A week or so ago I came across this short list of some of the challenges facing the Church in 2008 and beyond. A lot of what is contained here really resonated strongly with me for the season we’re now in. In fact, reading much of it quickens my heart-rate and totally excites me for the future.

Sixty one key Charismatic/Pentecostal leaders in the American Church gathered recently to seek the face of God for 2008. They began their gathering by kneeling together to repent of the pride that has tainted the American church. At the end of their time together they made the following statement outlining the challenges they believe God had spoken to them about during their time in His presence.

1. We must open themselves to the experience of personal revival. We must rediscover the power of fasting. We must study the Word in order to hear from God more powerfully. We must get back to a simplicity of devotion to Jesus.

2. We must embrace humility by being genuine, touchable and accessible. God is raising up a new breed of leader today who will display “anointing without arrogance, boldness without brashness, and power without pride.”

3. We are experiencing gracious judgment. Gracious judgment, is where God corrects us but leads us to repentance and obedience. We must be men and women of character in a world of compromise.

4. We must balance the prosperity message. God is calling us to a higher standard of ethics, integrity and corporate governance. We must teach our people “to give extravagantly, not expecting anything in return” instead of suggesting that people should “give to get.”

5. It’s time to get back to evangelism. Our priorities must return to soul-winning and discipleship. While stressing the absolute importance of the presence and power of God in our churches, we must guard against an inordinate emphasis on manifestations of the Holy Spirit. We must get back to the core doctrines of the Bible, and test all things.

6. We must root out racism in the church. Unless we develop a true “kingdom DNA” in our churches-by welcoming and celebrating all ethnic groups-we will not successfully impact our culture or enact biblical justice on issues such as immigration policy.

7. Holiness is not an option. We must learn to restore those who fall but we also must focus on how to prevent moral failure - which will require a new emphasis on holy living.

8. God is calling us to transform society. Western culture is becoming increasingly hostile to the Christian faith. We must not run from our calling to transform culture but engage in a kingdom mission to effect change. We believe that Christians for too long have viewed politics, education and the financial realm as evil when we must see those arenas as mountains to claim for Christ.

[via: APN Newsletter]

What about you? Does anything in that list confirm in you something God’s been saying to you? Does anything stir your heart?