Further to our current structuring and preparing for the future, there has been some considerable advances which I am really excited about, as it will postion TOM into a place that will facilitate expansive growth for years to come. What I share is not new and indeed the way forward means taking the old ways back.

With the growth of TOM over the last year, there have indeed been many challenges and some setbacks. But in all these things, the Lord has brought us to a place of complete dependency upon Him and in the crucible there has been some refining and purification taking place, but through the process comes greater clarity and revelation which have helped to draw the new map to be navigated.

Part of this clarification has been in understanding the nature of TOM and adopting the right culture for its mandate to be fulfilled.  The situation has been a complex and difficult one to work through, but we are committed to provide the right culture and spiritual framework for the movement of TOM to flourish and fulfill it's God given mandate. It is the inbred nature of man to seek to establish "empire" or institution and naturally there has been external pressure to yield in this direction. For instance the hierarchal approach of administration, properties, funding etc which belong to the old mindset of what a "ministry" looks like. I do not suggest to discredit many wonderful ministries and organisations doing a great work who follow this institutional model, but this is not the model for TOM. Indeed there is a need for proper organisation and accountability but not at the expense of freedom of individuality and the pioneer spirit which must be given full freedom and support if we are truly to redefine the boundaries our Christian faith and experience. We cannot allow ourselves to get bogged down by the limitations of human tradition or "principles of this world" (as Paul writes in Colossians). TOM is primarily a pioneer movement which must remain on the cutting edge. With that in mind, our role as International Directors is not to control but to facilitate the right culture for the movement to thrive, and secondly our role is as guardians of the values which form the core of TOM. The "success" of TOM rests not on the various projects and ministries around the world, but upon the godly character, anointing, commitment and passion of those who are involved. But ultimately, if we are to "succeed" it will not be because of anything which we have done so much as what the Lord has done because of the willing vessels who were surrendered to His purpose and plan. Just like Abraham, we cannot know where we are headed, but we do know the architect and builder, Amen!

The significance of what I am sharing is huge. Our focus is not upon the work but upon the worker, not upon the mission but upon the missionary. We are stepping back from "hands on" involvement and accountability with various TOM expressions around the world, and we are releasing TOM into the hands and responsibility of its associates. We want to officially recognise those that God has called to join and participate with us, then leave the outworking of the TOM mandate to those appointed. Any other way is simply unworkable and unsustainable. We have to operate on a basis of trust in the associates, and of mutual responsibility for what the Lord has given. For each nation, this means that we want to officially recognise TOM associates, but the outworking of the TOM mandate is totally in their hands and of course in the hands of God.

This leaves things very open where there are many potential ways forward, in a way there are greater dangers, but also the greatest opportunity for significance and freedom of the Holy Spirit. This approach, we believe, truly positions us in a movement culture, where we are joined together through shared values and common convictions. We also believe this follows the example of the first true Christian movement in the book of Acts, and if I remember correctly they were involved in the greatest revolution the world has every known!!