First wrote in 2010. I will be making this a series of blogs on the topic of 'Transformation'.                                               

TRANSFORMATION- seems to be a buzz word in the church lately.  While attending a class in 2004 at WLI, C. Peter Wagner talked about transformation in the church sphere. I thought back then, we (the church) were a little behind, since I had already been reading and hearing about ‘transformation’ in the education sphere since 2000. None the less, I’ve been now hearing a lot of leaders talk about‘transformation or ‘reformation’ of the church and cities the last few years. 

So what does transformation look like? and How do we get there?  Some have said, transformation in cities is eliminating systematic poverty, others say it is reformation in schools, or seeing corruption gone, or the homeless off the streets, human trafficking eliminated,  and justice established. I believe it is all of these and more.  What I do know not 'one' church/congregation is going to bring it all or do it all, but the Body of Christ doing their 'part' in the city will help. I was on a phone conference call a few years back addressing the 12 components of what is needed for transformation and we knew it would take many doing their part.   

The Leadership Agents of Transformation - these are people of influence  (sometimes called gatekeepers) in various spheres of influence. Although I’ve heard some say the pastors are the city gatekeepers, I’d like to say I’ve only seen a few who carry authority as city gatekeepers. Pastors may be spiritual leaders of their flocks, but many are not the ones making the decisions of influence in the city. 

    Ephesians 4:12 list the leadership gifts for equipping and training the saints for the work of the ministry are-the apostle, prophet and evangelist, pastor/teacher.  Often in American Christianity we have only found the pastor/teacher as the leader, and unfortunately the congregants have expected them to do it all. All five are needed. 

Each of these offices have a different function, and they must be recognized  and released. A new wine is being poured out and wineskins will have to change to contain it. I believe the Lord is leading us from a ‘church culture (pastoral/teacher led government) into Kingdom government, which includes all five leadership gifts functioning well together with Jesus as the Head. 

I have noticed that man apostles and prophets who have not been understood or allowed to function in their church have often gone to the marketplace to lead. I believe many of these 'marketplace apostles' are the ones who will lead the way of Agents of Transformation in our cities. (you can read more about apostlic funcion/office in another blog). 

P.S. Transformational stories can be heard and watched on www.harvestevan.orgwebsite.