Not many would deny that we are living in the age of the instant. We want everything now, and we’re not prepared to wait for it, whatever ‘it’ may be. In fact we’ve gone so far that it doesn’t even matter what ‘it’ may be anymore, we just know that we want ‘it’ and want ‘it’ now!

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!!

Message from Mike of Time Out Mission International

Warrior Wisdom

Introduction

There is an aspect of our Christian life which calls for a particular emphasis of character. In both the Old and New Testaments the analogy of warfare and being a soldier of God is clear. But there is more to being in the army of God than simply wearing the uniform. Yes it is true that we are all soldiers, but the term does not denote any particular quality or characteristic. In an army there can be good and bad soldiers. Soldiers who are courageous, and those that shy from the battle line. There are those who can be self seeking (as in the case of Achan), and those who demonstrate amazing levels of self sacrifice (as in David's mighty men). In 2 Tim 2:3 Paul encourages Timothy "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.". It is not enough to be a soldier, we must learn how to be a good soldier, how to become warriors. Soldiers can be defeated, but warriors secure the victory. In these days, there is a pressing need for the people of God to put on the whole armour of God and to take their stand. To enforce upon the earth what God has already accomplished in the Heavens. These are not days for the faint hearted, or for those who are caught up with the distractions of the world, but the call is for the army of God to arise and shine. As with the servant of Elisha who beheld the "horsemen and chariots of Israel", may God enlighten us by His Holy Spirit that we see the battlefield correctly and understand the principles and lifestyle necessary to overcome.

Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at how we can turn every situation into a victory, and how we can find delight in each trial.

Last week we began a new teaching series on Warrior Wisdom, and suggested that it is not enough simply to wear the uniform, but to truly be victorious requires a serious commitment and understanding in the ways of God and spiritual warfare. This week we take a look at the importance of intimacy which empowers the individual and allows revelation.

Week 2
The secret life of the warrior

One aspect on God's nature is that He is entirely confident in himself and His own ability. He has no self doubt, and has complete self awareness of who He is. God believes in himself! In His mind there are no niggling anxieties eroding away His confidence. And this is how he wants us to be also. To have confidence which is unshakable, to be completely steadfast and unwavering in our opinion about who He is and about who we are in Christ.

Having been back home for over a week from the last mission to Kenya in August/September this year, I have had time to reflect on all that took place and its significance for both the present and future. Without doubt the Lord has a plan in mind, and amazing things in store for Kenya and in particular Western Kenya where we spent much of our time.

Responding to an invitation at the national conference in Benin focussed on transformation of the nation by taking the seven mountains, Howard and I were pleased to be able to minister at the conference which was at the national conference centre in Cotonou. The conference was well attended and we believe some significant new Divine Alliances were made. We were able to establish a number of new relationships with brothers and sisters in Benin, but also to spend time with old friends in fellowship and quality time together.

The Time Out Journey helps map a course through the current and changing season facing the church and Christians around the world today. The Journey can be characterised by some core objectives, namely

• Inspiring people into a deeper relationship with God,
• Empowering people to reach their highest potential,
• Transforming society through love and creative mission.

Along this journey there are some critical junctures which we will take a look at so that we understand the design and intentionality of God for us as individuals and for His body the church. God's design is perfect and He created us for great purpose and fulfilment, but as with any creation there are conditions requiring to be met in order to function as the Creator intended. We will take a broad look across a number of different aspects of our spiritual life, examining church and providing the right kind of atmosphere for life to flourish

The phases of our journey can be broken down as follows

PHASE Area of Transformation

• Foundation Centre
• Habitation Character
• Inspiration Conception
• Invitation Confidence
• Release Culture
• Chaos Church
• Mission Community

Foundation

The core value behind TOM comes directly from John 15, which instructs us to abide in Jesus and He is us. This is so needed in every believer's life and yet often so poorly adopted. Intimacy with the Lord is the prerequisite for all life and ministry; indeed we are taught that apart from Him we can do nothing. I would go on to say, "There is a journey upon which we are all embarked, and as much as it is an outward journey of mission, work and ministry, it is first a journey of the inner man in the pursuit of God himself." This approach and lifestyle not only yields "much fruit", but also places the believer in a relationship of friendship with Jesus, and a place of revelation. This friendship and revelation form the right foundation for mission to succeed.

Habitation

Developing from a look at foundations, the second phase of habitation focuses on the influence that living in Christ makes within the life of a believer. This is explored at three levels. Firstly that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit and the importance this places upon personal holiness and consecration. Secondly the innate hunger within the heart of man for the presence of God and how this is outworked through the concept of building altars. And lastly the mandate upon man to inhabit the uninhabited, to exercise dominion authority in occupying un-chartered territory for God

Inspiration

The first two phases of foundation and habitation are all connected around intimacy with God. Out of this position of abiding in Christ comes revelation. Jesus said "everything I have learned from my Father I have made known to you." Revelation is the key to progress. We cannot grow beyond revelation. There is part of our human makeup which is created by God to engage on a spiritual level with Him. It is the realm of the spirit and redeemed imagination. Imagination in the sense of conception and envisioning that which is not yet born. So often God would communicate His purposes for His children and the nation Israel by engaging with them in their imagination, this runs parallel with faith which is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.

Invitation

Critical if the potential within us is to be fulfilled is that we take responsibility for what God has given us: To realise that we have been invited by God to participate in His Kingdom purpose. The invitation phase is essentially about understanding that we are sons and not servants, and what this means to us as individuals. A servant does not know his master's business and must ask permission to do anything. This teaching reveals that permission is granted to be ourselves and accomplish what He has given us to do. It transitions the believer from a "slave" mindset that needs approval and release, into one of sonship where we have the freedom to do what we want. Obviously there are dangers here, and the importance of servanthood still applies as we love and serve one another, but these are examined, drawing from the example of the prodigal son, where one son used his freedom unwisely, whereas the other son had a slave mentality which hindered his relationship with his father and prevented him from receiving his inheritance

Release

The first four phases of the Time Out journey are essentially about the individual. The last three phases are focussed more on context. Yes the value of the individual journey must be upheld and respected, but it is within the context of relationships with others both inside and outside the church that the individual is positioned. And so there must be an empowering culture which facilitates the individual journey and releases them into what God has called them to. This is about cultural transformation: A culture which reflects the Biblical teaching of spurring one another on towards love and good deeds. This is a bold challenge to current church trends which can struggle with release which is about sending out, opting for the lure of stability which is about drawing in. This begins the transition of church away from institution towards more of an organic model.

Chaos

There is a relatively new approach to management which has been developing over the last few years, which is the art of applying lessons from nature and living systems into organisations to better enable them to cope with change and become more effective. Chaos here is used in terms of complexity and non-linear interaction as akin to any living system and environment. In this phase we borrow from this new science and see if some of the principles being successfully applied in business, governments and even armed forces can be used in the context of church and Christian practice.

Mission

It is important to differentiate between church and mission. Church is not ours but His, as such church is His mission and so is predefined and not open for preference or debate. Jesus said I will build my church, no clearer insight could be given in this regard. On the other hand, God calls each of us to mission as well. And so our mission is not to build His church, our mission is to extend His Kingdom. This principle changes our entire approach to church and mission. Church isn't something you do, it's something you are already. Our efforts, assets and resources should primarily be involved in mission. Metaphorically, we need to be a lot lighter and less restricted. This phase explores these concepts and the role of mission at an individual level, and also collectively by working together towards shared objectives.

Conclusion

The Time Out Journey starts with the individual and ends with corporate and personal mission. It is a journey which begins and ends in intimacy. Through intimacy and abiding in Christ, we are position correctly to receive, amongst other things, revelation from God. This revelation forms the basis for growth and spiritual accomplishment. This is a central truth behind Time Out Mission: That God engages with His people through spiritual envisioning and imagination, to impregnate us through the Holy Spirit, with that which He desires to bring about. This is the place of conception, but in order for the "seed" to germinate and mature, takes the right nurturing and environment to grow, and so the emphasis moves from the individual to the corporate, to encourage a move towards the edge of chaos where creativity is maximised, the church becomes a movement and the Spirit of God has the greatest freedom to accomplish the intentions of His heart.