Assessment: GENERATIONS & NEW STREAMS
​ As a movement grows from a few generations to many, and as the movement spreads out from the first stream to new streams in new places, the needs of the emerging movement will continue to grow and shift. We need to press into Jesus more than ever before in this stage of movement as we push to see strong beginnings develop into a seedbed for a multiplying movement! More prayer mobilization is needed outside the movement, but much more important is deeper prayer training within the emerging movement!
​ As new generations and streams begin to emerge, more prayer is needed both outside and inside the movement which is focused on discerning the gaps in discipleship and any other hindrances to healthy reproduction of the life of Christ in new generations and streams. We might also consider how to reinforce the DNA of relational connection with God, strategic prayer, and personal and communal listening and discernment within existing generations as well as in new streams and generations.
​ If new streams have not yet emerged, it may be that God is calling the movement to a fresh devotion to him, to listen to his voice, and to follow his leading; perhaps there are undiscovered apostles, evangelists, or other leaders among the existing house churches that just need an encounter with God to recognize their own calling to reach out and start new things in partnership with God. Perhaps what is needed is a fresh wave of intercession for the kingdom to expand into new places, or focused prayer among existing leaders for emerging leaders, or for a fresh revelation of God's love and purpose among this people group. Perhaps God is leading the believers to organize themselves into more intentional efforts in intercession, fasting, all night prayer, or outreach through prayer.
​ Regardless, as more generations are reproduced and as streams start in new geographic or social contexts, we have a fresh opportunity to seek the Lord together with the believers within the movement as to how he wants us to walk with him, listen to him, and obey him. Don't miss that opportunity!
Prayer Priorities for this Stage:
- Pray that God will give vision for reaching outside natural relational networks to cross ethnic, linguistic, political and cultural barriers
- Pray for the ongoing organic growth of the movement to continue to spread widely and strongly
- Pray for appropriate support and coaching for these new streams
- Pray for the intentional plans and efforts that are made to spread to new population segments, new people groups and new places
- Pray for wisdom and perseverance in light of the often growing systematic opposition and persecution as the movement grows larger
- Pray for wisdom, motivation, and implementation to find and fill the gaps in each and every unreached people and place
- Pray that well-meaning traditional Christians do not come in and offer teaching or other jobs to these new movement leaders and if this does happen that the movement leaders will realize this is not a healthy way to proceed
- Ask God to grant greater clarity and vision around how he would have us pray, work, and invest in others in the coming season
- Ask God to highlight both strengths and weaknesses in the movement so far, and how he wants to maximize the former and address the latter
- Ask God what opportunities and threats may be on the horizon for the movement work, and listen around how he would have us prepare
- Pray and listen around how we can properly prioritize and devote more time to listening prayer and intercession for the emerging movement, even as many other things demand our time
- Devote prayer, time, thought, and conversation with leaders to how new believers and emerging leaders are being trained in all kinds of prayer
Assessment: GENERATIONS & NEW STREAMS
The point of the following questions is simply to help assess your level of engagement in strategic prayer in your stage of movement work, and to help create awareness of how else you might invest in the critical work of prayer and intercession. Our hope is that this tool will provoke more questions, encourage you to dig into the resources to follow, and to reach out to others for more input and coaching.
How much are we asking the Lord not just about the needs of the moment, but about how to build now for the next 2-5 years?
How aware are we of “cracks in the foundation” of the movement, and how are we addressing those things in prayer? How much time are we spending waiting and listening to the Lord about these things?
How much time are we spending in prayer, intercession, and listening for the movement work? If anything, more time is needed in prayer and intercession than ever at this stage of the work!
To what degree have the new leaders been prepared to respond to efforts by well-meaning traditional Christians, churches, and ministries who offer to hire them and thus (unintentionally) hinder further movement work?
To what degree are we encouraging leaders to wait on the Lord for direction about intentional sending to new places (as they may have studied in the Word)? To what degree is leaders’ vision for the movement growing and expanding based on time in the Word and time spent in the presence of the Lord?
How are we building greater intercessory prayer capacity both outside and inside the movement? How will we ensure that there is adequate prayer covering such that the center remains strong while the edges continue to expand?
How are we training leaders in prayer and intercession, especially as they consider entry into new, unreached areas or peoples? How are “sent ones” being equipped in prayer and intercession for the purposes of entry into new areas?
How are local leaders in the movement reproducing prayer and intercession in the movement? How are they ensuring that the DNA for prayer and intercession is filtering down to later generations?
How are we praying into the long-term health and sustainability of the movement? What is the Lord saying to us about this? How are we responding?