I have a desire to see a movement created. I want to (as you can see in the other posts) see a church united and moving- leaving sin by the wayside, reaching the lost in a city and going deeper with Jesus. So Mondays are going to be dedicated to information spurring us on towards creating a movement.

Here is the first post in this line and the prerequisites for seeing a movement happen:

1) Prayer, worship, study of Scripture (Inflow)

At Redeemer, we talk about a “Passion for Jesus” – are you passionate for Jesus, passionate about Him or living like many around us: saying that we know Him while remaining unchanged. This is not to be judgmental. I am just asking. As I talked with some of our leaders yesterday, we discussed our “culture and context” here in Milwaukee. One of the things I have realized since living here is that many in this 5-county area think they know Jesus but don’t. They go to church (sometimes twice a year!), try to be good (on their own power) and suffer through life as many generations of their family have done before them. This is not passion. When I speak of developing this passion – through prayer, worship (lifestyle) and Bible study I get rolled eyes and excuses. Yet a movement does not start without getting closer to Jesus. One does not get closer to Jesus by living the way you’ve always lived… you need to develop a relationship with Him by prayer, worship and study of His inspired Word.

2) Community/fellowship (Inflow)

This is NOT cookies or a potluck after church in the “fellowship hall.” This is doing number 1 with others. Jesus sent His disciples out two-by-two to do ministry (Luke 10 and others) – never were we supposed to do this alone. Who helps keep you accountable? Who do you talk to about God’s Word and what it is doing in you? Who are you transparent with? Who feels like your brother/sister and pushes you towards better things? Who prays with you and challenges your sin? Who knows you sin? I could keep going, but you get the idea – movements are done in community and fellowship.

3) Investment (Overflow)

Who are you investing in? Does God show you/teach you so much that you can’t be quiet about it and pass it on to others? Who are you leading? What are you giving? What would you die for? What would you sell everything for? This life started by sacrifice. Jesus died for you and you died so that He could live (Ga 2:20). If we are called to the same sacrificial mindset (Ph 2:5-11), we must be willing to stop at nothing to see His movement start. It might will take a radical set of people really following Jesus to see His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

4) Be intentional

Take steps carefully, waste no time and move ahead. I am dreaming of the day that I have a “war room” in my office with a map of church plants showing the ground we are taking for God. We are in the middle of a battle and we need to get moving. We must think how every conversation can move us ahead. Every empty store/office building/home may be used of God to change a community. We just don’t think intentionally too often. Too often we get focused on our kingdom/our life/our needs. Let’s pray and ask God for wisdom about who we should be investing in/where we should be going/what is the next hill to take/why we are sputtering. He will grant that prayer every time.

5) Pass it on (Repeat)

Don’t do “discipleship” and think that sitting in a class is enough to develop into a mature Christian. That statement seems too harsh – but I mean it. We are not sponges – we are hoses. We are meant to pass it on. We are meant to make disciples who make disciples. Imagine if Jesus’ dudes/ladies had kept it to themselves like so many of us do. Imagine if they had just passed it on to their children, like many today believe is the only answer. The church would get smaller/dwindle/die. I am grateful that they passed it on with the expectation that they would pass it on, etc. How are you doing? Are we creating a movement or an occupied territory? Those are two different things entirely. I am tired of occupying – I want a movement!