This is the third in a series of posts on movements written by my friend, Stephen Currie of Wycliffe Bible Translators.
Gospel movements are not about reforming
complex theological dogma, restoring past traditions and recapturing the past
glories. These movements are happening
when the Gospel is simply and faithfully shared and God’s Spirit works to
reconcile groups of people to Himself.
The Gospel spreads through oikos (household, home, or family) groups, just as it did in New Testament
days with Cornelius of Caesaria and Lydia of Philippi.
God puts new wine into new wine skins. When Jesus tells us that new wine must be put
in new wine skins, he goes on to say, “But no one
who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. ‘The old is just fine,’
they say.” (Luke 5:39 NLT). The
focus of movement energy is not on reform or renewal, but regeneration and rebirth
that comes from the life-transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus.
Gospel movements do not come from adaptive
change. If that were so, we would see
many Gospel movements in the western church today. Instead, movements come from radical
transformation. When lives are truly
transformed, there is a cascade effect that ignites a wildfire of spreading of
the Gospel.
Regenerative life in us
gives birth to regenerative life in others.
Human energy may lead to change and even growth, but only Holy Spirit
energy leads to exponential multiplication of disciples, leaders, and churches
that are clear signs of a movement.
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