GlocalNet

I’ve been around a lot of networks, denominations, and other groups - but I’ve got to tell you that none are any more impressive, effective or fascinating to me than New Frontiers.  I feel in many ways more at home with this group than any I’ve been around.  Why?

First, they are open to God and how he moves.  Their group is more of an adventure journey kind of group where they are following God, holding on to what he has revealed to them - but not fearing to forge forward.  They have around 250 churches in the UK and around 700-800 around the world.  Yes, they have their theology, their structure, their leadership - but it is all subject to the move of God and the leading of the Spirit - the institution and constitution supports the move of God - not the institution.

Second, they are passionate about the Holy Spirit.  How can you live in this world, want to serve God, make a difference and not be open to the Spirit?  Rather have too much emphasis on the Spirit than too little.  Better to clean up a little mess, than have no mess at all.  The Kingdom of God is not always tidy.  They believe in the Spirit, practice the gifts of the Spirit, but more importantly are directed by the Spirit in moment by moment encounters and guidance by him.  I was with them for a 2 day prayer and fasting event.  NEVER been to one of those - they have around 250 churches in the UK, but had 800+ at the conference - not much preaching - only sharing, prophetic words, and intense prayer - a lot of worship also.  They are reformed - and one thing I am convinced - to be reformed as much emphasis on pneumatology as soteriology - preferably more - turns out religious tyrants and dead men walking. 

Third, they value the Bible and strong theology.  These are not lightweights.  Be ready to know your dead white guys from the past 500 years - they can quote them backwards and forwards.  They are reformed - which sounds so much better to me than “Calvinist.”  What makes them different is that they believe God is still speaking and the best is yet to come - so they don’t stop with Calvin or Luther.  I was amazed at several global pastors that they have here in England - and they are all sharp.

Fourth, they plant churches - you hear stories about it non-stop.  Planters would share where God was leading them and what they were doing. Their theology doesn’t immobilize them, but supports and drives their activity.

Fifth - they have some incredibly sharp guys that are young and emerging.  I saw lots of young pastors not just in 30’s and 40’s but 20’s and they were sharp young guys I enjoyed a lot.  I met and just got to know Adrian Warnock - we had a blast.  No small lightweight.

Sixth - I love their leaders - Terry Virgo is the epitome of a godly man - not just in his understanding of the Bible and theology - but in the kindness, gentleness, and fatherly persona he exudes.  David Stroude in London is sharp - I was able to have a conversation with him on global affairs and engaging society in a way that I rarely am able to do with pastors.  John Lanferman who heads up their US work has a sweeping imagination encompassing perspective on the world and America.  David - that’s all I’ll say - don’t want to say too much - heads up their global stuff and is phenomenal. 

Are they perfect?  No - but they sure come close!  What amazed me most, was Terry Virgo was in a small gathering of global pastors - and was like a sponge soaking up and at one point said “This is revolutionary to me and we need to rethink some things” - don’t know that I’ve ever heard a 71 year old leader of an Apostolic movement say anything like that before - let it be so, for me, God.  March 3-4 he’s speaking at a conference called REFORMED - MISSIONAL - CHARISMATIC.  I’m going to try to go - it’s in Tacoma with him, Jeff V., and I’m not sure who the other guy is - but if you can hear Terry - you really should.

People say England is dead spiritually - I don’t believe it - give `em enough NEW FRONTIERS people and you’ll see that change.