While reflecting on our current series, inTenT. Matt Lane had the following words and pictures. Please take time to reflect on them and pray that we would structure ourselves for the flexibility and growth of the Kingdom of God.

Army tents come in all shapes and sizes

2 man

9x9 ft

12x12 ft

18x24 F

However, the latter three can all be added on to, so the tent curtains can be pulled wider, the height bigger, and the stakes and cords bigger (with the extra securing guy ropes) for strength and stability.

We need to be adaptable, not fixed like a two-man tent with no room (maybe warm and cosy), yes you could have many two-man tents in an area but not joined and therefore not cohesive, but we have to interchange to adapt to the needs of the Church so we can multiply (Mat 28:19 Passion: now wherever you go, make disciple of all nations (that include Trowbridge, Corsham, Bradford on Avon wherever you are) baptising them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). and also allow space for breath to breathe on dry bones. (Ezk 37 3-4 MSG; He said to me "Son of man, can these dry bones live? I said Master God, only you know that. He said to me Prophesy over these dry bones, Dry bones listen to the word of God....) We need space for the dry bones, your family, friends, colleagues. Whilst we have breath we can bring life to dry bones (those that do not yet know Jesus as King or have walked away and gone stale and dry...

To get bigger and interchangeable as a church we need to work together, pull together, build together. It will quite likely get bumpy rather than cosy and comfortable. But with Jesus as King, God our Master and Holy Spirit flowing with freedom our burdens will be his burdens and our yokes lightened with his strength. I feel that God is saying we need to be willing to up our game.

To build our tents not a two-man tent but enough for all, so we can build and plant, build and plant, build and plant despite the battles, there will be blessings.