Why Interruptions are Invitations & Living in Step With the Spirit

This summary and rewrite draws upon a conversation between Christine Caine and Alex Seeley, co-founder of The Belonging Co in Nashville, focusing on the essential role of humility, surrender, and spiritual “crushing” in producing lasting anointing, power, and longevity in ministry, especially within non-traditional church cultures.

1. The Power of Public Surrender: Why Altar Calls Still Matter

In the context of the modern church, Alex Seeley maintains an unwavering belief in the significance of altar calls for adults, not just youth. Drawing on her personal experience and what she has witnessed, she testifies that the altar “alters people”.

The Function of the Altar Call:

• Breaking Complacency: The act of getting out of one’s seat and running to the altar demands a level of humility and surrender. It is a deliberate coming out of a place of containment or complacency.
• Giving Permission to the Holy Spirit: This act of surrender gives the Holy Spirit permission to do the transforming work within an individual’s life.
• Realignment to Mission: While an altar call does not guarantee a problem-free life, it fundamentally realigns Christians to their mission and their vital encounter with God. This encounter is what keeps a Christian buoyant and full of the fire of God for longevity.

2. Pushing the Boundaries: Leading a Revival Culture in Nashville

Alex and Henry Seeley, the leaders of The Belonging Co, planted a church in Nashville that challenges many conservative norms, integrating a fervent Pentecostal style and unapologetic gospel preaching.

Overcoming Cultural Hurdles

The choice to lead this type of church in Nashville presented several initial cultural “crosses” against them:

• Being a Woman Pastor: Especially when they began, Alex faced pushback and was even called a “heretic” by some who believed females should not preach or pastor.
• Pentecostal and Holy Spirit Focus: Their open discussion and focus on the Holy Spirit were considered very interesting concepts in that city.
• Unapologetic Abandonment: They embrace unapologetic abandonment to Christ and a belief that individuals can find freedom from their dysfunction.

The Ignorance Was Bliss

When the Seeleys moved from Australia to America, they brought what they had known—the transforming power of the Holy Spirit they witnessed in the inner city of Melbourne. Initially, Alex visited churches in Nashville and observed people who were faithful and attended worship but “leave the same”. Many of these churchgoers had a cultural understanding of salvation—”we just always went to church”—rather than a personal, life-changing encounter with Jesus.

The Seeleys started their gathering in a basement, simply bringing what they knew, not realizing it was “out of the cultural norm”. Their ignorance allowed them to simply ask, “Doesn’t everybody want this?”. The result was the power of God falling and changing lives, drawing people to the presence of God “like a moth to a flame”.

The fruit of this movement—saved marriages, dissolved addictions, and profound life change—ultimately silenced critics who denied their theology or leadership.

3. The Unseen Cost: Consecration and Crushing for New Oil

The ability to sustain a powerful ministry requires a constant consecration and a willingness to endure seasons of “crushing”. The powerful anointing Alex carries has been very costly.

The Ongoing Refining Process

Leaders who desire to keep producing oil must understand that the crushing does not stop, even after achieving success. Alex confessed that she often cried out to God, wondering when the constant need to forgive, overcome, contend, and love an enemy would end.

Lessons from the Crushing:

• Following Jesus’s Example: Jesus’s life was marked by crushing—He was accused, misunderstood, betrayed, lied about, and called Satan, yet His life exemplified humility, integrity, and flawless character.
• Faith Solidified: God uses betrayal, hurt, and disappointment—often from people within the church—to solidify where one’s faith truly lives. The purpose is to determine if faith rests in church people or culture, or solely in Christ.
• Martyrs and Missionaries as Mentors: Leaders of this generation, saved in revival cultures, measured their endurance not by worldly standards but by the examples of martyrs and missionaries. The thought was, “At least I’m not getting my head cut off for the gospel”.
• Consistency is Key: The consistent decision to remain faithful, even when circumstances are unfair, produces the oil and results in profound ministry fruit.
• The Maturity Process: Hardships are essential for maturing Christians, producing perseverance, character, and maturity. Avoiding this process leads to “powerless ministers who are very charismatic and very influential, but who carry no power”.

4. Trusting God Over the Fickleness of Man

A critical growth area for leadership longevity is developing security in one’s identity in Christ and learning not to be swayed by the fickleness of people.

The Vertical Relationship

Alex found herself deeply hurt when people left the church or turned against her, leading her to punish herself with questions like, “Did I love enough?”. The breakthrough came from the scripture where Jesus did not entrust Himself to the crowds because “He knew what was in their heart”.

• Vertical Fulfillment: Leaders must learn to derive their affirmation, significance, and security vertically from God, ensuring that when externals fail, they remain anchored.
• Letting Go of Offense: It is necessary to mature and let go of offense. As Christine Caine learned early in her ministry, the same crowd that praises today will condemn tomorrow.
• The Power of Vindication: When betrayal occurs, the first step is always to go to the prayer closet and ask God: “Show me Lord, where did I go wrong in this?”. Before God vindicates, we must first correct our own part. Trusting God to bring the vindication around, even if it takes years, is essential for remaining standing and flourishing.