Tim Catchim says that two sets of communication continuums – from ‘criticise’ to  ‘energise’ in ‘tones’ and from ‘verbalise’ to ‘visualise’ in ‘tactics’ – give rise to four types of prophetic roles – 1 the ‘Auditor’, 2 the ‘Awakener’, 3 the ‘Protestor’ and 4 the ‘Performer’. [1]

1. The Auditor 

The role of the Auditor is ‘to study a script for a play, audit the performance of the script (and) ensure the intended meaning of the script is accurately communicated. They are the ones who step in to the middle of a theatrical production and say “This is not what the author of this script intended to be conveyed in this scene”.’ Catchim says ‘the Auditor is a good metaphor for prophets, who feel passionate about making sure the Scriptures are lived out in ways that represent the heart of God, and incorporate “criticizing” people, when they feel they go “off-script”, with clearly “verbalizing” their criticism’ through their writing, their singing, their preaching and their teaching.[2]

2. The Awakener

The role of an Awakener incorporates “energizing” people, to get “back on track”, not just “on script”, but “in touch” with the “Spirit behind the script” with cogently “verbalizing” their inspired passion and compassion, through their writing, their singing, their preaching and their teaching. Catchim says, ‘the Awakener truly believes God is with us. Their confidence in (the Spirit’s) presence and power, and their ability to arrange an encounter with this present and powerful (Spirit) infuses people with inspiration. It lifts people out of their self-referential cycles and points them to the possibilities of a new reality.’ [3] 

3. The Protestor

The role of the Protestor incorporates “criticizing” people, when they go “off-script”, with “visualizing” their criticism, cleverly “acting out” their criticism, through symbols, dramas and demonstrations. Catchim says Protestors are ‘provocateurs who devise clever, subversive actions that call into question the current scenarios. By providing an alternative point of reference, a visible deviation from the norm, they challenge our imaginations and question the legitimacy of the status quo.’ ‘This is, in part’, says Catchim, ‘why some prophets can have a bohemian, socially deviant look about them. They opt out of the mainstream and subvert the dominant culture through visible protests, whether it be fashion, eccentric lifestyles, or just plain eccentric behaviour. Refusal to “buy in” to the dominant culture helps them stay connected to an alternative outlook on life but it also shows up as a form of protest.’ [4]

4. The Performer

The role of the Performer incorporates “energizing” people, to get “back on track”, not just “on script”, but “in touch” with the “Spirit behind the script” with creatively “visualizing” their inspired passion and compassion, through symbols, dramas and demonstrations that embody the possibilities of a new reality. Catchim says ‘the Performer demonstrates that God can, and is, breaking in and radically altering the present state of reality. Their lives … provide a tangible, visual illustration of (the Spirit)’s presence and activity “among us” … (and so) reinforce our faith that another world is possible, that the present order of things is not hopelessly irreversible. Performers recognize “the gap” (that exists between God’s will and ours), but their distinct contribution is that they actively “stand in the gap” as visual displays of what it can look like (if people) “incarnate” God’s values in a particular context.’ [5]

Dave Andrews

[1] Tim Catchim ‘The Prophetic Ministry’ – Part 2 http://5qcentral.com/prophetic-catchim/ Dec 12 2017

[2] Tim Catchim ‘The Prophetic Ministry’ – Part 2 http://5qcentral.com/prophetic-catchim/ Dec 12 2017

[3] Tim Catchim ‘The Prophetic Ministry’ – Part 2 http://5qcentral.com/prophetic-catchim/ Dec 12 2017

[4] Tim Catchim ‘The Prophetic Ministry’ – Part 2 http://5qcentral.com/prophetic-catchim/ Dec 12 2017

[5] Tim Catchim ‘The Prophetic Ministry’ – Part 2 http://5qcentral.com/prophetic-catchim/ Dec 12 2017