New Apostolic Reformation

, coiner of the term New Apostolic Reformation. American missiologist, theologian, and "church growth guru" The name New Apostolic Reformation and whether it constitutes a distinct movement is the subject of some controversy. Some scholars also use the terms Independent Network Charismatic (INC) or Apostolic-Prophetic Movement to refer to the NAR. Sociologists Brad Christerson and Richard Flory argue that the NAR is part of the INC, but there is enough difference that not all INC groups fall under the NAR. The term NAR has been described as "relatively well established in the academic community". Some groups within the broader Apostolic-Prophetic movement have distanced themselves from the NAR due to various criticism and controversies such as January 6 Capitol attack and election denialism. Primarily "influenced and driven by North American evangelicals," the NAR is rooted in the Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity movements: namely, the first-wave Pentecostalism of the 1900s, the Latter Rain movement of the 1940s, the second-wave Charismatic Christianity of the 1960s through 1980s, and the Shepherding movement of the 1970s and 1980s. The NAR has been described as taking the restorationism, dominionism, and "end-times revival" focus of the Latter Rain movement—thought to lead to a new Christian influence on the world—and the authoritarian nature of the Shepherding movement, described as "a kind of pyramid of power and accountability whereby authority (usually male) would flow down from a leading national (or global) figure to local pastors, and even through a chain of pastoral command between congregants". Described as a "born networker", Wagner was involved in a number of missions and church growth organizations and a charter member of the Evangelical Lausanne movement focused on evangelism. Starting in the early 1980s, he was a professor in Church Growth at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where his influence grew. A "key disciple" of Vineyard Church founder John Wimber, who focused on exercising spiritual gifts such as prophecy and miracles, Wagner initially emphasized spiritual gifts as well, holding "Signs, Wonders and Church Growth" courses at Fuller Seminary along with Wimber. Wagner described three stages in what he later called the New Apostolic Reformation: the early 1900s African Independent Church movement, the 1970s Chinese house church movement, and finally the growth of independent Charismatic churches in the 1970s and 1980s—including in Latin America and Africa, and combining elements of indigenous cosmologies. Wagner termed the neo-charismatic movement the "Third Wave". As the movement developed and Wagner's views were changed through his connection with Wimber, Wagner's focus shifted to spiritual warfare and exorcism. The neo-charismatic movement—as opposed to traditional Pentecostal belief, which focused on individual demonic oppression—developed a theology of regions controlled by specific demons, termed territorial spirits. Wagner helped popularize the concept. Though spiritual warfare had not been of significant importance in evangelical theology, his Spiritual Warfare Network of the 1980s and 1990s profoundly and quickly impacted broader evangelical belief on the matter. Some estimates in 2020 claimed an "[influence on] approximately thirty-three million adherents in the United States", though this number is disputed. The movement is global, growing in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, constituting a significant part of church growth in the southern hemisphere. Tenets typical of the NAR have spread into the broader Pentecostal and Charismatic worlds. Trinity Broadcasting Network, an international Christian television network, "regularly promotes the teachings of the NAR" in its programming, as does Daystar Television Network. The Elijah List, a prophecy-focused website founded in 1997, is influential in the NAR. ==Beliefs==

The New Apostolic Reformation is a theological movement rather than an organization, lacking formal membership, but some affiliated organizations have membership systems and overlapping leadership. Religion scholar Geir Otto Holmås has said the "NAR is not a denomination or an organization with membership lists and an unambiguous doctrinal foundation, but a loose movement which primarily operates through informal or semi-formal channels", adding that the movement is spread in bits and pieces: Apostle Lance Wallnau has been one of the concept's foremost promoters, and has promoted 7M combined with spiritual warfare against perceived demonic spirits. Wallnau told followers in 2011: Theology professor André Gagné asserts the Seven Mountain Mandate is more of a strategic marketing tool to mobilize NAR adherents than a theology. Strategic spiritual warfare often aims at opening the 10/40 window (and 40/70 window), world regions defined in Christian missiology as having low socioeconomic status and little access to the gospel. Media Matters reported in January 2024 that former Trump strategic advisor Steve Bannon often spoke of a "spiritual war" that characterized Democrats as "demons." Many NAR adherents have adopted the Appeal to Heaven Flag from the American Revolutionary War that symbolized seeking authority from a power higher than the British king. André Gagné asserts the NAR symbolism of the flag "has completely turned" from the original meaning to now "support the idea that Trump should be president, that he's chosen by God." The flag is displayed outside Speaker Mike Johnson's Capitol Hill office and has flown at the New Jersey vacation home of United States Supreme Court justice Samuel Alito. Dutch Sheets has long advocated the end of separation of church and state, co-authoring a 2022 "Watchman Decree" that states "we, the Church, are God's governing Body on the earth." During a 2022 live-streamed service, Sheets prayed over congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who identifies as a Christian nationalist, concluding, "You are highly favored, you will not fail, in Jesus' name, Amen!" House Speaker Mike Johnson said in November 2023 that the "separation of church and state is a misnomer" because the Founders "did not want the government to encroach upon the church—not that they didn't want principles of faith to have influence on our public life. It's exactly the opposite." Speaking at a religious service in summer 2022, congresswoman Lauren Boebert said: The church is supposed to direct the government. The government is not supposed to direct the church. That is not how our Founding Fathers intended it. I'm tired of this separation of church and state junk that's not in the Constitution. It was in a stinking letter, and it means nothing like what they say it does. Bible translation Brian Simmons is a NAR apostle and the author of The Passion Translation, which he asserts Jesus personally commissioned him to translate from the New Testament and the Hebrew Bible into new scripture in 2009. He added that he had been transported to meet Jesus in an immense library in Heaven. The translation has been endorsed by several NAR leaders such as Lou Engle, Chuck Pierce, and Ché Ahn. Holly Pivec, who has co-authored three books on the NAR, writes that many in the movement use it as their primary Bible. Pivec adds that Simmons is the sole author of the translation, and he has not disclosed the editors and scholars he says have reviewed his work. Pivec and her co-author, Geivett, assert the translation contains "completely reworded verses, making it appear that the Bible supports NAR teachings." Bible scholars say the Simmons book does not meet the rigorous standards of a translation but rather functions as a paraphrase. BibleGateway, an evangelical Christian website providing access to 232 versions of the Christian Bible in 74 languages, removed The Passion Translation from its site in February 2022. == Associated people ==

Few, if any, organizations publicly espouse connection to the NAR, though there are numerous public individuals associated with it, including: • Ché Ahn, Harvest International Ministries; an asserted NAR apostle though he has stated he is not affiliated with Wagner or a dominionist • Lauren Boebert, Republican congresswoman • Lou Engle, founder of TheCall • Michael Flynn, Republican former Trump national security advisor, whose ReAwaken America Tour is sponsored by NAR proponent Charisma News and features NAR themes • Faytene Grasseschi, Canadian conservative activist and broadcaster • James Goll, prophet and member of the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders • Mike Lindell, pillow entrepreneur • Doug Mastriano, 2022 Republican nominee for governor of Pennsylvania • Alice Patterson, leader of Justice at the Gate, who has characterized the Democratic Party as a demon structure • Brian Simmons, founder of Stairway Ministries and Passion and Fire Ministries, author of The Passion Translation • Lance Wallnau, an asserted apostle • Todd White, Lifestyle Christianity After being named as part of the NAR, and critics believing that Bethel Church was instrumental in leading some Christians to embrace tenets of NAR, Pastor Bill Johnson of Bethel became regularly listed as an NAR leader. Johnson confirmed that he does believe in the apostolic and prophetic ministries, but denied in an official statement that his church had any official ties to the NAR. Johnson and NAR apostle Lance Wallnau co-wrote the 2013 book Invading Babylon: The 7 Mountain Mandate. When Rick Joyner of MorningStar Ministries was listed, he announced that "there will likewise be a horde of false apostles released", continuing: "Our team received two very specific dreams warning about false 'apostolic movements' that were built more on organization than relationship. The dreams indicated that these were trying to bring forth apostles that were really more like corporate CEOs, and the movement that they led had the potential to do great damage to the church. The enemy's intent with this false apostolic movement was to have the church develop a deep revulsion to anything that was called apostolic." == Associated networks, organizations and events ==

Though the NAR movement is loosely constituted of networks of congregations, apostles, and prophets, there are a number of NAR apostle and prophet-related organizations – started by Wagner and later taken over by others – with varying degrees of overlap. • Apostolic Council for Educational Accountability (ACEA) • Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders (ACPE), an organization founded by Wagner and Cindy Jacobs, for the most prominent American prophets • Eagles' Vision Apostolic Team (EVAT), named the "most important" of Wagner's organizations, the group consists of 25 of his closest disciples and "spiritual children" • European Apostolic Leaders (EAL) • Global Harvest Ministries • Heartland Apostolic Network (HAN) • International Association of Healing Ministries (IAHR) • International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders (ICA), a network of apostles; it was founded in 1999 by apostle John P. Kelly and has 2000 members in over 85 countries • International Society of Deliverance Ministries (ISDM) • One Voice Prayer Movement • Strategic Prayer Network • Wagner Leadership Institute (WLI), a seminary for apostles, with dozens of campuses worldwide In 2021, NAR leaders played a key part in heading the newly founded Michael Flynn ReAwaken America Tour, which was initially a protest against COVID-19 restrictions. The events have become what has been described as "a rolling Chautauqua-style celebration of the spiritual side of Trumpism." Flynn, a former Army lieutenant general and Trump national security advisor, said at a 2021 event, "If we are going to have one nation under God, which we must, we have to have one religion. One nation under God and one religion under God, right?" At one event, Trump confidant Roger Stone said there was a visible "satanic portal" over the Biden White House that must be closed by prayer. At another event, self-declared prophet Julie Green claimed God had told her that "These are the days for you to control the governments of this earth. God said he can take this country back in unconventional ways. He doesn't need an election to do it." In September 2024, JD Vance, the Republican nominee for vice president in the 2024 United States presidential election, spoke at a western Pennsylvania town hall event organized by top Christian nationalist leaders who promote election denialism. The organizers called Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris a "demon." The event was hosted by Wallnau, who had previously said Harris represented the "spirit of Jezebel" and used "witchcraft" during her debate with Trump weeks earlier. Campaigning for Trump in October 2024, Elon Musk held a town hall meeting at a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania megachurch that in recent years had hosted an array of Christian nationalist leaders, many with ties to NAR. == NAR-associated media ==

GOD TV, an NAR-associated network, was founded in the mid-1990s and broadcasts in over 200 countries. It broadcast the 2008 Lakeland Revival nightly and aired evangelist and faith healer Todd Bentley's apostolic alignment ceremony by Wagner and NAR apostles. Pure Flix, a Christian streaming service, is listed by the International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders' as one of their strategic partnerships. == Coverage, controversy, and critique ==

Christian writers and organizations have commented on the movement over the past several decades. In 2001, the German Evangelical Alliance released a statement denouncing the spiritual warfare trip of C. Peter Wagner and Global Harvest Ministries to engage the "Queen of Heaven" territorial spirit in battle, stating that while they encouraged prayer, the movement's methods were "unbiblical". In 2008, the NAR first drew national attention in the United States in the midst of Alaskan governor Sarah Palin's vice presidential campaign, when a 2005 video surfaced of her being prayed for at Wasilla Assemblies of God church by Kenyan NAR apostle Thomas Muthee. Anthea Butler notes that "by praying for favor and for the use of her to turn the nation around, Muthee, like many in Wagner's leadership, understood that she was trying to get to a mountain of power. The prayer format asking for righteousness in the state and nation means that Palin is the person who can bring it, who has been anointed by God for that task. Muthee's prayer is an interesting artifact in understanding how Palin considered her 'destiny'; that she has been set apart, called by God." Including a request for protection from witchcraft – "alien to contemporary American culture" – the event was covered in the media. One scholar noted the video "seemed to reveal a well-kept secret: a prominent politician running for vice-president of the United States secretly fighting a hidden war against the Evil One in the here and now of American civilization." In 2011, discussion about the political influence of the NAR was again brought to a national audience. Lou Engle and Don Finto, who are considered to be leaders within the NAR, participated in a prayer event held by Engle's TheCall called "TheResponse", hosted by former Texas governor Rick Perry, on August 6, 2011, in Houston, Texas. This event is cited as a sign of the influence of NAR beliefs on Rick Perry's political viewpoints. It was covered by National Public Radio and other media outlets. In 2011, Forrest Wilder, senior editor for the Texas Observer, described the New Apostolic Reformation as having "taken Pentecostalism, with its emphasis on ecstatic worship and the supernatural, and given it an adrenaline shot." Wilder adds that beliefs of people associated with the movement "can tend toward the bizarre" and that it has "taken biblical literalism to an extreme." In 2012, during Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign, his connections to NAR apostles were covered in the media. This included Pray & ACT events sponsored by his organization Renewing American Leadership, which featured NAR apostles Lance Wallnau and Lou Engle and which included Seven Mountains exhortations. Dutch Sheets served as co-chair of Gingrich's Faith Leaders Coalition that year. In 2012, sociologist Margaret Poloma described the NAR's spiritual warfare rhetoric: "The way some of the leaders talk, you'd think they were an army planning to take over the world...It sounds to me like radical Islam." As many churches and individuals in the movement do not follow the three ecumenical creeds, they are seen as having moved away from mainstream Christianity. Baptist theologian Dr. Roger E. Olson writes: In 2017, David Woodfield's thesis on the NAR noted that "Whilst being of little relevance, or even interest, to a British constituency, the linking up of well-known American political figures with leading NAR personalities and national events is of significant import in the USA, a factor which has become noticeably evident during the recent (2012 and 2016) presidential elections." In 2022, Matthew D. Taylor, a scholar of Protestantism at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies, released an audio documentary on the movement's connection to the January 6 United States Capitol attack, entitled Charismatic Revival Fury. Taylor asserts that NAR is "the backbone ... of Christian Trumpism." He argues it was "seen as fringy, was seen as the realm of hucksters, seen as kind of low-brow and populist and extremist" before Trump recruited it in 2016 to rally evangelical support for his campaign. Taylor asserts NAR is difficult to track due to its intentional anti-institutional, decentralized "mesh network" of influencers on the internet. Lance Wallnau's prophetic rhetoric has been described as having "nationalist", "anti-democratic", and "fascist" traits by scholar Arne Helge Teigen. A 2022 joint report from the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and the Freedom From Religion Foundation on the role of Christian nationalism in the Capitol attack argues that Wallnau's "warfare rhetoric" is linked to stochastic terrorism. In February 2024, Politico reported that Russell Vought, a leader of Project 2025—a group closely aligned with Trump that created an expansive blueprint for the next Republican presidency—was spearheading plans to instill Christian nationalism into that presidency. One of the story authors, Heidi Przybyla, later said in a television interview, in part: Remember when Trump ran in 2016, a lot of the mainline Evangelicals wanted nothing to do with the divorced real estate mogul who had cheated on his wife with a porn star and all of that, right? So what happened was he was surrounded by this more extremist element. You're going [to] hear words like 'Christian nationalism,' like the 'New Apostolic Reformation.' These are groups that you should get very, very schooled on because they have a lot of power in Trump's circle. Vought and several others criticized Przybyla on X for her televised remarks, which she said they had misunderstood. Dartmouth College professor Jeff Sharlet is the author of the 2023 book The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War. After years traveling to meet with Trump supporters, he writes that his initial "objections to describing militant Trumpism as fascist have fallen away." He asserts Project 2025 is influenced by NAR. Sharlet contends that the Project's first mandate to 'restore the family as the centerpiece of American life and protect our children' "is Q-coded—it's 'protect the blood,' it's the 14 words, it's all this stuff." In 2023, Marvin Olasky, former longtime editor of the evangelical magazine World, said that American evangelicalism is fracturing in real time, between a faction that embraces pluralism, other faiths and democracy, and one that advocates governance by strict biblical law "by any means necessary." He added, "I have to say that compassionate conservatism is out of business these days, and in a sense, cruel conservatism is ascendant." NPR reported the "any means necessary" faction has a direct line to House Speaker Mike Johnson due to his close ties to NAR leaders such as Jim Garlow. In June 2024, the Southern Poverty Law Center characterized NAR as "the greatest threat to American democracy that most people have never heard of." Researcher Bruce Wilson asserts he has identified well-funded programs designed "to obscure, to confuse and confound reporters and journalists and academics who are writing about and discussing dominionist Christianity." André Gagné argues that NAR's "strength is that they're stealth" and that the media "has a very important role to play in speaking about this movement and how it will use the levers of democracy to eventually subvert democracy." In 2008, one scholar, noting the prevalence of Wagner's spiritual warfare teachings in Singapore, describes the belief's potential for divisiveness in a multicultural society where the deities of neighboring non-Christians are seen as "cultural ethnic demons". Matthew D. Taylor wrote in 2024 that the language of spiritual warfare incites real-world violence against those labeled as possessed by demons and worries that rhetoric threatens democracy since one cannot negotiate with demons in good faith. He calls it a form of "Toxic Christianity" with a propensity to dehumanize others. == In media ==

NAR beliefs have been part of evangelical, and particularly charismatic Christian, media. By the mid-to-late 1980s, Christian author Frank Peretti's novels featuring spiritual battles, territorial spirits, and demonology – seen as spiritual reality portrayed in fictional settings – found popularity among evangelicals; Wagner considered them the best depiction of real-world spiritual warfare. Mark Taylor's prophecies in his 2017 book The Trump Prophecies have been described by scholar Arne Helge Teigen as being aimed at NAR followers. The 2006 documentary Jesus Camp depicts the life of young children attending Becky Fischer's neo-charismatic summer camp; though Fischer has sometimes been identified as Pentecostal, she is most closely associated with the NAR. ==See also==