The prophet's handbook

Analytical, probing, and astute

Portrait of Church Prophet Distinctives What is very important in selecting a prophet of the church is an understanding of the qualities and traits that do not make for a compatible church prophet. As with any other organization’s staff or departments, God’s prophets come in an array of different designations. Some are designated to one level and others to a higher or lower one. Those levels may be national, community, global, or local. When it comes to the church prophet in the local church, it is best to install a prophet who is more home-base-minded than one with a national or international passion. A basic homebody character in a person translates to a homebody prophet. Your church prophet should not be elsewhere more than he or she is with you. The church prophet also should not resent having to be in church or actively involved in the spiritual life of your congregation, favoring instead his or her field ministry trips above all else. You will know the home-based prophet by his or her conversation. It is usually centered around the house of God, the condition of a specific congregation, and the importance of a prophetic presence in the church as a watch force for the Lord on the pastor’s behalf. If a prophet’s sights are more field-minded than church-minded, chances are that he or she will not do well confined to your church. Listen to a potent church prophet’s conversation and explore his or her ministry vision a bit before deciding to set him or her over your membership. While it might be glamorous to have a world prophet on staff, sound judgment indicates that global and national prophets are best used as advisers. They can make poor local church prophets. Their messages can be too high above the people’s heads far too often, and their visions for your church more for the corporate body of Christ. That means what God is issuing to the worldwide body could be dumped on your church, though it may not be applicable to it. Besides this, the global or national prophet may be great for fortifying missions outreach from time to time, but when it comes to succoring the individual needs of the flock, its issues may appear petty to the prophet in comparison. Such a prophet of the church could react callously, unintentionally or not, to the perceived childish needs and plights of the local body. Lastly, the world-class prophet may also come off unwittingly as superior to the local pastor, deeming his vision and methods trite in contrast to the needs of the world front.