Stage Overview:

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