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What is Presence-Based Transformation?
Transformation is one of the hottest topics in Christendom, but the word does not have a commonly accepted definition. This has led many to adopt an “anything goes” approach that has diluted the term of its inherent power and meaning. All too often definitions are derived from our inventory of available resources rather than the revelation of Scripture. In Matthew chapter six Jesus declared to his disciples, “This is how you should pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.”
With these brief words we are reminded that God’s presence and purposes are to be the central focus of human society. They are to be realized and promoted not in some limited, religious manner, but as they are in heaven. In the words of the prophet Isaiah we are to “give (ourselves] no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem (or Chicago, Richmond, London or Singapore) and makes her the praise of the earth” (Isaiah 62:6-7). We are to “renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations” (Isaiah 61:4). If we do this, Ezekiel promises, “the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE” (Ezekiel 48:35). While many Christians assume transforming revival is about growing congregations, it is actually a matter of renaming or re-identifying our cities!
Because transforming revival is a principle-based enterprise we can anticipate what God will respond to—namely humility, holiness, repentance, prayer, worship, compassion, faith (II Chronicles 7:14, Isaiah 58:9-12, Isaiah 62:6-7, Hosea 6:3). This allows us to prepare the way of the Lord with confidence: “If my people will..” then “I will heal their land” There is no presumption here, only obedience. He has removed all mystery from the discussion. We can also safely predict what the fruit of transformation will look like—because, again, God’s Word describes it for us (Psalm 144:14, Isaiah 1:26, Acts 11:20-24, Acts 19:18-20) and because we have seen it in microcosm in the lives of redeemed individuals. What we cannot be certain of are the means by which God will accomplish his purposes. These are as unique as snowflakes, fingerprints, and... cities.
If revival were, as some claim, the product of arbitrary dictate, faith would not even enter the equation. We could only hope that God might one day include our community on his revival itinerary. There would be no principles to apply, no guidelines to follow, no promises to expect, and no certainty of success.
But if we cannot please God in the absence of faith (Hebrews 11:6), neither is faith to be used as an instrument of manipulation. We do not summon God’s presence in order to repair our broken communities, we summon him because we cannot bear to live another day apart from his touch. We seek a lover, not a handyman. If we will make his kingdom purposes our priority (Matthew 6:33), He will come. And when He comes, He will arrive with healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2).
The term transformation, in its most generic sense, refers to a process of change; a process wherein a person, place, concept, circumstance or thing shifts from one form or condition to another. It is the word that naturally comes to mind when we think of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.
The concept’s most relevant and compelling application however is a descriptor of God’s broad spiritual handiwork. On a personal level He transforms our lives through the renewing of our minds (see Romans 12:2). On a family level He recasts our relational dysfunction into models of mutual respect and support. On a church level He replaces forms of godliness with genuine spiritual life and power. And this is only the beginning. In many parts of the world God’s transforming grace is now touching entire neighborhoods and villages. Indeed there are even reports of newly transformed cities, regions and nations.
Although rapid and substantial church growth is an important part of these corporate transformations, it does not fully define them. For the term transformation to be properly applied to a community, change must be evident not only in the lives of its inhabitants, but also in the fabric of its institutions. In the end, it is dramatic social, political, and even ecological renewal that sets these cases apart from common experience.
Upon hearing this, many people assume that community transformation is simply another word for revival. This is understandable, but it is also incorrect. Revival is an umbrella term that describes the entire process of change (including personal renewal and evangelistic breakthrough) whereas transformation more accurately defines a specific result or destination. In most cases, this means that the Holy Spirit will be at work (in revival) long before transformation becomes visible.
For the term transformation to be properly applied to a community, change must be evident not only in the lives of its inhabitants, but also in the fabric of its institutions. In the end, it is dramatic social, political, and even ecological renewal that sets these cases apart from common experience.
In short, a transformed community is...
A neighborhood, city or nation whose values and institutions have been overrun by the grace and presence of God. It is a place where divine fire has not merely been summoned, it has fallen. A society in which natural evolutionary change has been disrupted by invasive supernatural power and a culture that has been impacted comprehensively and undeniably by the Kingdom of God. A location where kingdom values are celebrated publicly and passed on to future generations!
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