Comments on: Are we a movement? http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/06/09/are-we-a-movement.html Steve Addison's blog about movements for the renewal and expansion of the church. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:57:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: » Learning from PaulSteve Addison’s blog » World Changers http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/06/09/are-we-a-movement.html#comment-8941 » Learning from PaulSteve Addison’s blog » World Changers Mon, 04 Dec 2006 06:53:26 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/06/09/are-we-a-movement.html#comment-8941 [...] The breakthroughs in the renewal and expansion of the Christian movement always occur on the fringe, never at the centre of ecclesiastical power. (Paul Pierson) [...] [...] The breakthroughs in the renewal and expansion of the Christian movement always occur on the fringe, never at the centre of ecclesiastical power. (Paul Pierson) [...]

]]> By: BlogRodent » Is the Assemblies of God a cult? http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/06/09/are-we-a-movement.html#comment-333 BlogRodent » Is the Assemblies of God a cult? Mon, 30 Jan 2006 09:20:57 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/06/09/are-we-a-movement.html#comment-333 [...] Are we a movement? [...] [...] Are we a movement? [...]

]]> By: How the (wild) west was won » Steve Addison’s blog » World Changers http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/06/09/are-we-a-movement.html#comment-316 How the (wild) west was won » Steve Addison’s blog » World Changers Tue, 24 Jan 2006 09:25:19 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/06/09/are-we-a-movement.html#comment-316 [...] Here’s what I’m learning. . . 1.The “fringe principle” again Without exception, the breakthroughs in the expansion and the renewal of the church occur on the fringe and never at the centre of ecclesiastic power (Paul Pierson, Fuller Seminary). 2.Without faith it’s impossible The upstart Methodists and Baptists had none of the resources, education, or social prestige of the mainline churches, but they had faith. By faith they were willing to risk everything in order to win a new generation to Christ. A white-hot faith alone was sufficient to conquer the US frontier. 3.Apostolic leadership You cannot explain the rise of British Methodism without reference to John Wesley. So you cannot explain the rise of American Methodism without reference to Francis Asbury. His apostolic vision and example, inspired a new generation of pioneering leaders who functioned like a Protestant version of the Catholic religious orders. 4.Rapid deployment In a crisis you do not ask: Who has proper qualifications? You ask: Who can get the job done? The US frontier confronted the churches with a crisis of opportunity. The movements that deployed under-educated, under-funded, gifted, called and committed lay people, got the job done. 5.Growing leaders The upstarts were not opposed to training their leaders. They just did their training on the job. The mainline churches preferred well-paid and educated clergy whose faith had been tamed by secularized theology in a classroom environment. The outcome was predictable. 6.Mission structures Both movements structured for mission and rapid growth. They allowed maximum authority and responsibility on the front line. The ‘glue’ that held these movements together was not a tight organizational structure but their commitment to a common cause. The Methodists had the best of both worlds. Local autonomy supplemented by itinerant circuit riders who pioneered new territory and strengthened the growing network of churches. 7.Eventual but not inevitable decline Eventually the Methodists joined the ranks of the more sedate mainline churches and moved into decline. Why? Their circuit riders got off their horses to become settled parish clergy. Secularized theological education replaced life-long, on the job, ministry training. A professional elite disempowered ordinary people called and willing to serve. Perhaps some of them went off and planted Baptist churches instead! [...] [...] Here’s what I’m learning. . . 1.The “fringe principle” again Without exception, the breakthroughs in the expansion and the renewal of the church occur on the fringe and never at the centre of ecclesiastic power (Paul Pierson, Fuller Seminary). 2.Without faith it’s impossible The upstart Methodists and Baptists had none of the resources, education, or social prestige of the mainline churches, but they had faith. By faith they were willing to risk everything in order to win a new generation to Christ. A white-hot faith alone was sufficient to conquer the US frontier. 3.Apostolic leadership You cannot explain the rise of British Methodism without reference to John Wesley. So you cannot explain the rise of American Methodism without reference to Francis Asbury. His apostolic vision and example, inspired a new generation of pioneering leaders who functioned like a Protestant version of the Catholic religious orders. 4.Rapid deployment In a crisis you do not ask: Who has proper qualifications? You ask: Who can get the job done? The US frontier confronted the churches with a crisis of opportunity. The movements that deployed under-educated, under-funded, gifted, called and committed lay people, got the job done. 5.Growing leaders The upstarts were not opposed to training their leaders. They just did their training on the job. The mainline churches preferred well-paid and educated clergy whose faith had been tamed by secularized theology in a classroom environment. The outcome was predictable. 6.Mission structures Both movements structured for mission and rapid growth. They allowed maximum authority and responsibility on the front line. The ‘glue’ that held these movements together was not a tight organizational structure but their commitment to a common cause. The Methodists had the best of both worlds. Local autonomy supplemented by itinerant circuit riders who pioneered new territory and strengthened the growing network of churches. 7.Eventual but not inevitable decline Eventually the Methodists joined the ranks of the more sedate mainline churches and moved into decline. Why? Their circuit riders got off their horses to become settled parish clergy. Secularized theological education replaced life-long, on the job, ministry training. A professional elite disempowered ordinary people called and willing to serve. Perhaps some of them went off and planted Baptist churches instead! [...]

]]> By: Brett http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/06/09/are-we-a-movement.html#comment-40 Brett Fri, 17 Jun 2005 03:43:14 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/06/09/are-we-a-movement.html#comment-40 Another question to keep you busy Steve (now that the Mighty Pies have a week's rest): How do you think the 'emerging' type churches compare with the house church movement of the 70s, and what lessons might be learned from this? Another question to keep you busy Steve (now that the Mighty Pies have a week’s rest):

How do you think the ‘emerging’ type churches compare with the house church movement of the 70s, and what lessons might be learned from this?

]]> By: Saint Gaz http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/06/09/are-we-a-movement.html#comment-34 Saint Gaz Sat, 11 Jun 2005 01:21:34 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/06/09/are-we-a-movement.html#comment-34 As I read through that I found myself ticking off them in my mind. Certainly my heart is there and what I'm doing through Myriad corresponds with those ideas. The big thing is to recognise that we will one day end up in the centre and some young punks will come and tell us that we aren't doing church the best way! And of course, we'll probably write them off and they'll start somethign great for God! As I read through that I found myself ticking off them in my mind. Certainly my heart is there and what I’m doing through Myriad corresponds with those ideas.
The big thing is to recognise that we will one day end up in the centre and some young punks will come and tell us that we aren’t doing church the best way!
And of course, we’ll probably write them off and they’ll start somethign great for God!

]]> By: Steve http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/06/09/are-we-a-movement.html#comment-28 Steve Thu, 09 Jun 2005 09:23:03 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/06/09/are-we-a-movement.html#comment-28 Andrew, enjoying your blog. I'm familiar with Edwin Orr. What's the best way to access John Robb on movements? The best book I've read was recommended by Bobby Clinton at Fuller—Gerlach and Hine, People, Power, Change Movements of Social Transformation ( Bobbs-Merrill, 1970). Howard Snyder, Signs of the Spirit is also good. Great to have a fan like Alan Hirsch! Andrew, enjoying your blog.

I’m familiar with Edwin Orr. What’s the best way to access John Robb on movements?

The best book I’ve read was recommended by Bobby Clinton at Fuller—Gerlach and Hine, People, Power, Change Movements of Social Transformation ( Bobbs-Merrill, 1970). Howard Snyder, Signs of the Spirit is also good.

Great to have a fan like Alan Hirsch!

]]> By: andrew jones http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/06/09/are-we-a-movement.html#comment-27 andrew jones Thu, 09 Jun 2005 08:09:12 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/06/09/are-we-a-movement.html#comment-27 thanks steve Dr Pierson was my teacher at Fuller. A pity that J. Edward Orr is not around to upload some thoughts for us. John Robb (WorldVision - People Group Thinking) has also been helpful. Alan Hirch mentioned you today on my blog comments blessings thanks steve

Dr Pierson was my teacher at Fuller. A pity that J. Edward Orr is not around to upload some thoughts for us. John Robb (WorldVision – People Group Thinking) has also been helpful.

Alan Hirch mentioned you today on my blog comments

blessings

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