Challenges in the 21st Century Reformation of the Church
In 1995, William A. Beckham published a book in which he boldly identified a phenomenon that had been taking place in
the body of Christ. It so significantly reshaped the church that he equated it as a second reformation. This phenomenon
in some way sums up the great 20th century of missiological breakthroughs: phenomenal church growth, restoration of
the Charismata (gifts of the Holy Spirit), organizational unity of the church and emerging non-western forms of Christianity.
1. Emerging house church movement in China.
2. Home group movement in Korea
3. Cell church movement from Singapore and Nigeria
4. G-12 churches from Latin America
5. Transformation networks that lead to global evangelism, global prayer and trans-denominational initiatives with
mega-churches leading the initiatives.
The 20th century churches rallied together under the banner of the A.D. 2000 and Beyond Movement to finish the task
of the Great Commission before the turn of the century (not unlike those in the 19th century who had heeded the
challenge of D.L. Moody to reach the nations in their generation). The activity of the Holy Spirit in this century has
brought a great sense of triumph to the church. At the end of the 20th century, the frontier of missions had been
narrowed greatly to very clear clusters of unreached people groups.
In this session, in light of the mandate of The Luke 18 Project, we will seek to address some remaining questions.
What are the great challenges for the church of Jesus Christ in the 21st century? Is there a need for the church to be
further reformed? If so, what are the challenges that await the church of Jesus Christ? What is the Scripture saying
about the destiny of the church before the end of the age?
Challenges in the 21st century reformation of the Church:
1. Reformation in the understanding of the Great Commission - (depth as well as width)
The Fullness of Christ’s stature as well as the fullness of the harvest at the end of age. The rebuilding of the
tabernacle of David which has fallen.
(Matt. 28:18-20, Rev. 19:7-10, Eph. 4:11-16, Acts 1:8, Acts 15:15-17)
2. Reformation in the church’s organic structure for a sustainable expansion of the church in the context of
perpetual prayer and perpetual encounter.
(Luke 18:1-8, Acts 2, Acts 4:4, Acts 6, Acts 9:31, Acts 12:24; Acts 19:20; John 5:39, Rev. 1-3; Rev. 4-5, Heb. 12:23)
3. Reformation in the understanding of the Great Commandment in the context of a Bride that is mature in love.
Song of Solomon 8:6-8.
(Rev. 19:7-10, Eph. 4:11-16, Rev. 21:9, Rev. 22:17)
4. Reformation of the equipping of the saints in the context of night and day worship and prayer with fasting. All
the gifts of the Spirit coming into operations in the body of Christ for equipping, edification and evangelism.
(Matt. 9:15, Luke 18:1-8, Eph. 4:11-16, Is. 56:7, Mark 11:17)
5. Reformation of the identity of the church as the Bride who functions primarily as a house of prayer for all
nations.
(Eph. 5:23-32, 2 Cor. 11:1-3, Rev. 22:17)
6. Reformation in the content of preaching- preachers who have the knowledge of God, the Day of the Lord
and the Gospel of the kingdom of God.
(Matt. 24:14)
7. Reformation in the understanding of the frontiers of world missions and God’s prophetic strategy to complete
the Great Commission.
(Matt. 24:14, Luke 18:1-8, Rom. 11:25-26)
1. Gospel of the kingdom of God
2. Nations and salvation of Israel
3. Fullness of stature in Christ
4. Night and Day prayer and worship on the earth
5. Unity of faith