MEGA CHURCH TO META (BEYOND) CHURCH

25 Steps to transit from being barren to a millionaire of souls.

1. Rewrite the job description of the professional clergy from that of a pulpit orator, sacrament dispenser and tithe gatherer, to that of a shepherd who feeds his flock to be healthy and reproducing, by encouraging them to practice the priesthood of all believers with authority to baptize, break bread and equip fishers of men. He must model a flat church structure wherein the flock submit to one another, pray one for another, serve one another, exhort, forgive and love each other. (John 13:34-35; Matthew18:21-22; Eph. 5:21)

2. Move from corporatized temples to gathering in simple organic houses of peace', which are biblically based, kingdom oriented, customizable, effective and free. 'God does not dwell in temples made with human hands'; rather He dwells in human hearts. You are the aroma of Christ and the fragrance of life among those rogues and rascals who are perishing. You are not there to peddle the word of God for profit but to translate sinners and scoundrels into the kingdom of His dear Son, for you are the mobile walking and talking temples of the living God, with a maximum of organism and a minimum of organization. What you hear from the pulpit is mere rhetoric, the real action is outside. (Luke 10:5-9; Matt. 10:11-13; Acts 7:48- 49; 2 Cor. 2:14-17; 6:16)

3. Phase out programmed Sunday 'services' while actualizing informal, small gatherings. The Bride of Christ must have intimacy with her Lord every day, not only for a couple of hours a week, lest she become unfaithful. However, discourage cross- gender disciple-making, lest chemistry foul things up. Christ offered nothing to His Bride, except Himself so that she could go and fulfill the Creation Mandate, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, subdue it and have dominion over it." Believe that God is going to work a work among the nations through you, which will leave you utterly amazed, and also provide resources to do it. (Acts 2:46-47; Heb.3:13; Gen.1:28; Hab.1:5) 

4. Replace legalistic tithing with extravagant sharing. In the OT, tithe was always "food" to be eaten; the firstling of animals, corn, first fruits, wine and oil etc. Even if you came from a long distance, you still had to buy an animal at the local cattle market as cash could not be offered at the altar for atonement. Gifts and offerings in cash or kind, must be offered at the apostles' feet for the apostolic agenda of the church and not for constructing buildings or other extra-biblical programs. Tithing is now breaking bread from house to house. Harness the enormous, financial resources, hospitality and goodwill available in Christian homes. (Deut. 8:17-18; 14:23; Luke 6:38; Acts 4:34-35; Malachi 3:10)

5. Demythologize wafer-and-sip Holy Communion and promote breaking of bread with simple Agape meals (love feasts) from house to house, that believers take with glad hearts, 'and the Lord added to His numbers daily'. The Lord served roast lamb, bitter herbs, bread and wine 'in a house' for the Last Supper. Melchizedek served bread and wine to Abraham in the middle of the street. Father God had lunch with Abraham under a tree and discussed Sarah's pregnancy, Sodom's ruin and Lot's rescue plan. (Acts 2:46-47; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:20-23; Exodus 12:8; Gen. Chap 18). 

6. Replace professional music with disciples speaking to each other in psalms and spiritual songs, making melody in their hearts to the Lord. 'Worship' in the OT required a Sword, the Fire and a Sacrifice of four-footed beasts. 'Worship' in the NT requires, the Sword (Word of God); the Fire (Holy Spirit) and a two-legged "broken and contrite heart" as a living Sacrifice. The church is a discipling hub and not a singing club. Only sheep can breed sheep and only a disciple- maker can reproduce another disciple- maker. It is the making of abundant disciples that glorify God, which is real worship. Worship in truth and spirit is no longer confined to the temple but anyplace, where you make disciples. (Gen. 22:5-7; Psalm 51:17; 2 Chron. 7:12; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16; Rom. 15:16; John 4: 20-24;15:8) 

7. Shift from being a spectator-oriented church to 'metastasizing', interactive, participatory, gender- neutral prophetic church, where everyone can share a psalm, a doctrine, a revelation, a tongue, a testimony, a dream or a vision. Like Yeshua, designate your disciples as workplace apostles (sent ones) from day one. The dragon is now driving the world by default. Maximize ordinary believers into champion performers using their gifts and talents to dethrone the dragon off the driver's seat. We, the seed of Abraham are blessed; "with multiplying I will multiply you and your seed will possess the gates of the enemy". (1Cor.14:26-32;Luke 6:13;1John 5:19;Gen.22:17-18). 

8. Your Lord Yeshua did not preach from the same pulpit twice. Why should you? When there are tens of millions that have yet to hear the gospel for the first time? Paul shifted to a nearby hall of Tyrannous, discipled his clients, the itinerant nomads while crafting their tents, who then went and turned the world right side up. For a powerful synergy, metamorphose mega- churches into city, regional and national networks of Meta churches. Instead of gathering under one roof, encourage multisite gatherings under thousands of roofs; just like the mega church at Jerusalem birthed meta- churches in Samaria, Antioch, Corinth, Rome and beyond that grew daily, in faith and in numbers, both in quality and quantity. (Rom. 16:3-15; Acts 1:8; 16:5; 17:6; 19:8-10)

9. Implant DNA of rapid multiplication in the infertile Bride to maximize her fertility rate. A healthy mature female (Bride) implies that she is ready to have babies. Rebecca, the Bride of Isaac, was blessed by her family to have millions of children. The Bride of Christ must become productive and stretch her tent to the left and to the right, to the north and to the south, to produce millions of meta-brides and fill the earth. (Gen.24:60; Isa.54:1-5) 

10. Empower women. Mary of Magdala, a redeemed sinner, was the first apostle (sent one) to the apostles (sent ones). Priscilla, Phoebe, Lydia, Apphia, Nympha and host of other women were apostles, prophets, teachers and house church facilitators. Paul never asked women (gune) to keep their mouths shut, he only asked wives (gune) not to embarrass their husbands (aner) in public but to ask them questions at home. Gune in Greek can mean both a woman as well as a wife, just like aner in Greek can mean both a man as well as a husband. Paul gave no instructions for unmarried women. Yeshua's blood removed the curse of Eve and now God is pouring out His spirit on all flesh; men and women, young and old, Jews and Gentiles to prophesy and edify His church. Not empowering women would disenfranchise half the workforce of the church. (Acts 2:17,18; Gal. 3:27-29; 1 Cor. 7:25; 14:34,35) 

11. Spouses - your real marriage is to the Lord. The husband-wife relationship is just an earthly model to see how you make it work. If you can't make this one work, you may not be invited to the wedding banquet of the Lamb. Sons and daughters - honor your mother and father, if you want to live long. The Hebrew word kabad and the Greek word time' for 'honor' means 'making rich' or even 'money paid'. Providing abundant life for your aging parents' ranks higher than paying Korban (tithe) to your church, which is not part of the Ten Commandments. Fathers - improve your relationship score with your sons, lest the Lord smite the earth with a curse. (Rev.19:9; Exo.20:12, Mal. 4:5,6) 

12. Know your identity in Christ: You are an ambassador of Christ, the highest ranking representative of the government of God, wherever you are posted. You are a royal-priest, made so by the blood of the Lamb. Dismantle the 'Reverend' culture that divides clergy from layman. Like Melchizedek, the royal-priest of Jerusalem (City of Peace), who served bread and wine, took a tithe and blessed Abraham, bring godly governance to your city. Catch the vision of cloning and saturating the city with royal-priests, and run with it. Remember every royal priest has been commanded to serve the Lord's Supper. (Eph. 6:20; 1 Pet.2:9; Rev.5:10; Hab.2:1-3; Isa. 9:6-7; Gen. 14:18; Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24, 25)

13. Paul's passion was to conduct a saturation blitz of the gospel, where Christ had not been named, not just with words but with mighty signs and deeds. What is your passion? Challenge purposeless churches to enunciate a clear vision and to lay out a road map to translate that vision into action plans and set goals to 'do greater things than these'. Armed with maps, stats and the Great Commission, go two by two, find "the person of peace", heal the sick, cast out demons and then teach them the divine arithmetic of discipling just one soul every month, and very soon, even the least shall have a thousand souls in his savings account. (John 14:12; Rom. 15:19,20; Acts 16:5; Luke 10:1- 9: Isa. 60:22)

14. Are you just a Christian or a powerless believer? "And these signs shall follow a believer; he shall cast out demons...and pray for the sick and they will be healed." But a believer will not make it to heaven, if he fails to disciple the delivered. Yeshua did not ask you to make believers, but to make disciple-makers. Unglue from the pews all those lukewarm Churchians who sit, soak and stagnate, and send them to heal the sick, raise the dead, tread on snakes and scorpions (expel demons), bind the 'strongman', plunder his possessions, and demolish the gates of Hell, and make disciples. Doggedly pursue demon demolition and disciple making drive until 'the kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and His Messiah. (Mark 16:17,18; Matt. 7:21-23; 11:12;12:29;16:18- 19; Luke 10:19; Rev. 11:15)

15. Resurrect from being a dead organization to a living organism. Missions is too important to be left to extra-biblical professionals with cosmetic titles like Director, Chairman, and CEO etc. Replace them with five- fold ministry-gifted Elders, like apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers, as equippers. Whoever heard of a shepherd pasturing his sheep in the sheep-pen? True Pastoring is pasturing the sheep everyday in the pasture-land (the world) to eat, mate and multiply. Healthy feeding and leading will keep the flock thriving and fertile and build bridges with the 'other sheep which are not of this fold'. (Eph.4:11; Tit. 1:5-9; John 10:16)

16. Stop sniggering at the barefoot apostles and the non-literate story tellers belonging to the oral tradition, for they are the real kingdom expanders. Invest in micro-mission leaders and their micro-businesses to produce more of the same. Maximize every Sunday school, bible school, prayer cell, women's fellowship, and cottage meeting, into full-fledged, authentic churches. Encourage them to make disciples, baptize, break bread, equip and send missionaries, both local and cross-cultural, and change the spiritual demography of their cities. Imposing man-made structures over God's commands can blot your name out from the Book of Life. (1Cor.16:19; Acts 4:13;19:8-12; Rev. 3:2,5; Gal.1:8-11)

17. Filter out non-performing goats that come only for hatching (baby baptisms), matching (weddings) and dispatching (funerals). Replace them with sheep that take care of the hungry, thirsty, naked, strangers, sick and prisoners. Culling i.e. getting rid of the non-productive sheep and donating them as free gift to the nearest Pentecostal church will greatly improve your standing in the local Pastor's Fellowship. Culling is an integral dynamics of the 'best practices' of sheep rearing, so that the shepherd can invest his best resources on the most productive sheep. God chose David to shepherd Israel because he was skillful in taking care of "the ewes great with young". (Matt. 25:31-46; Psa. 78:70-72)

18. Simplify disciple making. Invite a couple of truth-seekers for a meal where the main dish is - The Lamb. Redefine authentic church as wherever two or three, eat, meet, gossip the gospel, and multiply. Like Paul try reasoning first, if that does not work, then try persuading and if that fails, try disputing and when push comes to shove, perform a notable miracle that they cannot deny. The primary business of the church is to coordinate between heaven and earth. Meta- church is the most cost effective strategy for reaching the ends of the earth. The architecture of an organic church is radically different from a regular church. It not only looks different but even her functional dynamics are entirely different. (Acts 2:42-47; 4:16; 17:2, 18:4; 19:8; Matt. 18: 18-20)

19. Shun seminary training, the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil, driven by disobedience. Instead, be the Tree of life, wherever you are planted, and bring forth new fruit, even your leaves should be for the healing of the nations. Share the whole wisdom of God from house to house, and set up an unstoppable momentum of discipleship chain. Be they delinquent Christians or defiant devotees of other faiths, sound doctrine is not rhetoric from the pulpit, but the ability to convince, convict and bring the recalcitrant to repentance. The lost of this world do not need scholars as much as they need spiritual fathers and mothers 'who raise many spiritual sons and daughters to glory." (Titus 1:9; 1 Cor. 4:15; 14:24, 25; Acts 20:20, 27; 2 Tim. 2:2; Heb 2:10; Rev. 22:1-3) 

20. God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden to work and to guard it. Significantly the Hebrew word Avodah for work can also be translated worship. Adam was to worship God through his work in the garden while guarding it from demonic attack. God took an accountability walk every evening to see how Adam was doing. Sadly, Adam disobeyed and climbed up the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil and failed. He died instantly but was buried 930 years later. God in his scheme of things has placed you, wherever you are, to worship Him through your redemptive work. (Genesis 3:15)

21. Reorient your personal paradigm. Your business, workplace or home, wherever you spend most of your time, is your 'Primary nuclear church'. It matters little whether you are the CEO, or the janitor or the kitchen queen; you are a full-time work-place minister there and accountable. Salvation restores your relationship with the Father but discipleship restores you in the image of God. Salvation alone is not enough, for the Christ in you must activate you to proactively seek and save the lost. (Rom. 12:1,2; Eph. 3:6; Luke 15:7,10) 

22. You are the temple of the living God. How does a temple go to church? Going to healing crusades, prayer towers minimizes the Christ in you, the hope of glory of the Gentiles. Recognize ‘Hi, Hello,' handshaking, Sunday Service as your 'secondary, optional church', a fig leaf skirt that provides only a temporary solution. A church that does not send you out to 'raise your holy hands to pray everywhere' and optimize you to walk tall and make Christ 'high and lifted up' in your city, is not worth going to. A missional church must think and act like a missionary, both at home and abroad. (1 Cor. 3:16; Col. 1:26,27; 1 Tim. 2:8; Isa. 6:1) 

23. Most good missionaries practice bad missiology. Change hearts and delete all that is demonic but do not try to ravage their food habits, dress code and culture, including their worship style, just because it is different. Do not hurriedly church a new follower of Christ, where he will be lectured to but not discipled. Most Christians do not have a clue; how to lead someone to Christ and by some fluke if that happens, then they do not know how make him a disciple-maker, simply because they themselves have never been discipled. Find a mentor who is loaded with fruit (disciples) and not just a theoretician. Paul visited heathen temples, contextualized their sacred texts and used it to disciple Athenian intellectuals. (Matt. 7:16-20; Acts 17:17-28)

24. Are you Rapture ready? Do not wait 'till death do us part', rather do whatever it takes to precipitate the Rapture by bringing Christ back on earth in your own generation. Re-set your priority to preach Christ where He has not been named. You are a candle with the potential to light thousands of candles and remove darkness from the dragonland. For this you do not have to go to church from Sunday to Sunday nor work for paycheck to paycheck. You are "ordained" to bring lasting fruit, and to fill the earth with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (1Cor. 15:52; Matt. 6:33; Luke 11:33; John 15:16; Hab. 2:14)

25. Adopt a completion mindset'. Evaluate your ministry by the Great Commission as its mandate, with the numbers of disciples made, baptized, equipped and sent out as the benchmark. Aim to become a millionaire of souls. And why not? After all, you believe in a great and awesome God for whom nothing is impossible. At the very least, like Peter, shoot for 3000 baptisms by every Pentecost. Or like Paul, plant a multiplying micro-church every day, till you can claim that there are no more places left here for me to fully preach the gospel'. You may have many aspirations, but the destination is one to have your name written in the Book of the Lamb. (Acts 2:41; 16:5; Rom. 15:19, 23)

Shalom and Shalom.