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Core Assumption…. We all want to be a part of a movement…. Core Conviction…. The movement we are made to be a part of is God’s gospel movement…. Gospel movements start with awakened people…. Ministry is getting Christ & then living compelled to show others how you got Him!.
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Core Assumption… We all want to be a part of a movement…
Core Conviction… The movement we are made to be a part of is God’s gospel movement…
Gospel movements start with awakened people… Ministry is getting Christ & then living compelled to show others how you got Him!
John Wesley & the Methodist Movement “He lived an austere lifestyle and shunned every distraction to his calling. He endured the strain of constant travel on horseback and of long, hard days of work. He traveled almost a quarter of a million miles on horseback, preached 40,000 sermons and saw over 100,000 conversions. By the end of his life there were 71,463 Methodists in Britain and 61,811 in the United States. Methodism was well on the way to becoming a worldwide movement. Today there are over 33 million Methodists worldwide and many more in the movements that Wesley inspired.” (Addison in Movements…)
Is this really biblical, healthy, important? Jesus’ thoughts… • Luke 14:25-2725 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. • Family was even more important and central in Jesus’ culture than it is in ours…
Is this really biblical, healthy, important? Paul’s thoughts… • Romans 12:1-5 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. . . . 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. • Individualistic & cultural agendas had to be resisted in Paul’s day as well…
Is this really biblical, healthy, important? Peter’s thoughts… • 1 Peter 1:13,22-2313 prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. . . . 22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. • Fervent love from the heart took them tremendous time just like it will us…
Is this really biblical, healthy, important? New Testament Descriptive Norms… • Acts 2:42-4742 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. • They had to choose to be high commitment believers/church, just like we will…
What is an “ethos”? • the distinctive character, spirit, and attitudes of a people, culture, era, etc. • underlying expectations, theology, application of theology, decision-making…all mixed together • Where our theology meets our value system… • Our ethos is what already is in a church.
Ethos revealers & shapers • What makes a good Christian meeting? • What is permissible? • What is expected of the normal member of this fellowship? • How much time should be devoted to fellowship, discipleship, evangelism, etc.? • What does it mean and what will it take to adequately equip workers for ministry?
Ethos change requires CULTIVATION • Takes care (personally & corporately) • Takes energy • Takes focus • Takes modeling • Takes coordination • Takes blood, sweat, & tears • Takes tremendous time • Takes the work of the Spirit
What is a committed ethos in a church? • People hungry to learn the Word • People passionately praying for the advance of the Gospel (NOT OPTIONAL!!!) • People can’t get enough of rich, refreshing fellowship • People are intentionally & regularly engaging people with the Gospel • People are lining up to get equipped • People are adjusting their schedules & making their lives leaner so that they can be more engaged • Counter-cultural, sacrificial giving trends
Do we have any frame of reference for this level of commitment? We have tremendous commitment in our culture…to the WORLD SYSTEM!!! • Sacrifice family for this value system…and it is the PRIMARY SHAPER OF OUR FAMILY!
Do we have any frame of reference for this level of commitment? We have tremendous commitment in our culture…to the WORLD SYSTEM!!! • Sacrifice family for this value system…and it is the PRIMARY SHAPER OF OUR FAMILY!
Do we have any frame of reference for this level of commitment? We have tremendous commitment in our culture…to the WORLD SYSTEM!!! • Sacrifice family for this value system…and it is the PRIMARY SHAPER OF OUR FAMILY! • Most people fervently love this value system from the heart • Most people are devoted to this value system
Elements needed to keep “turning the ship”? • Strongly held convictions that this is what life is really all about • Keep unapologetically arguing for this ethos • Celebrate genuine, grace-filled commitment • Keep encouraging the steps of faith we observe • Keep teaching, teaching, teaching at all levels… • Honestly evaluate & openly mourn failure • Be willing to lose people
What will kill a committed ethos? • Militantly soft members • Excessive pragmatism • Some needed steps may cause seemingly poor results in the short-run • Faithfulness to God is primary…results are secondary… • Cynicism (scoff at commitment) • Defeatism & despair • A wrong understanding of “failure” • Daily grind of negative inertia • Practical prayerlessness
