Transition to a dynamic missional movement.

The transition into a dynamic missional movement

David Broodryk

We live in very turbulent and disturbing times. The world is busy changing before our eyes at a rate never before witnessed in history. In nation after nation we are seeing the death of Christiandom, where Christianity was the dominant mindset and influence. With the rise of Postmodernism, we now live in an “anything goes” society. The church of Jesus Christ is also in transition. Worldwide, God is busy re-engineering the church. Personally, I am determined not to miss out on the next move of the Holy Spirit. So my wife and I have taken the leap of faith and transitioned our local church into a church planting movement.

The transition has taken us into unknown territory beyond our comfort Zones. To quote Star Trek, we are going “where no man has been before!” In our case, certainly where none of us have been before.

Why the change? I feel a bit like Martin Luther when faced with the decision to remain with the status quo or risk his life for the reformation. Ours may not be a literal life or death issue, but his words ring true: “Here I stand, I can do no other!” Yes, we needed to change in order to break from the religious system. We also needed to change because there is a better way to do things.

But the biggest reason we changed is because God ordered it, ordained it and we could do no other ! He is busy building, engineering and transforming the church worldwide in order to contain the new outpouring of His Spirit. “In Him, you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:23

During 2007 we ended Kingdom People as a static local church and birthed a new movement. The Lord has changed our entire identity into a missional church-planting movement. This has affected our values and structures to the point where we are no longer defined as “a local church in Midrand,’ but as “a movement of people who love Jesus and are used by Him to establish His Kingdom.”

I cannot over-estimate how far-reaching and revolutionary this change has been. Thankfully, the Lord had planted the seeds in our hearts over the  years and many of us already had a deep connection with the values that we needed to  navigate into this new move.

WHAT’S IN THE NAME?

When Michelle and I first moved to Midrand, we had a clear word from the Lord to plant a different type of church. It would be a church based on relationships rather than programs. It would reflect a people passionate for the Kingdom, rather than a man with a message promoting an institution. The  name “Kingdom People” seemed fitting to describe this.

Over the first five years, we were tempted many times to revert to a “normal” church, but the name helped remind us of our core values.

MISSIONAL?

For a long time I have promoted a movement that goes to people rather than an organization that tries to attract people. For too long the church has left the “going” to paid missionaries and neglected our own call to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Our western “sit and soak” mentality of Christianity – where church has become a group of people listening to one man on Sundays – has to end! We do not need another sermon, teaching or course. We need to go in the power of the Holy Spirit and discover that God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways.

In order to promote and live this value, God needs to transform our very identity from that of static institutions into fluid movements. For us this meant literally shutting down the local church and reopening as a missional church-planting movement. Our relationships have remained. We still meet to pray for and encourage one another. Many of our core values remain. Michelle and I still serve and lead Kingdom People. But a revolution has taken place in our core identity and structure. God has changed our wineskin to prepare for the new wine.

A CHURCH-PLANTING MOVEMENT

The idea of complex, static, institutional churches drawing members to themselves is unbiblical. No-where in the New Testament do we find the modern concept of “church.” Instead, when we read Acts we discover simple, reproducing communities who live in Christ and multiply rapidly in church-planting movements. Such movements are the only hope for our world today. Across the world, Jesus movements are busy re-defining the face of Christianity. In China, it is estimated that over 20 000 people a day are coming to Christ through these movements. In America, George Barna (an internationally respected statistician) reckons that over 70 million American adults are already involved in such movements and it forms the fastest-growing segment of the church today! In India there is a sweeping move of the Holy Spirit outside the confines of the institutional church. These are only some of the astounding things we find when we open our eyes to the move of God worldwide.

MOVEMENT

The idea of church as an inert institution with paid clergy who maintain a system to serve those who pay them is unbiblical. No-where in scripture do we find “full-time” Pastors paid to endlessly preach to the church. What we find in the New Testament is self-functioning communities living the Gospel of the Kingdom and supporting Apostolic Teams.

Instead of leader-dependence, we find many exhortations for the church to practice “one anothering.” We are told to love one another, serve one another, pray for one another and encourage one another. These and other commands place a high value on “Body Life” as opposed to our modern form of “Church Service.” Leadership in scripture is very different to what we find today. In scripture we find Elders, Deacons and Apostolic church planters.

But we will struggle to find the C.E.O. type preacher of today. Local churches were led by Elders and servants called Deacons. Financially, churches supported itinerant church-planting teams. Sending the Good News with apostolic teams was much more important than building institutions.

VALUE RE-ALIGNMENT

Before we change structures and behaviour patterns, we need to change values. All of us have a set of learned Christian values. Some are Biblical and some are unbiblical – based on our experience and tradition. We need to constantly allow God to change and transform our value systems to align with God’s Word.

Do not conform any longer 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. Romans 12:2 (NIV)

The Missional movements emerging around the world today may introduce some concepts that do not agree with your value system. Some are so radical they are not even recognized by the world of Christiandom. But I challenge you to examine them in the light of God’s Word. The Bible, not tradition, opinion, or “the norm,” is our final authority.

SHIFT

In an obvious play on words, I recently saw a book titled “Shift happens.” We often like to say, “Constant change is here to stay.” However, few of us like change. Even when we like the  changes being made, something within us wants to rebel at the very concept of change. We prefer the comfortable and the familiar. But God is doing something fresh, exciting and new. I want to part of it – I want to be where the Spirit of God is active, restoring and moving. God is on the move and I am going to pursue Him. I invite you to come with me.

There are not many guarantees and not many role models. But there will also be few dull moments. It’s all a wild ride from here on!