What Is the Place of the Prophetic in the Church? – Christine Westhoff, USA | The 24-7 Prayer Podcast
Oct 3, 2024
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Join Christine Westhoff, author of 'Reframing the Prophetic' and founder of Akouo Ministries, as she dives into the intriguing world of prophetic ministry in the church. She discusses the true essence of Biblical prophecy and how to foster a safe, accountable environment for it. Enjoy hilarious anecdotes of prophetic missteps, emphasizing the importance of humility and community. Christine also highlights the role of prophetic expressions beyond church walls and the transformative power of stillness in connecting with God.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of reassessing the role of prophecy in the church to ensure it inspires growth and directs believers toward God's intentions.
It highlights the necessity of accountability in prophetic ministry, advocating for a community-based approach to test and nurture prophetic words for integrity and safety.
Deep dives
The Essence of Prayer
Prayer is described as a profound communion with God, serving as a vital connection point for individuals seeking intimacy with the divine. It encompasses various forms of engagement, whether through dialogue, worship, or simply being in God's presence. The personal nature of prayer highlights its significance in the speaker's life, equating it to breath and essential for spiritual existence. The discussion emphasizes that prayer is not confined to formalities or specific methodologies but is an organic expression of one's relationship with God.
Understanding Prophecy
Prophecy is articulated as divine communication meant to align the people with God’s covenant, which shifts from the Old Testament laws to the New Testament promise of Jesus. The speaker acknowledges the varying interpretations of prophecy across different denominations and underscores its purpose to guide and edify the church. A crucial aspect is that prophecy should function to direct believers toward God’s intentions rather than becoming a source of confusion or division. This aligns with the overall mission to draw the church closer to Jesus and to fulfill the divine purpose in the world.
The Role of Comfort in Prophetic Ministry
There is a call to reconsider the tendency to prioritize comfort over the more challenging aspects of prophecy, which includes direction and correction. The discussion highlights that while edification is essential, the church's mission often requires uncomfortable truths and calls to action. This conversation reveals a tension in how the prophetic is practiced today, pointing out that true prophetic ministry should address both encouragement and challenging the status quo. The speaker advocates for a balanced approach that recognizes the need for both comfort and courage in living out the calling of God.
Testing and Weighing Prophetic Words
The need for accountability in prophetic ministry is emphasized, highlighting that prophetic words should be tested and weighed by the church community. This accountability serves not only to protect individuals from erroneous claims but also to elevate the integrity of the prophetic ministry as a whole. Encouraging a culture where mistakes can be made and learned from fosters growth and helps individuals feel secure in sharing what they believe is from God. The dual responsibility of both the prophetic individual and the church community in discerning and nurturing this gift is crucial for effective spiritual leadership.
Prophetic ministry has encouraged so many people over the years – and hurt people, too. What does the church need to consider and change about the way we think about prophecy?
In this episode, Hannah and Brian are joined by Christine Westhoff, author of Reframing the Prophetic and founder of Akouo ministries. They look at what Biblical prophecy is (and isn’t!), consider how to make sure prophetic ministry is safe and trustworthy, and, finally, they swap some stories of times they’ve (sometimes hilariously) gotten it wrong.
Be inspired to grow in prayer and be equipped to pray for awakening with The 24-7 Prayer Podcast, hosted by Brian Heasley and Hannah Heather.
You can listen to the podcast here, at https://www.24-7prayer.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts from.
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