How To Start A Prayer Walking Ministry

Here is what I would do (and have done!):

1) Start a Prayer Walker Team.

2) Pick a consistent day and time (Sunday afternoons and/or evenings in the Summer often work well) and begin to Prayer Walk. (If at first you can't get anyone interested then you go ahead and start, take and show pictures, and talk about the people you met and talked to and the experiences you had each week at church.)

3) After each organized prayer walk have a mission debrief: "What did you see?" / "Who did you see/interact with?" / "How did God speak to you?" (You will get tons of data and info from these debrief sessions, and what you are revealing through them are the needs in your community/area that God can use you to incarnationally begin to meet.  (When I lead the "iWalk" trainings I talk the folks who show up for the training through this process.)

4) Plan on setting a goal of covering a specific area or areas that are of significance to your church and congregation.  Hang up a map and highlight the streets walked until the map is completely highlighted.  Once you achieve that goal, celebrate the accomplishment with a worship and celebration time but also use it to begin to envision and plan ministry outreaches to that area based on the "What? Who? and How?" questions above.

5) The next step is the surveying of that specific area so you can find out who you are being called to reach and what their real-life needs are.  As you collect the hard data from your target area (which you have already covered in prayer) crunch the info and follow up with incarnational ministry and outreaches to that area that you have prayed for and surveyed.  The key here is that you are letting God speak to you from and through your mission field and you are responding now in relevant ministry to these needs that have been revealed. (I can provide you a survey that is adaptable to your church or community.)

6) God will begin bringing you people through this process, and now you have got to be prepared to and begin to welcome them and help them find real connections and to help facilitate the building of relationships with others who can help them grow in their faith and their relationship with Jesus.  The real people you will be reaching truly want the church to be both relevant, and a place where they can make real connections and have real relationships.  Having and starting Small groups and Home groups that you can plug them Into is key here.

7) As your prayer walkers begin to rediscover their community through walking through it and feeling the burden of the Lord for specific areas of need or ministry possibilities, it is also important to empower them and help them begin to get involved in real ministry in these area.  This is the point where I would always start a "SWAT (Servants With Angelic Tendencies) Team."  Which was a charted breakdown of areas of ministry and need revealed through prayer walking that you can organize specific teams made up of persons with a heart for that area of need or ministry.  Then, turn them loose to be the Church through these teams.  It's a "High Trust, Low Control, with High Accountability" empowerment and I can answers specific questions about how to do this.

SWAT TEAM (team examples)

1) The Prayer Walker Team

2) Community Disaster Response Team (aka DRT or "Dirt" Team)

3) Community Crisis or Critical Incident Intervention Team

4) School & Community Outreach Team

5) Community Survey Team

6) Hospital & Home  Visitation Team

7) Addiction & Recovery Team

Etc. (The idea here is that you identify and empower teams of people to work together to meet the revealed needs in your mission field)

Then...

You repeat the process.  I have found prayer walking to be a tremendous source of inspiration, interaction and information regarding real "Jesus With Skin On" (incarnational) ministry.  And, as you empower your SWAT teams, you create a leadership factory that helps produce real people in real ministry in real ways in their community.

If I can be of any help to you or your church in any aspect of this process, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Keep on Keepin' on IN Jesus!

- Rob Schmutz

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Forward Progress?

Forward Progress?

2 John 1:9 "Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son."

There seem to be a whole lot of folks out there today running forward as fast as they can and calling themselves "progressives" as they do.  Progressive... man, that really is a great word isn't it?

But, when someone calls themselves progressive today, it seems naturally to imply that anyone who is in disagreement with whatever they themselves might be intent about progressing forward, then... well... that person must be a... regressive, or uninformed, or unenlightened...

Personally speaking, I'm all for progress.  I love moving things forward, especially if... ultimately it involves reaching new and more people with the good news of the transformational message of the gospel.  And, if the reality of the progress involves introducing people to the power of God's Spirit and helping them find freedom from Sin, Compulsion, Addiction and whatever other kinds of bondage our world so readily offers today, then I'm all for it!

The Scripture above is a reminder to all of us who are followers of Jesus, that it's okay to run ahead, to make and to push forward for progress, if...  If we continue forward with the Word and in the teachings of Christ.  If, however, we run forward, and in so doing... abandon the teachings... we do so... without God.  But, whoever (runs forward or progresses ahead and) "...continues in the teaching, has both the Father and the Son."

And, truly, that's the progress we need as the Church as we all keep on keepin' on in Jesus!

For Tomorrow, Now

This just came to me this AM and I felt like someone might need to hear it today:

"Joshua told the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.'" Joshua 3:5

"for tomorrow..."  How easy it is to fall into the trap of forgetting that tomorrow, through faith, is designed by God to be an amazing day.  It can so easily become our default reality to subconsciously assume that "yesterday" was a better day, and that years ago was when things were as they should be.  Sadly, we can choose to live in the false or faithless reality of believing that our best days are behind us.

Faith, however, suggests something far different.  Faith, and the reality it calls me to live in, reminds me that today I can prepare for the best that God has prepared for me in my tomorrow with Him.

Help me, Lord, to live today as a means of consecrating myself, in faith, believing that my tomorrow with You is going to bless my socks off!

"...Things which eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, nor has ever entered into the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him."  1 Corinthians 2:9

Yesterday I stood...

Since Sunday morning, I've been out here in Morton County, Kansas preaching a revival in the community of Elkhart, meeting the people, seeing the sights, and taking it all in.  And, believe me, out here in Morton County, there is a lot to see, and what you see, goes on forever and ever.

Yesterday I stood and prayed at an interesting point here in the State of Kansas.  It's a place called "Three Point" or "Eight-Mile Corner."  "Three Point" is literally in the very corner of Kansas, and is where the State lines of Kansas, Oklahoma & Colorado all come together.  There is a Survey Plate in the middle of a dusty, nondescript, country road that marks the precise location, and on the Kansas side there is an old windmill tower (the "Three State Windmill") with what looks like a "wrought-iron" weathervane with a buffalo on top of it and the words "KANS, COLO and OKLA" all pointing in their respective directions.

As I stood there in that place and looked back over my State, a State that had been home to me all of my life, and that had been home to my family ever since my Great, Great Grandfather headed west and homesteaded in Dickinson, County, back in the 1860's, in that moment I just stood there and felt the weight and significance of that place.  What swept over me at the very moment I stood there, was the realization that there were in that very instant, so many simultaneous things going on in my State.  There were "business-as-usual" or "everyday-Kansas-things" to be sure, unpredictable weather, work, chores, taxes, traffic, deadlines, road maintenance, school, life, the family hustle and bustle, the daily grind, but in this moment there was also more...  there were other things going on, heavier things happening, unsettling things taking place in that very instant... tragic things, difficult things, life threatening things, families struggling, people trying to figure out where to turn and what to do, there were property losses, community evacuations and... fires... spreading...

A sense of what I can only best call a "passionate, tragic, immediacy" hit me as I was standing there.  It was almost as if I could "see" or "feel" all of Kansas in that instant, and all spread out before me.  Though I can't fully describe what I saw, or felt, or experienced, I think it was the closest thing to what the Old Testament refers to as "The Burden of the LORD..." that I have ever experienced in my life.  And, as I felt it, I knew that God desired a Statewide Spiritual Awakening.  It was crystal clear to me.  There was absolutely no doubt in my mind.  So, right there, my good friend, Pastor Keith Davis of the Elkhart Church of the Nazarene, and I prayed for that very thing, and as we did the image that came to my mind was an image of people, Kansas people, running to a fire, a fast moving, all consuming, uncontrollable fire, a fire that was not life threatening, or property damaging, but one that was instead, Life... Giving...

There is a sign as you enter Elkhart, Kansas, that welcomes you and also reminds you of Elkhart's nickname, or moniker, if you will.  Elkhart, here in Morton, County, is known as "The Cornerstone of Kansas."  Think about that for just a second.   

There was a time in the early history of Kansas when this territory and our fledgling State "to-be" was known as "Bleeding Kansas."  But, what if... Kansas, in our day, could be known as "Burning Kansas?"  Not because of destructive, out of control wildfires, but because of an outpouring of the Spirit of God as an answer to our prayers, drawing us to Him and into a future He has prepared for us.  And, (now this sounds really crazy...) what if the Spiritual fires of God's Grace, Mercy, Love, Forgiveness, Power, Passion, Holiness and Holy Spirit, ignited through our prayers lifted up here in Kansas, could lead to an all Consuming Fire of Spiritual Awakening that then swept our Nation?  Is it possible?

I think it is.  I want it to be.  I prayed for it yesterday as I prayed for our State and for a cessation of the fires that were burning, endangering and negatively impacting so much of our State and so many in so many ways.  I prayed for a New Fire, a New Great Awakening, from here at the Cornerstone of Kansas, all across our State, and... "Oh Lord let it be possible, all across our Nation.  Bring us back to you Lord.  Bring us back to You!  Whatever it takes, bring us back to You!  Bring us back to You as One Nation Under God, and let Kansas, let us, let me, play a Key Role in Your Perfect Will for Revival!  In Jesus Name, Amen!"

Living Out-loud

Is there any reason you shouldn't be living out-loud for Jesus today?

For most of us, the one thing that keeps us most effectively from living out-loud for Jesus, is fear.

Fear is an interesting thing...  it binds us up, holds us back, contains and restrains us and convinces us that we... can't.  And yet, if you think about it, fear isn't... really... even... real, it's just something going on in our brain.

Think of it, what would we do if we weren't afraid?  What might we become if not for fear?  If not for fear, what more might we dare, or do, or try, or attempt?

Today I want to dare you to choose to be unafraid.  Experiment with it in your walk with and in your witness for Jesus.  Believe today that you have been miraculously empowered by God with His power, His love, His mercy and His Grace, and that you are on this earth for a reason and... for a very limited time, and then do something about it, out-loud and in faith.

Chose today, this day, to not be afraid, and to live like you believe it to be true that Jesus is with you in every step that you take, in every encounter you have and in every word that you speak.  It is true, you know?  It's true!  This is our unique reality as followers of Jesus.

Now... all you have to do is to live it, out-loud.

So, What have you got to lose?

Today is a great day to fearlessly keep on keepin' on in Jesus!

Go for it!

https://youtu.be/XxkNj5hcy5E

(Isaiah 41:10, 2 Timothy 1:7, Matthew 28:19-20)

Watchman Evangelism UPDATED SPRING, SUMMER & FALL Preaching and Ministry Schedule So far...

Watchman Evangelism

UPDATED SPRING, SUMMER & FALL Preaching and Ministry Schedule So far:  

If you see dates that are OPEN and you would like to contact me about a revival, event, or speaking engagement, feel free to send me a direct FB Message, shoot me a text, or give me a call at (316)200-0156.

------------------------

MARCH 2017

3/5 - 3/8/17 - REVIVAL Elkhart Church of The Nazarene

3/12-16/2017 - COMMUNITY REVIVAL, Arnold NEBRASKA

3/19 - Preaching - Emporia First Church of the Nazarene. 9:30 AM & 6 PM

3/22 - iWalk - Teaching - Hutchinson Bethany Church of the Nazarene / family dinner 6:30pm & 7pm speak

3/26/17 - BOOKED / FAM SCHEDULE

APRIL 2017

4/2/17 - BOOKED / FAM SCHEDULE

4/8/17 - WEDDING

4/9/17 - REVIVAL, Lewis UMC, Lewis, KS

4/16/17 - EASTER SUN / JC Naz 4/15 & 4/16 - Preach pm and x2am

4/18-4/20 PAPILLION NEBRASKA, Teaching at DCPI-CPE

4/22 - 2nd Annual MOA Spring ClayShoot at Lynbrooke Sporting Clays in Augusta, KS.  Registration Begins at 11:30 / Shoot begins at 1pm

4/23-26 - Revival Winfield Church Of The Nazarene "iWalk" (Prayer Walk Event Built In)

4/30/17 - 5/3/17 Revival Paducah Kentucky, Paducah First Church of The Nazarene

MAY 2017

5/7/17 - "iWalk" presentation Codell, KS AM (Preach, PM Training)

5/14/17 - BOOKED FAMILY SCHEDULE

5/21/17 - 5/24 - Revival: Kingman Mennonite Church

5/28/17 - PREACHING - Bethel Church of The Nazarene, Johnson, KS

JUNE 2017

6/9 & 6/10 Rehearsal & Wedding

6/11 Preaching at Wichita Crossfire Church

JULY 2017

7/7/17 - Wedding

7/16-7/18 - KS Church Of The Nazarene District Assembly, Garden City, KS

7/21-7/23 - Natoma, KS, IMPACT 2017 Community Revival

7/28-30 - Booked Family

AUGUST 2017

8/6/17 - PREACHING - Bethel Church of The Nazarene, Johnson, KS

8/1317 - Open Date

8/20/17 - Open Date

8/25-8/31 - 3rd Annual MOA ELK HUNT, Colorado

8/27/17 - BOOKED MOA

SEPTEMBER 2017

9/3/17- Open Date

9/9-9/13/17 - REVIVAL Cimmaron Church of The Nazarene (starting with a meal on Saturday PM)

9/17/17 - 9/20 Westside Church of the Nazarene, 2300 S. Seneca St. Wichita, KS, 67212

9/21-24 - Attending Minister & Mates Retreat, Horn Creek, Co.

9/24/17 - Open Date

OCTOBER 2017

10/1 - 10/4/17 - Severy Church of The Nazarene.  

"iWalk Series"

10/8-10/11/17 - Medicine Lodge Revival, Medicine Lodge, KS Sun-Wed 

10/15/17 - Open Date

10/22/17 - Open Date

10/29/17 - BOOKED FAMILY SCHEDULE

NOVEMBER 2017

11/5/17 - Open Date

11/12/17 - Open Date

11/19/17 - Open Date

11/26/17 - Open Date

A Great Time To Pray For A New Great Awakening!

In Joshua Chapter 5, Joshua the new leader of his nation is facing an insurmountable obstacle and an extremely difficult set of circumstances.  In fact, the situation he and his nation are facing in the text is a logistical train wreck.  I can only imagine what carnage would be taking place among his people on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and SnapChat if Social Media were a thing in Joshua's day.

But, a cool thing happens in the midst of it all, Joshua has a God encounter.  He sees what looks to him like "...a man standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand...".  Joshua musters his courage and approaches the "man" and asks a very "human" question.  He says: "Are you for us or for our adversaries?"  The response Joshua gets to this question is stunning, the Angel says: "No...".  

Do you get it?  The Angel answers a question Joshua isn't asking.  In Joshua's question, he reveals that in reality, he has the wrong perspective.  Joshua doesn't realize it, but he himself is actually asking the wrong question from an egocentric, human, perspective.  Joshua is asking his question from his "me-niverse" and the answer he gets is not what he wanted to hear.  

The Angel provides an answer that, as Joshua's Spiritual eyes are opened, realigns Joshua's heart allegiances.  The Angel's complete answer is: "No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the LORD."  Now, watch what Joshua does when he begins to realize he has it all wrong!  "And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, 'What has my lord to say to his servant?'"

So...  what am I saying here?  I think what I'm trying to say is this; Friends, there is so much senseless and damaging verbal and relational carnage taking place on Social media right now.  And, there is so much anger, hate, and violence in our nation these days.  Our role as followers of Jesus is not to try to get God and others to be on our side, or to viciously attack those who we perceive as being on the "other side."  Our task is to be on God's side... and I think we get there most effectively when we respond like Joshua did, when he fell on his face and humbled himself in communication with God.  And, what might happen if we began to go there together, all of us, at the same time every day?

Personally speaking, I feel as if God is calling me to pray fervently for a New Great Awakening here in The United States of America and to raise up others who will pray with me for this Awakening.  Would you be willing to join me in this?

If so, Here's an easy way to do so!  Every day set an alarm for 3:16pm and when the alarm goes off, pray a prayer something like this:  "God, Your Word tells us that You loved the world so much that You sent Your only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins.  Please God, pour your Spirit out on our Nation in such a way that people are brought back to You, and into a saving relationship with Jesus.  Bring about a New Great Awakening God, and let me be a part of it!"  

If you would be willing to join me in this prayer, please feel free to cut and paste this, share this, or whatever else you'd like to do with this post.  Most importantly though, PRAY!  

2 Chronicles 7:14 says: "If My people who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  

Our land needs healing...  desperately so.  Will you join me in seeking to be a part of the solution as we seek God's face in prayer and ask Him to bring about a New Great Awakening?

#PrayAmericaGreatAgain