A Movement of God
Over the summer, from all of my travels, from the conferences I have attended, from the courses I have taken, from a wide variety of reading I have done and from many conversations that I have had, I have been compiling a list of what is common among the many “movements of God”, whether it is a current movement of God in a local church or community or from the great “revivals” of the past. I thought I would share what is on my list so far.
The first thing that seems common among all movements of God, where a community or country is radically impacted by the life changing message of Jesus is that it cannot be created or manufactured. God is the initiator of such movements. There is no ten step strategy that can be followed or any list of things to do to make a movement happen. God makes it happen. But there are common characteristics as I have studied both movements in history and current movements in this century. Let me list the common characteristics that I have discovered. This is my list. I am sure others have theirs and some will disagree with mine. But this is what I am discovering is part of a movement of God. These are not in any order of importance although some might like to put them in an order.
- There is an attractive, clearly and continually communicated vision for the future.
- There is a sacrificial spirit or commitment by the people of God – they are willing to set their own personal preferences aside – they are willing to sacrifice time and money for the greater vision.
- There is a servant spirit among the community of faith.
- Meeting social justice needs was just as important as dealing with the spiritual needs. The message of Jesus love was practiced as well as preached.
- Innovative ideas come from many people at all levels of the community of faith – not just those in “leadership” positions.
- The community of faith is not governed by rules and regulations and policies but more by flexible guidelines that provide structure but also freedom from within that structure.
- There is an attractiveness to the vision and leaders and servant WANT to be part of this movement.
- The people in the communities of faith are filled with passion and energy and determination and diligence.
- There is life transformation in the lives of many people.
- The is powerful, life transforming and relevant teaching that is rooted and grounded on the Bible and includes a powerful proclamation of the gospel.
- There is a crystal clear understanding of the culture that they are trying to reach.
- Prayer always proceeds a movement of God and it also sustains it.
- The people of communities of faith seek to grow deeper in their relationship with God, causing them to live authentic Christian lives.
- Leaders are both humble but determined. They put the movement of God ahead of any personal desires or wants and they let nothing stand in the way of vision being accomplished.
- There is evidence of the powerful working of the Holy Spirit.
- There is a greater focus on reaching the “outsider”. There was a “missional” mentality and leaders and people sensed the call of God to their local and global communities.
- There is a genuine sense of relational connectedness among the people in the community of faith. We might say that there was relational intentionality.
- There was vibrant leadership that functioned in team environments and continually raised up young leaders from the next generation.
- People in the faith community actively engaged in vibrant weekly worship that had a balance between relevance and reverence.
That is my list so far. I am still compiling it. As I read over this list again and again, I believe that this is the kind of church or faith community that I want to be part of and lead. I believe that is the kind of faith community that God wants all churches to be. This is the kind of faith community that Lakeside should strive to be. As I said, following a list won’t create a movement of God. He initiates that. But maybe he initiates it when a community of faith is willing to be this kind of community. Maybe there is a correlation between what God initiates and what a faith community desires to be.