There is a growing awareness that we cannot continue to do the same old things and expect different results. Someone said, "that the definition of insanity was doing the same thing, but expecting a different result." The book of Isaiah says it best:: "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

The church as we know it must be transformed to transform our communities. Romans chapter 12 and verse 2 proclaims, "Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect." I submit to you that God who knows all and sees all is looking to deposit His wisdom into people who will allow him to bring about change through new and creative ideas. In the New Testament of Matthew, chapter nine states "... do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runs out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved."

These new "wine bottles" are those who will allow God to infuse them with "the new thing He is doing." There are several paradigms shifts that have already begun to take place and will change our communities forever.

No. 1: From building walls to building bridges

"Your sons will rebuild the long-deserted ruins of your cities, and you will be known as 'The People Who Rebuild Their Walls and Cities'" Isaiah 58:12.

It is time for city healers and transforming agents to arise and go into our communities and change the environment spiritually, educationally, economically and governmentally.

No. 2: From measuring attendance to measuring impact

"People do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care." The world is not impressed on how big a church is or the church's commitment to "truth." What we are seeing on the front of magazines is transformational community-centered ministries grabbing the attention of the American people. Pastor Tommy Barnett of First Phoenix Assembly of God Church articulates it like this: "Find a need and fill it."

The book of Matthew says how Christ the Messiah will judge our commitment to him at His coming:

"For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me.' Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Sir, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you anything to drink? Or a stranger, and help you? Or naked, and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' And I, the King, will tell them, 'When you did it to these my brothers you were doing it to me!'"

No. 3: From encouraging the saints to attend the service to equipping the saints for works of service

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" Eph. 4:11-13.

The men and women who God has called to train and teach must prepare the next generation with the proper tools to change their world and it starts with a change in our mind set. We have been a church with people that pray, not a praying church. We have been followers and servants, but not leaders. We have been having church and yet to be "The Church." Coming soon to a community near you!