From Paul to Today: How to Structure Churches Around God’s Manifest Presence
In the previous blog, we laid out a theological framework for building presence-centered churches through the lens of Paul’s ecclesiology. In this post, we want to offer some practical thoughts on what that can look like today. These aren’t the only ways, but they are practices that may help you build a presence-centered spiritual family.
With the conviction that we should intentionally structure church life—and especially our gatherings—to welcome, honor, and respond to the manifest presence of God, here are some frameworks inspired by Paul’s vision of the church as the new temple.
1. Structure Your Gatherings to Anticipate an Encounter
(1 Cor. 14:24–25)
Design your services with space for response, awe, and Spirit-led flow. Don’t just plan for excellence—plan for encounter. Whether through worship, prophetic ministry, teaching Scripture, or even silence, the goal is to create space for God to move.
Helpful Practices:
Train worship teams to follow the Holy Spirit, not just a setlist.
Prioritize prophetic inspiration and order over pre-planned service flow.
Make room for God to move—moments where people may “fall on their face” in reverence.
2. Prioritize Building a Dwelling Place, Not Just a Functional Church
(Eph. 2:21–22)
Don’t just see the church as an organization, but as a spiritual house being built for God’s presence. Today’s church leadership must prioritize community formation, relational unity, and corporate sanctification—because the Spirit dwells in a holy, unified temple.
Helpful Practices:
Foster deep, open, and vulnerable relationships.
Teach that unity and holiness are prerequisites for God’s dwelling.
Make spiritual formation central to leadership development.
3. Cultivate Leaders Who Minister to the Lord Before They Minister to People
(Acts 13:2; Rom. 15:15–16)
Leadership should be priestly before it is organizational. Paul viewed his ministry as an offering sanctified by the Spirit. Presence-centered leaders are intercessors, worshipers, and ministers to the Lord before they are preachers or planners.
Helpful Practices:
Establish rhythms of corporate prayer among your staff.
Train leaders in the language of priesthood—offering, sanctifying, interceding.
Normalize a weekly day of fasting and ministering to the Lord.
Lead corporate seasons of prayer where ministry to God is the focus.
4. Embrace the Prophetic as a Vital Expression of God’s Manifest Presence
(1 Cor. 14)
Paul expected prophetic ministry to be both normal and fruitful. Prophecy reveals the nearness and heart of God to the church and outsiders. Steward it carefully—but do steward it.
Helpful Practices:
Teach prophecy as a loving, edifying gift that all can pursue (1 Cor. 14:1–5).
Equip and empower trusted voices to prophesy in humility and accountability.
Debrief prophetic moments to grow the church in discernment.
5. Make the Altar the Center, Not the Stage
(Rom. 12:1)
Paul calls the church to become a living sacrifice—a vision that echoes altar-centered worship. In presence-centered churches, the altar becomes a space of surrender and encounter.
Helpful Practices:
Normalize response moments that involve physical acts—kneeling, lifting hands, coming forward.
Teach that worship is about yielding our lives, not just singing songs.
Guard against personality-driven platforms; elevate presence over performance.
6. Expect Transformation as the Outcome of His Presence
(2 Cor. 3:17–18)
God’s presence is not just for emotional experience—it is for transformation. Those who encounter the Lord should be changed into His likeness. Celebrate fruit more than feelings.
Helpful Practices:
Share testimonies of transformation regularly.
Disciple people who’ve had powerful encounters—help them walk it out.
Teach that sustained change is a sign of healthy discipleship and culture.
Final Thoughts:
Paul’s vision of the church as the temple of God provides a powerful framework for leaders who long to host God’s manifest presence. His epistles teach us that the manifest presence of God among the redeemed is the very essence of the church. Cultivating that presence takes apostolic clarity, priestly devotion, prophetic alignment, and Spirit-sensitive leadership.
“God is really among you” (1 Cor. 14:25) wasn’t wishful thinking for Paul—it was his apostolic goal. And it should be ours too.