Jul. 3, 2007
Church Planting · Jesus · Marshill · Pittsburgh · Theology · Tim Keller · Urban Missions · harbor · missional
Are “Movements” Wrong?
In recent talks with local church leaders and pastors, I have heard alot of talk about people who are empire building. They are hesitant to embrace what groups Harbor, and Redeemer and Mars Hill, are doing. These local people that I’ve talked to are hesitant to be seen or to move towards creating any “movement”.
Of course its wrong for men to believe that their ministry is not successful until they have a nice big church of 1200, with a “movement”.
So are “movements” wrong? Or are todays movements simply what would have been called a revival in the 20th century? If so, isn’t it right to say that every minister’s goal to building an empire, not his own but Jesus’?
I think sometimes our hesitation around movements is a result of fear, cowardice, or simply a lack of faith in the power of Christ.
We can handle our own churches of 500 or less, but if we are going to see a movement it will require greater accountability, more grace shown (especially to those outside of our denominational bounds) and probably less credit given to 90% of the people involved.
There are good reasons to be suspicious of movements as well, I just hate to see the Kingdom sacrifice because we as Christians can’t learn, or don’t want to learn to grow and build it together through Christ.
my $.02
Posted by Kevin on Wednesday, Jul. 4, 2007.Thats interesting because I think some of these people’s hesitation come from a dislike of how guys at the center draw so much attention to themselves.
Posted by Sam on Wednesday, Jul. 4, 2007.Unfortunately there are some guys who want to build their own empires. But there are other guys who are simply seeking to fulfill the vision that Christ has given them for his kingdom.
I agree that there are guys who want to build their own empires, (and honestly, there is at least a small part of all pastors that struggle with that) but I thank God for what I have learned through Mars Hill, Harbor and Redeemer.
Maybe it is a lack of self-confidence?
by the way - there is an Acts 29 boot camp in Raleigh, N.C. in September, one in Chicago in January and one in NYC with Tim Keller in April. You should come out to one of them - you should also consider applying to become a member. We need more pca guys in the network.
Posted by Kevin on Wednesday, Jul. 4, 2007.