The power must be followed by a process to insure progress. I first heard this from my pastor, Mark Jobe. I have witnessed this in the lives of many as I served at New Life Community Church in Chicago for over 20 years. We emphasized both the power of God and processes that led to spiritual growth.

In the wide spectrum of Christianity, some emphasize the power. They go from conference to conference, “revival” to “revival,” the latest experience to the next latest experience. From what I have observed, focussing on the power without a clear discipleship process leads to roller-coaster Christianity. It is full of ups and downs and maturity by chance.

Others emphasize the process. Just follow a system. Gain some information. Read your Bible, prayer every day and you will grow, grow, grow! When there is a process with no power it is easy to just get stuck in a rut. Following the same process year after year after year can really get boring. If there is no encounters with God and no spiritual retreats to the mountains to meet with, we can do all the right processes but experience a dryness in our walk with God.

When there is powerful encounters with God and the freshness in our walk that comes with being filled with the Holy Spirt, you sense the powerful locomotive engine. When that power has a process with a purpose, like train tracks you can go somewhere and make progress. There is a definite need for believers to experience the power of the Holy Spirit in its fulness. And there is also a definite need for believers to have a growth plan that is intentional and includes life on life mentoring. The power must be followed by a process to insure progress.