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EP04 | How to Spot NAR Part 2
Holly Pivec
Overview
This video, part two of a series, focuses on identifying the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement by examining its distinctive practices and terminology. It moves beyond the theological claims discussed in part one to highlight observable actions and language used within NAR-affiliated churches and organizations. The presenter details various practices such as spiritual gift activation, impartation, 24/7 prayer rooms, healing rooms, strategic spiritual warfare, Sozo, fire tunnels, prophetic evangelism, soaking prayer, dream interpretation, and seeking angelic encounters. Additionally, the video emphasizes the importance of recognizing specific NAR buzzwords and euphemisms, as these often serve as the first indicators of involvement in the movement, especially when direct affiliation is denied or unknown.
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Chapters
- Activation exercises are used to train individuals in spiritual gifts like prophecy and miracle-working, with some schools dedicated to this training.
- Impartation involves apostles and prophets transferring miraculous gifts to others through touch.
- 24/7 prayer rooms, popularized by IHOP KC, focus on continuous prayer and 'decree and declare' prayer, believing spoken words hold authoritative power.
- Healing rooms, often located in community spaces, also utilize prayer declarations for healing various problems.
- Strategic level spiritual warfare involves identifying and casting out high-ranking demons believed to control societal institutions, often through prayer walking and prophetic acts.
Understanding these practices provides concrete, observable signs that can help identify NAR influence in a church or organization, moving beyond abstract theological discussions.
At Bethel Church, a Sunday school class taught people how to prophesy by having them approach strangers and speak whatever positive, encouraging thought came to mind.
- Sozo is an inner healing and deliverance ministry that helps individuals identify root issues, sometimes leading to the controversial recovery of repressed memories.
- Fire tunnels involve congregants forming lines for others to run through, seeking direct encounters with the Holy Spirit.
- Prophetic evangelism, termed 'treasure hunting' at Bethel, involves teams seeking out individuals in public places to give prophetic words or pray for healing, guided by 'clues' from God.
- Soaking prayer and worship involve extended, often music-accompanied, sessions for personal encounters with the Holy Spirit.
- Dream interpretation and seeking encounters with angels are emphasized as ways to receive divine guidance and experience the supernatural.
These practices reveal the experiential and subjective focus within NAR, where personal encounters and supernatural manifestations are central to spiritual life and ministry.
Bethel Church's 'treasure hunting' involves teams praying for clues (e.g., 'red sweatshirt, crutches, hat') to identify people in public to approach with prophetic messages.
- Terminology is often the first clue to NAR influence, as direct teachings may be obscured by euphemisms or presented in smaller settings.
- Frequent use of terms like 'apostles,' 'prophets,' 'apostolic,' and 'prophetic' signals potential NAR affiliation, even though these terms are also used in other Christian traditions with different meanings.
- Euphemisms like 'spiritual fathers/mothers' and 'spiritual covering' are used to refer to leaders and their authority/protection, often to avoid the controversial direct use of 'apostle' or 'prophet'.
- Buzzwords such as 'billion soul harvest,' 'seven mountain mandate' (or 'spheres of influence'), 'manifest presence,' 'naturally supernatural,' and 'decree and declare' are strong indicators of NAR ideology.
- Phrases like 'open heavens,' 'greater works,' and 'bringing heaven to earth,' along with church names incorporating these terms, are also key identifiers.
Recognizing specific terminology is crucial because it acts as a coded language, allowing NAR adherents to identify each other and communicate core beliefs, often before more overt signs become apparent.
A church sign changing from 'Jesus Saves' to 'Bringing Heaven to Earth' indicates a shift towards NAR terminology and ideology.
- Many NAR-affiliated individuals and churches may not self-identify as NAR, either denying affiliation due to controversy or genuinely not recognizing the label.
- The presence of core NAR teachings about governing apostles and prophets, along with related practices, is more significant than a stated affiliation.
- Shifts in language, even subtle ones, can indicate a church or individual moving towards NAR ideology.
- Terminology can appear in various media, including church names, websites, books, social media, and especially music produced by or influenced by NAR churches.
- Even organizations like Youth With A Mission (YWAM) can be heavily influenced by NAR, leading participants to adopt its language, such as referring to churches as 'houses'.
This chapter highlights that identification requires looking beyond explicit labels and recognizing the underlying beliefs and language, as NAR's influence can be pervasive and sometimes unacknowledged.
A young person returning from a YWAM program, which is heavily influenced by NAR, began referring to churches as 'houses,' a linguistic shift indicating exposure to NAR terminology.
Key takeaways
- Observable practices like spiritual gift activation, impartation, and specific prayer methods are key indicators of NAR involvement.
- The concept of 'decree and declare' prayer, where spoken words are believed to have binding or releasing power, is a central tenet in NAR practices.
- Strategic spiritual warfare, including prayer walking and confronting perceived demonic principalities over cities, is a common NAR practice.
- NAR terminology, including buzzwords and euphemisms, often serves as the primary clue to identifying the movement's influence, especially when direct affiliation is not stated.
- The belief in ongoing apostolic and prophetic authority, distinct from historical biblical figures, underpins many NAR teachings and practices.
- Practices like Sozo, fire tunnels, and prophetic evangelism emphasize experiential encounters and direct supernatural intervention.
- Identifying NAR requires vigilance in observing both actions and language, as affiliation may be denied or unrecognized by those involved.
Key terms
New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)Activation exercisesImpartation24/7 Prayer RoomsDecree and DeclareStrategic Level Spiritual WarfarePrayer WalkingSozoFire TunnelsProphetic EvangelismTreasure HuntingSoaking PrayerApostlesProphetsSpiritual Fathers/MothersSpiritual CoveringApostolic CoveringBillion Soul HarvestSeven Mountain MandateManifest PresenceNaturally SupernaturalOpen HeavensGreater Works TeachingBringing Heaven to Earth
Test your understanding
- How do activation exercises differ from traditional spiritual practices in other Christian traditions?
- What is the core belief behind the 'decree and declare' prayer practice within NAR?
- Explain the concept of 'strategic level spiritual warfare' and provide an example of a related practice.
- Why is recognizing NAR terminology considered a crucial first step in identifying the movement's influence?
- What is the significance of terms like 'spiritual father' and 'spiritual covering' within the NAR context?