I often say that I am part of a mission. And that is completely true.
I also say that I belong to a grouping of churches which ‘sent out’ my family and I to serve Christ in another place, in another culture. And that is true as well.
Recently though I am beginning to say that I am part of a movement.
Saying that is more than just an exercise in semantics. There is depth and commitment behind the truth that I belong to a movement.
A movement in simplest terms is a grouping of individuals or organisations who work together to advance their shared idea, activity, or ministry objective. Being part of a movement means we work collaboratively and collectively, and leverage all our resources together for the growth and development of the movement.
There is fluidity and flexibility to a movement in its outworking in different contexts. There is loads of room for creativity and innovation.
Yet, something ties the movement members together. There is alignment in mission and direction. There is a willingness to lead, and there is a willingness to follow.
What ties the movement members together though is the desired outcome. For us as WT movement members, it’s seeing multiplying groups of disciples and communities of believers among the lost.
But the hardest step in staying in step with the movement is learning yield; to humbly give up what we may want or think is the (our) right way to do things, to serve the larger desire and outcome of the movement.
Filed under: Church, Discipleship, Movement, Multiplication, Unreached people groups |
Thoughts Along The Journey 
I like this wording, David, because it expresses what we as World Team want to be and how we want to act. Movements after time become machines and then monuments. World Team is intentionally seeking to innovate so we do not become a monument! The common biblical convictions we share as we engage ourselves in God’s mission hold the movement on track. Thanks for sharing this. Sean C.
Thanks Sean! A movement does have certain characteristics though. It’s not a melting pot of like minded individuals (: but a group that commits to working together towards an agreed upon mission and vision. Monuments occur when too much ‘structure’ or process is set up. But there is some ‘structure’ or commonly held characteristics that keep movement members focused.
Agreed. Those are important qualifiers. Patrick Johnstone wrote in “The Church is Bigger Than You Think” that “all living things have structure” but not all structures are alive. May the Lord guide us in this équilibre.
You are right. Find the right balance is the key!