Jesus The Center
“We still have so much to learn, so much to do, and so far to go, but we are confident that God is ‘on the move…” -Kirsten Strand, Community 4:12
In our last post, we looked at the way one church is learning to build bridges between their safe, sacred spaces on Sunday and the hurting secular world throughout the rest of the week. And even though they have much to do and far to go, they are a wonderful example of this Missional Resurgence that’s not only rebuilding hope in communities, but much needed trust in the church as well.
Element #1: Jesus at the Center
In his book The Forgotten Ways, Alan Hirsch ponders the power behind resurgence:
“Imagine there was a power that lies hidden at the very heart of God’s people. Suppose this power was built into the initiating ‘stem cell’ of the church by the Holy Spirit but was somehow buried and lost through centuries of neglect and disuse. Imagine that if rediscovered, this hidden power could unleash remarkable energies that could propel Christianity well into the twenty-second century– a missional equivalent to unlocking the power of the atom”
Hirsch believes such a power exists and is a clearly identified phenomena that has energized history’s most outstanding Jesus movements. Here’s his graphic of the six foundational elements of this phenomena we call Missional Resurgence:
The central character of the New Testament is Jesus Christ. He must be at the center of any Missional Resurgence. Yet, according to Hirsch:
“…History amply demonstrates how we as God’s people can so often obscure the centrality of Jesus in our experience of church. It is remarkable how Jesus can so easily be cast out from among his people. Have you ever wondered why in Revelation 3:20 Jesus is seen standing outside the church knocking at the door and asking to come in? How did he get out from among His people in the first place?!”
Though Hirsch’s thoughts may be a bit unnerving, they are still hopeful. How do they hit you?
We’ll be exploring the other five foundational elements from the graphic next.
Ed,
I remember when I came home as a 12 year old who had just encountered God and he literally changed me; so much that my parents gave their hearts to God because of the insane – obvious change in my life. So, like my story, many of us have heard, ‘wow, there is something different about you’. And we like to get all excited, like it’s the conversion moment and slam dunk discipleship is right at our finger tips.
Well, how about this one: lately, especially in my relationship with non/un/de/ex-Christians, I tend to hear this statement: “You’re different. You don’t remind me of other Christians.”
Hhmm…..so instead of people seeing a difference in a Christian and a non-Christian, now people are pointing out the diffrence in Christians. Wow – after typing that, I don’t even know what to say……….
Pick you buzzword: missional, ancient future, postmodern, modernitiy, or whatever…………last I checked less of me and more of Him equaled a fruity deliscous tree of life that when picked on and from gave life to others.
Great post my friend – now I’m really fired up before bed….thanks.
Michael
Michael,
You continue to provoke and inspire. I love your passion and creative…well bazaar… mind. And yes, in the end the true inspiration comes from what you shared….less of me…more of Him. Love the thought!
Your a blessing, friend