Raking the Stall: Embracing the Messy Blessing of Prophetic Ministry: 

Raking the Stall: Embracing the Messy Blessing of Prophetic Ministry: 

For forty years, I’ve walked alongside the Bride of Christ, serving in the trenches of local churches and witnessing the vast tapestry of God’s Kingdom unfold across a network of congregations. In that time, I’ve encountered the extraordinary, the mundane, and everything in between. One particular area that continues to spark both fervent hope and understandable apprehension is the realm of prophetic ministry.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I understand the hesitation. I’ve seen it firsthand. The stories are real, etched in the hearts of pastors and lay leaders who have diligently sought God’s voice for their congregations. The unseasoned prophet, the one operating outside of accountability, the individual whose own ego overshadows the divine message – these can leave a trail of confusion, hurt, and even spiritual trauma in their wake. Pastors, weary from the demands of shepherding their flock, are often understandably reluctant to introduce a potential source of further disruption. They’ve cleaned up the messes, navigated the fallout of misspoken words, and patiently ministered to those wounded by prophetic pronouncements that failed to align with God’s heart or the reality of their lives.

I, too, have stood amidst the debris. I’ve witnessed the bewildered faces, the offended spirits, and the legitimate scandal that can arise when prophetic ministry goes awry. The “mixed bag” is an accurate description. Some encounters leave the congregation deeply encouraged, edified, and equipped. Others leave behind a residue of doubt, division, and disillusionment.

So, the question naturally arises: why persist? Why, after decades of witnessing the potential pitfalls, would I still advocate for the inclusion of prophetic voices within the local church? The answer, I believe, lies within the very Word of God. Proverbs 14:4 offers a profound insight: “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.”

This simple proverb speaks volumes to our situation. A “clean manger,” in this context, can represent a church that avoids potential conflict and keeps things predictable. Without the “ox” – the powerful, sometimes messy, and undeniably impactful force – the environment remains neat and tidy. However, the proverb doesn’t celebrate this sterility. Instead, it highlights the trade-off: a clean stall comes at the cost of “abundant crops.” The ox, in its labor, inevitably creates a mess, but its strength is what yields a plentiful harvest.

I believe the prophetic voice, when rightly discerned and stewarded, is that “ox” within the church. It carries a unique strength, an ability to plow new ground in our hearts, to break up fallow areas, and to sow seeds of vision and direction directly from the heart of God. To forgo this vital ministry out of a fear of the mess is to potentially limit the abundant harvest God desires for His people.

Review and Reflection:

The wisdom shared from four decades of ministry carries significant weight. The author doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the very real dangers and difficulties associated with unseasoned or uncontrolled prophetic ministry. This honesty builds credibility and resonates with those who have experienced similar challenges. The analogy of the ox and the clean manger is particularly powerful and biblically grounded, offering a compelling framework for understanding the inherent tension between potential mess and potential blessing.

The author’s reflection highlights a crucial point often overlooked: the absence of prophetic ministry can lead to a deficit in the spiritual life of a congregation. While comfort and predictability have their place, they should not come at the expense of encountering God’s direct and often challenging word. The willingness to embrace the “mess” for the sake of the potential “profit” demonstrates a deep understanding of the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable nature of the Holy Spirit’s work.

A Five-Point Call to Action for Embracing Prophetic Ministry:

Based on this wisdom and reflection, I believe there are practical steps we can take as the body of Christ to cultivate healthy and impactful prophetic ministry within our congregations:

1. Prioritize Discernment and Accountability: Pastors and church leaders must exercise diligent discernment when inviting prophetic voices. This involves prayerful consideration, researching the individual’s track record and reputation within the wider Christian community, and establishing clear lines of accountability. No prophet should operate in isolation. They should be submitted to the leadership and the established biblical framework of the local church.

2. Educate and Equip the Congregation: Teach your people what biblical prophecy is and is not. Help them understand the difference between a genuine word from the Lord and personal interpretation or opinion. Equip them with the tools to weigh and test prophetic utterances in light of Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21). This fosters a discerning community that can receive and process prophetic input in a healthy way.

3. Foster a Culture of Grace and Correction: When prophetic words miss the mark or are delivered poorly, the response should be one of grace and loving correction, not condemnation. Create a safe environment where prophets can learn and grow. This requires humility on the part of both the prophet and the leadership. Remember, iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).

4. Integrate Prophetic Ministry Intentionally: Don’t treat prophetic ministry as a sporadic event. Seek to integrate it thoughtfully into the life of the church, perhaps through prophetic teams, regular teaching on prophecy, or designated times for sharing and discerning prophetic words within a structured setting. This allows for ongoing development and integration rather than isolated incidents.

5. Pray for the Spirit of Prophecy: Above all, earnestly seek the Lord for the gift of prophecy within your own congregation. Pray for individuals to be raised up who are humble, accurate, and committed to serving the body of Christ with integrity. The greatest safeguard against unhealthy prophetic ministry is the cultivation of mature, Spirit-filled prophets within your own church community.

Brothers and sisters, let us not shy away from the “ox” because we fear the “mess.” Let us instead embrace the potential for “much profit” that comes from engaging with the prophetic voice in a wise, discerning, and accountable manner. May we be churches that are willing to “rake out the stall” for the sake of the abundant harvest God desires to bring forth in our midst. Amen.