IFTP Definitions and Values
What do we mean by “transformation”?
Transformation is one of the hottest topics in Christendom. That being said, the word “transformation” does not have a commonly-accepted definition. This has led many to adopt an “anything goes” approach, which has unfortunately tended to dilute the term of its inherent power and meaning. All too often we derive definitions for the terms “transformation” and “transforming revival” from our inventory of available resources rather than the revelation of Scripture.
From the perspective of the IFTP, transformation was first and best expressed by Jesus Himself when He declared to His disciples in Matthew chapter six:
“This is how you should pray:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.”
These brief words remind us that God’s presence and purposes are to be the central focus of human society. They are to be realized and promoted not in some limited, religious manner, but as they are in heaven. In the words of the prophet Isaiah we are to “give [ourselves] no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem (or Chicago, London or Singapore) and makes her the praise of the earth” (Isaiah 62:6–7). We are to “renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations” (Isaiah 61:4). If we do this, Ezekiel promises, “the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there” (Ezekiel 48:35).
While many Christians assume transforming revival is about growing church congregations, it is actually a matter of renaming or re-identifying our cities and welcoming the presence of God into them.
Since we lack both the right and the capacity to define transformation, our only sensible course is to “consider what God has done” (Ecclesiastes 7:13). Apart from observing the Father at work we have no way to discover truly reliable principles for success. However, because transforming revival is a principle-based enterprise we can anticipate what God will respond to—namely humility, holiness, repentance, prayer, worship, compassion, faith (II Chronicles 7:14, Isaiah 58:9–12, Isaiah 62:6–7, Hosea 6:3). This allows us to prepare the way of the Lord with confidence: “If my people will... then I will heal their land.” There is no presumption here, only obedience. He has removed all mystery from the discussion. We can also safely predict what the fruit of transformation will look like because, again, God’s Word describes it for us (Psalm 144:14, Isaiah 1:26, Acts 11:20–24, Acts 19:18-20) and because we have seen it in microcosm in the lives of redeemed individuals. What we cannot be certain of are the means by which God will accomplish His purposes. These are as unique as snowflakes, fingerprints, and cities.
If revival were, as some claim, the product of arbitrary dictate, faith and human obedience would not even enter the equation. We could only hope that God might one day include our community on His revival itinerary. There would be no principles to apply, no guidelines to follow, no promises to expect, and no certainty of success. The reality is that God’s Word and practical history confirm—over and over again—that revival is not random.
We do not summon God’s presence in order to repair our broken communities; we summon Him because we cannot bear to live another day apart from His touch. We seek a lover, not a handyman. If we will make His kingdom purposes our priority (Matthew 6:33), He will come. And when He comes, He will arrive with healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2)—transforming our lives, our families, our churches, our communities, and our nations.