Much has been said and written about the 'Toronto blessing' at the
Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (TACF)
and the revival at The Brownsville Assemblies of
God, Pensacola.
There has been much
critical comment and unfavourable comparison. These notes are
intended to show that the two streams are complimentary, they
support each other and indeed are only part of a wider picture.
Comments to the effect that one or other have been superseded
are equally inaccurate.
I have been to TACF (July 1998) so I can testify to the vibrant and
on-going presence of God at that venue. Many of my Canadian
friends have joined that church and testify of the quality of the
ministry. Friends have been to Brownsville recently, and have
equally strong and personal testimony about the spiritual
atmosphere in that church.
The following notes, are taken partly from a talk by Barry and Joyce Boucher (PAOC pastors from Ottawa), given at TACF on Friday, 10th October 1997.(tape available from TACF).
The
most important thing to remember is: keep hold of the 'big
picture': which is one of renewal and revival. (I'm not going to try to
distinguish between the two here). It is too easy to become an adversary
against that with which you are not comfortable. By doing that
you make God too small, diminishing Him and His authority. As He
accelerates what He is doing in the next few years, pray
continually that the box that we have put God into is broken down.
No one is an expert and we have to continually learn about what
God has for us.
The promise of God to Joel (ch 2 vs 28-32) to 'pour out my Spirit on
all people ... and everyone who calls on the name will be saved'
is for all people and nations. This is the time, the spirit is
being poured out, and TACF and Brownsville are two instances of
this happening. And to paraphrase Is 43 18-19, 'don't live in the
past, I will do something fresh', it is fresh , it is different,
and God is doing it in His own way, and ignoring our efforts and
our traditions. As Barry put it:
'natural christianity is being superceded by supernatural christianity'.
Why
is he doing this? Well, an eye doctor will put a patch on a good
eye in order to help a lazy eye. We have our doctrines, theology,
creeds and we understand how these work. These are our strengths.
God is patching our good eye to encourage our weaknesses: which
include our understanding of the person of the spirit, the work
of the spirit, the gifts, the fruit of the spirit and the
anointing. Not just to strengthen them for their own sake but
because the spirit and the word agree. God is teaching us to use
His Word in a different way.
Barry tells of many prophetic words that point to the special place of
Canada in His plan, and the outpouring of the spirit is just beginning
in Toronto (starting in July 1994).
Key features of the Toronto 'blessing' are
tangible , transferable anointing, the laying on of hands causes the transfer of the anointing of God.
the love of God
the grace of God
the mercy of God
God
has transformed his sanctuary into his living room, and just
wants to enjoy his people enjoying themselves. God wants to do
more in his church, more than we can conceive.
Barry has been to Brownsville and wanted whatever God had for him and
his church leaders, and they experienced repentance, and
cleansing.
The sword of the Word has two edges:
The renewal edge: if you allow it to, it will cut you free.
The revival edge: if you don't deal with sin and the things of
your heart; it will cut you off.
Here is Barry's comparison, many features of which he has implemented,
but they have to be adapted to fit churches other than Toronto
and Brownsville. They are a set of tools to equip the church to
minister the gospel. Once again South America adds a whole new
dimension, and God is continuing to add to these tools, all
around the world. We cannot say the one OR the other is correct,
we have to recognise that BOTH are valid.
| Toronto | Brownsville |
|---|---|
| Canada, Canadians say: Why? wait for someone else, then follow, conservative |
USA, Americans say: Why not? a pioneering spirit |
| international City | resort town |
| snow belt | sun belt |
| local Church | local Church |
| non traditional spirit filled (casual dress) |
traditional Assemblies of God (business dress) |
| nameless and faceless | Pastor and Evangelist |
| the sermon times are 'talks' | 'full out' preaching |
| refreshing renewal (within the church) | repentance and revival (going after the lost) |
| the water, the river of the holy spirit | the fire of the holy spirit |
| the father's heart | the blood of Jesus and the cross |
| God's love | Deal with sin, because the wrath is coming. |
| unconditional acceptance | mercy seat: you are accepted provided you deal with your sin. |
| joy | weeping |
| soaking | shaking, so that which is eternal remains |
| receiving | conviction |
| work of the spirit | word of God (the two agree) |
| loving saviour | severe, serious judge: deal with sin |
| relaxed | intense |
| heart issues | issues of behaviour, habits and immorality |
| return to first love | first time decisions for Christ |
| prodigals | the lost |
| altar calls are gentle | altar calls are confrontational |
| the wedding and the bride | a funeral |
| prayer lines (orderly) | sounds chaotic from Barry's description! |
| sheep gate | fish gate |
| sandals off (worshipping on holy ground) | sandals on (time to go after Pharaoh) |
| learn to hear God's heartbeat | learn to be a good fisherman |
None of these items are definitive!
Barry acknowledges that if he
had gone to Brownsville before going to Toronto that he would
have 'abused the church.... tore them to pieces'. (Repentance without love leads to
legalism.)
Coming into the move of the spirit requires humility, and the
willingness to let God go in several different directions at the
same time (why not? He's big enough).
Toronto and Brownsville are
two of God's 'Hot Spots' in the move of His spirit, but there are
many all around the world. The Alpha
course in
England has revolutionised people's lives within the traditional
(Church of England) structure. South America is something else!!
and is about spiritual warfare. In South Africa, evangelists are
reaping the fruits sown by Livingstone and many other
missionaries.
Final comment made to me in Toronto, there are more things going on in England
than in Canada, and as time goes on I am hearing about them, and experiencing them. They may not be well known, but soon they will come together in a way that we cannot, even yet, conceive.
Last Modified: 24th November 2003