Lakeland Outpouring……Hopeful, Helpful or Harmful?

As a speaker, author and pastor who travels internationally nine or ten times a year, I get many questions asked to me by leaders in the church. For the last 9 months or so, many have been asking me about the Lakeland Outpouring. Many have been telling me for several months now that it is falling apart. Frankly, I didn't know what to say as most of these types of “outpourings” tend to come and go....a wind and wave type of thing. 

Peter Wagner recently wrote an update to the International Coalition of Apostles concerning major issues that have surfaced within the Outpouring, even with the main speaker himself. One of the issues that Dr. Wagner observed was the issue the lack of governance and apostolic alignment in these revivals or outpourings. I think that he was and is totally right in the sense that these types of "revivals" need someone or something that has input and governance when, not if, things get weird or too extreme. What usually follows when “more Lord” becomes ‘too much’ are character meltdowns, pride and endless meetings and offerings. That’s not good for anybody!

The problem with these types of things is that well meaning Christians tend to make a thing, the thing. Good things, taken to extremes, become bad things. What God blesses as a supplement, He curses as a substitute. When you make a thing, the thing, you don't get anything, at least for long. Christians tend to ‘deify’ or make one aspect of Jesus’ ministry, all of Jesus’ ministry. When, without knowing it, you make an aspect of Jesus all of Jesus, you obligate God to move against the very thing you desire. Remember the verse, "Thou shall have no other Gods before me?” The net result is as Psalm 115:8 points out, “the one who worships it will become like it.” The one aspect/theme/emphasis starts to conform the worshipper into its own image rather than Christ's image. That’s why people get defensive and darn right mean when you address the issue. This type of confusion is symptomatic of something that is forming you into its own image. Most don't do this intentionally...their hearts and their enthusiasm is wonderful, but let’s get some wisdom into the equation also.

That's why apostolic input and government is so essential. True apostolic ministry is about conforming Christians, churches, and communities to all of Christ in character, ministry and mission…not part of Christ. Real apostles discern when real Holy Spirit activity has crossed the line into mysticism and Gnosticism. The idea is to grow up into all aspects into Christ, not one aspect. The man of God is to be adequate, equipped for every good work, not just one good work. Remember, what 1 Corinthians 2:16 states, “but we (us apostles), have the mind of Christ." The original apostles knew we are Christians first, revivalists second. We are Christians first, prophets second, etc. When the “revival” becomes first, and Jesus second (not in what we would say but in what we do).....then we have, without knowing it, made a false god....obligating God to go after it like with Dagon. In other words, revival is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master. That’s true of any other single aspect of Christ’s ministry also. Why? The one who worships it will become like it. God, being jealous of only the very best for us, doesn’t want that to happen. That is why most of these things tend to be winds and waves...not sustainable...a shooting star, not a star.

The problem is that these types of revivals, moves, visitations, outpourings, etc., make for good press or media opportunities inside and outside of Christianity. Most Spirit-filled people love the model of the sensational, anointed, one man or woman approach. That's fine to a point but not to the point of the "We want a king" approach that we find in 1 Samuel. Just think, the Israelites had a hand in cursing Saul without even knowing it. They obligated God to get Saul (their new god) before he even took office. That's not to say that Saul didn't have a hand in it but we also must not forget the most basic of the Ten Commandments. When everything is going right...the news of Lakeland type of moves goes all over the world. Conversely, when it goes wrong, news gets all over the world also. Most times it only ends up hurting what we all want; “that the earth might be filled with the glory of the Lord.” Thus, apostles and governance are needed.

I have no idea of what is happening on the inside of the Lakeland thing, but I can tell you the end just by witnessing the same pattern over and over again and knowing the Bible. This is why the ICA was started. I was with Peter and was one of the convener’s of what has evolved into the present ICA. We realized the necessity of having apostolic focus, awareness, alignment to Christ, and input so the Lakeland's of this world can be real, tangible and credible. We wanted both the incredible and credible at the same time.

In my opinion, the real question to ask, and one that real apostles will ask, is......does this look like all of Jesus in character, ministry and mission? Does this reflect the whole council of God? Are the leaders conformed to all of Christ or part of Christ? Are the leaders too specialized, too focused, or too theme/emphasis driven? Are the recipients of the ministry star struck or Christ struck? Could this be addictive in a negative way? Is all of Jesus being lifted up or is just one aspect of Jesus called revival being lifted up? Is this media driven, personality driven or Christ driven? What are we propagating....another revival meeting tomorrow night or real, tangible and lasting personal or community transformation? Is this a time of refreshing (Acts 3:19) leading people to a time of reformation (Heb. 9:10). Is this "revival" the means or the end? Is this a transaction or a transformation? Is this a touch or a change? Are the miracles real, tangible and lasting? Would Primetime/Nightline have a good report on this? Would the Queens of the South (community) come from the ends of the earth to see and hear the wisdom of Solomon (revival, meeting, etc.)?

One thing I might add here is that in order to build a ministry on signs and wonders, one had better have what Jesus had.....frequency and potency (like John Wimber or others like him). I'm not saying that we shouldn't pray for people for healing. I'm just saying that if you are building your whole ministry on miracles, you had better have the goods....frequently and powerfully. The results had better be real, tangible, measurable and lasting. Otherwise, the fruit inspectors (mainline media) will be on you like crazy. Not to mention that people will leave after the initial hope (hope deferred makes the heart sick) and hype if over. That makes it twice as hard for signs and wonders to be part of normal Christian experience for many. The fundamentalists have a great time with this type of promise them everything, give them nothing, give ‘em the old razzle dazzle, “you don't have enough faith” kind of ministry. It’s similar to the political scene going on now in America.

If you will allow me, let me make a few suggestions that might be helpful in the potency, credibility and integrity of the next Lakeland type of event. First of all, let’s be sure not to throw out the baby with the bathwater because of Lakeland. ‘Outpourings’ do happen from time to time which is good. It’s good to stir up the gifts…for a reason and for a season. Let’s not confuse the gift with the package or the message with the messenger. There’s no milk without manure, but we can do better. Governance should make sure the diamond of the gift is coupled with the blue velvet of a godly life and character. 

Secondly, apostolic leadership and governance needs to be required from the beginning of the outpouring. Dr. Wagner and his group where called in too late. It was like a man jumping from a 10 story building and being requested for help after the man had already fallen to the first floor. It was too little, too late. The governance needs to have jurisdiction or ‘teeth’…not something symbolic. Clear borders or governance enhance the flow, not limit the flow. Remember, a river without borders is a swamp. Real, tangible and credible accountability in character, finances and heresy should be a requirement in any outpouring, especially those that become well known.

Thirdly, even though it is nice to have testimonies to build faith, testimonies should not be given until the miracle is beyond reproach. People getting out of a wheel chair on stage, then getting back into the same wheelchair off stage is problematic. Where is the integrity in that? Mainline media will ask that question and the apostolic governance should too. We should have more than just focus on the outpouring, we should have awareness of how the community or doubters perceive the outpouring also. They may not understand the things of the Spirit but most can spot hype pretty quickly. 

My fourth suggestion is to make sure that those involved in ministry in the outpouring…the speaker, worship team, etc. have time to rest, recover and get refilled. The unwritten rule in these types of events is that its more powerful and spiritual if you have services every night for weeks at a time. There is a great price to pay for over-stimulation, both to the ministers and those ministered to. Jesus knew this and we should too. You have to come apart so you won’t come apart. You will only prosper as your soul prospers. Over-stimulation leads to exhaustion, emptiness, ever increasing sensationalism and harmful medicating.

Finally, the apostolic governance should be done by real apostles, not other offices trying to play apostle or make those trying to make apostles into their own image. Many prophets and evangelists, like those who follow these outpourings, tend to be so desperate for the miraculous that they often times overlook obvious character, money or heresy issues in the miracle worker. Many pastors and teachers tend to focus on all the negatives or problematic areas. Apostles have real discernment or at least they did in the book of Acts, on when liberty becomes license. They sense when “I will be even more undignified than this” becomes an exercise in the flesh, mysticism or and a new found false source of significance and security. Mature apostles should know when an outpouring is becoming more hurtful than it is helpful. 

Remember that outpourings are usually a means to an end, the alpha, not the omega. God gets the wineskins loose enough to change and then change happens. Times of refreshing lead to times of reformation. The Toronto blessing at Holy Trinity Brompton in London lead to the amazing growth of the Alpha Course. An inside change lead to a real and tangible outside change and the community was better for it. 

Oh well, those are my thoughts on the issue. Incidentally, years ago I gave Peter Wagner my book, Making Sense of Apostolic Ministry. It has just 66 pages because apostles don't read big books. It might be good to read it again in light of what is going on. That book is sold out and has been for years. It's a hit down in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. I never bothered to market it in the USA. We are getting ready to publish it again with different title...Apostolic Ministry...Balance through Fullness. I have a section in the updated version called.....Eight Dumb Things Smart Apostles and Prophets Keep Doing...which will be quite a section. It's a section that says......”What are we doing right and what could we do better?” One well known apostolic author in the US thinks that concept....Eight Dumb things...may be too harsh. The Aussie's, Kiwi’s, English, African-Americans and South African’s love it. It's easy to see the dumb and miss the smart. I just wanted to have a shocker statement in order to create interest in reading and selling the book! I love that concept but will easily give it up because I don't want to hurt the apostolic movement. I like to write Helpful, Hopeful and not Harmful!

Dr. Ed Delph