperity gospel and seeker friendly approach have created places of a powerless church. Some large churches do multiple offerings. Offerings for health, husbands’ health, children’s health, prosperity in business, prosperity in life, and on and on, all in one service. People are desperate as they suffer in poverty, they are reaching out to anything that appears could help, even if it is has twisted the word of God. The people are in poverty as leaders are prospering. Forms of religion but denying the power.
The embrace of the kingdom of God is present and operational but not widespread but growing. Apostles and prophets are in place but there are excesses like in America. Many claim apostleship and to be prophets but actions are contrary to the word of God and the grace needed is not there. Currently there is a movement unfolding on university campuses. Students and young adults claiming to be apostles and gaining following through all kinds of means including voodoo. Voodoo is also being practiced by scammers into America, and by boys desiring sex with girls. The witchcraft in America is subtle but still here, just disguised in other forms of manipulation. Any form of manipulation is a form of witchcraft.
The false positioning of leaders has made them take on titles to hold, without the grace that comes with it to release. Like the American church everyone desires a title to be affirmed and feel important. Most do not go through the process of suffering and development. A real doctrine understanding of Biblical government is needed and a house cleaning of true from false is needed. Sounds like America. The Kingdom churches that are in place are healthy and stable. The excesses are the fringe churches and even large networks of churches.
Since 85% of current church structure worldwide is made up of less than 80 people, the real barometer to look at is these smaller churches more so than the less than 3% of mega churches and 5-8% of medium churches. The same holds true in Nigeria and other nations as America. Senior leaders of larger churches have no need of the fivefold graces available and have done building by charisma, good administration and possible compromising to be relevant. Their programs and technics have brought them accomplishment. The smaller churches are willing to embrace the Ephesians 4 graces, and the impact when they do is very high in spiritual growth and kingdom vitality. The bulk of the work needing to be done is the investing into the hearts of the leaders of these kingdom expressions. They are open, teachable, honoring and willing to steward the church properly in biblical alignment. We are to advance the kingdom as God builds His church. As God builds the ecclesia, we then have the rulership of the kingdom. If we are building a church, then we for the most part we are building our ministry or our own kingdom at times. Steward the church – build the kingdom.
As I have travelled all these years I have invested in the leaders of ministries as it will affect a multitude under them. Let’s say a conference of 300 leaders who each have 80 members is an influence on 24,000 people! That influence is more than most mega churches. This is why I do leadership training. These leaders are highly appreciative of the sacrifice in going and giving of yourself. If you are a gifted teacher, I encourage to consider how you can invest into these leaders. I find it very rewarding each time I go that I know there is a lasting and eternal impact.
The people of Nigeria have a deeper joy than the church in the west. Their joy is deeper because it is based on faith in Christ, and not over how circumstances are around them. They can be living under great distress and an unknown future, yet they are resolute when it comes to life and expressive of heart when it comes to worship. Something the America church could really learn from. These types of things always make it hard to come home, as they are pieces of authentic faith. These people are experiencing real life traumas and events and have found a way through Christ to indeed overcome. In the west we embrace the traumas and hold them higher than the freedom we could have. We allow them to affect our worship, thoughts and how we see life. That is why it takes time for me to process back into western faith and what we consider normal, even though it might not be authentic.
In the west we have so much. Because of this we lose value of what we have available to us. We have excellent sound, worship, teaching, electricity, buildings, hot showers and luxury items to do life. We have lost honor for the journeys true men and women went on to be formed and discard their words taking them lightly. In other nations the opposite is true. A seasoned man or woman of God is treated with respect and honor. It is knowing the process that was required to bring forth wisdom. The years of service and the sacrifices made are held in esteem. In America all of these holds no real value. What seems to only gain respect is if the person has met my need, or if they have placed me in a position to be recognized, or if their ministry is a certain size. In Nigeria a person’s honor is held as part of how they are seen. Honor is in the culture both in and out of the church. I am not talking about making people idols or putting on pedestals but giving honor where honor is truly due.
I tell you the work in nations is great and the response is even greater. America is in need as well but is blind in contentment. We believe we do not need the fullness of God but are willing to live in portions of fullness. We live compartmentalized lives of faith. We decide what we will or not believe and do. We take time to process truth to fit our lives while in nations truth is embraced with faith and understanding comes as they walk it out.
I believe if all I did was ministry in America, I surely would be discouraged. The change is slow and at times unappreciated. I am thankful that he has counted me worthy to go to nations. I am thankful that I am not wasting what I have been given. I am thankful to be part of the Body of Christ universal and can see the kingdom amongst the nations as well as here in America.