Movement Characteristics

We only scratched the surface yesterday on Chapter 6 of The Forgotten Ways Handbook. I wanted to share the following portion of Alan Hirsch’s Forgotten Ways (p. 193 of the 2006 “teacher’s version), which he in turn culled from Howard Snyder’s book, Signs of the Spirit. (I wrote the questions but took the list from Hirsch verbatim.)

Even before we knew what we were doing, when we began meeting in Spring 2008 we called ourselves a “movement.” Now it might be good to check ourselves against this list.

Characteristics of Movements

1. A thirst for renewal: A holy discontent with what exists precipitates a recovery of the vitality and patterns of the early church.
2. A new stress on the work of the Spirit: The work of the spirit is seen not only as important in the past but also as an experience in the present.
3. An institutional-charismatic tension: In almost every case of renewal, tensions within existing structures will arise (this raises the issue of wineskins).
4. A concern for being a counter-cultural community: Movements call the church to a more radical commitment and a more active tension with the world.
5. Nontraditional or non-ordained leadership: Renewal movements are often led by people with no recognized formal leadership status in the church. Spiritual authority is the key. Furthermore, women are noticeably more active in movements.
6. Ministry to the poor: Movements almost always involve people at the grassroots level. They actively involve the masses (the uneducated or socially outcast) and often start as mission on the edges and among the poor (St Francis, the Wesleys, Salvation Army, etc.)
7. Energy and dynamism: New movements have the ability to excite and enlist others as leaders and participants.

1. What are your thoughts or feelings?
2. Do you agree with this assessment of movements? Why or why not?
3. Which of these characteristics do  you see in the church at large?
4. Which do you see in your daily experience with your church or group?
5. What are your group’s strengths? In what areas would you like to see improvement?

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