What is community infrastructures? It is a platform that communicates in a way that builds a connection to improve how we live with others. Sounds like a lot of work! It can be but the benefits can be life changing and can transform your community.
Here are a few examples of what these infrastructures look like. It could be a church, a social group, volunteer organizations, or business. It is people who have a common goal that unite together to accomplish that goal.
When I was in the United States Air Force, we had to go through basic training. Our TI’s (Training Instructors) would yell at us and force us to work under extreme conditions. It didn’t seem like we could do anything right. We had to march in straight rows and go to bed at a certain time. Now, when I look back on what was going on, I realize that it was to get total strangers to work together for a common goal of protecting the United States of America. We couldn’t have different goals or the mission would fail. Your identity was changed from a person who was unsure of who he was into a soldier, who was willing to lay down his life.
Kingdom Goals
In this next season of our lives, we will need to shift our thinking to be able to accomplish God’s kingdom goals. We are used to going to church, being a good person, and working hard. These are not bad goals but they are not necessarily kingdom goals. The church has a vital role in teaching God’s word and providing a community that functions in society. A church can have kingdom goals but many are tied to traditions and have slowly become hospital ships for the wounded. We need places people can be healed but Jesus said to make disciples.
Am I criticizing churches, no! I love my church. I love pastors who have laid down their lives for the people. So, what is the point I am trying to make? If we want to be in this next move of God, we need to shift our thinking from the way we have conducted church. Jesus ministered outside the church structure in the communities. He ministered to a Samaritan woman at a well and the whole town was changed. He called Zacchaeus down from the tree he was in and changed his identity. Zacchaeus was a despised tax collector but his encounter with Jesus changed his life and cause provision for Jesus’ ministry.
Denominationalism or Kingdom
Kris Vallotton, in his book 1Heavy Rain, explains the difference between denominationalism and kingdom living. He said that denominations have a hierarchic system which can be based on how much education you have and who you know. “It is a performance-driven leadership culture where the most accomplished person is commissioned to lead. (There is nothing wrong with education or seminaries, as long as they are not the ultimate qualifiers for leadership.)”
He said “apostleship are heir-archies. In heir-archies, leaders are not determined based on their ability to perform, but based on the level of favor they have received from God (Daddy) through their relationship with Him as a son or daughter. Apostolic leaders receive authority not based on what they know, but based on whom they know. This is what I term called-based leadership.”
Some church cultures call it apostle hubs or apostleships. I know these terms could turn some people off that don’t understand or believe there is no office of the apostle in our day. This is not the point I am discussing. Let me explain it this way. If you think of it as kingdom of God building or Community Infrastructures then it can fit in all walks of life, including, business, family circles, social events, and churches. Don’t let the terminology keep you from God’s path to change your sphere of influence.
Tug of War!
Does that mean we should flee our churches and find kingdom churches? No! I want you to understand in this next seasonal shift, that the church is going through, that we need to make sure we are free from the wrong mindsets. We need to have our old religious mindset changed to see the new kingdom view.
It will be a tug of war to get people to change. Many people want God’s will but are blinded by past experiences and doing things the way they know. If we want to change our communities, we need to go outside the church and be real to the world. That doesn’t mean we become like the world to win them over. It means we need to work our Christian principles in a way that infiltrated the world systems and cause change. That is the mustard seed that is planted in the world system and become a tree that shelters those who live under its shadow. This is why Jesus could operate under a tyrant and still change the world.
Catching the Wave of the Next Great Revival!
I had a vision in the early 1980’s. I was on this “j” shaped island mountain. I was climbing up the mountain because I could see this huge wave that was going to hit the island. As I was climbing, people were building structures and ignoring the wave. I thought why aren’t you moving before the wave hits. It took over eight years to get the full interpretation but the wave was God’s tsunami with all his gifts in full function. A fear of God hit me as the tsunami was about to hit the island.
Why am I telling you about this wave? Now, many people are having dreams and seeing this tsunami wave. It you want to be able to ride this wave of God’s move, you need to be flexible to ride it. I asked God about all the chaos, covid, and the wars breaking out. He reminded me of this wave vision. This is what I heard. God is using all these things to get us out of our places of comfort so we will depend on Him and the Holy Spirit. Using God’s word without the Holy Spirit causes us to depend on our works and ability to work God’s word. Many have fallen when things get bad because they were depending on being good people to protect them. Following the Spirit without the word can causes us to go off the deep end and misinterpret God’s leading. To be able to ride the wave of God’s move, we need the word of God and the Holy Spirit. The word of God will keep us going in the right direction. The Holy Spirit will empower us to be flexible and remove the boxes that have been placed on our lives.
In conclusion, to build community infrastructures we have to be flexible, know God’s word, and be led by the Holy Spirit. This will remove the boxes of religion and past experiences, so we can operate in this world and bring God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. We need to be willing to move pass the old mindset of “I hope I get raptured before it gets bad” to a mindset of “picking up our swords and running to the frontlines of the battle.” God has appointed you to be born in this time in history. You are no accident. This means God has given you all you need to accomplish your destiny on this earth.
Prayer
Father God,
I ask that you remove the old mindsets that have caused people to see through tainted lens. Holy Spirit, empower them to know you and your ways. Cause the word of God to burn in their hearts and put fire in their feet that they will be able to change their circle of influence. Let the fear of God open their eyes to see King Jesus ruling on earth as it is in heaven. Give them wisdom to infiltrate the dark places and bring transformation to their communities. Your kingdom come and may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Because of Jesus’s shed blood and by the power of the Holy Spirit, amen!
Scriptures: John 4; Luke 19:1-8; 4:1-2 & 14; 11:1-4; 13:18-19; John 14:16-17; Acts 4:31; 17:26
1Heavy Rain © 2010, 2016 by Kris Vallotton published by Chosen Books (www.chosenbooks.com) pages 48-49; https://krisvallotton.com
Outhouse Ministries 
COVID has forced us to change, we should not be waiting to change back! This is what the Lord has been saying to me. I want to ride the wave of the Lord! I’m going to look for the change and go with the Lord, no matter how unsure or wobbly I might feel. Uncharted waters are always a little scary. But with Jesus there is always an assurance “Everything is going to turn out good.”
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We are waxing our surf boards!
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