Movement Mindset, No Matter the Existential Crisis
Adapted from R. Nyman
Movement brother S., talked through how his movement leaders approached an Ebola response with a movement mindset in his region of Africa in 2011-2013.
1. Fear is the most crippling of enemies which the Enemy of our souls will use if given opportunity.
2. God’s people need to move toward crisis, not away from it.
God’s people need to move toward crisis, not away from it.
3. Worship as warfare
4. Prayed fervently, consistently
5. Intentionality in unity - Spirit led-directed unity-to practice listening together to hear and obey together-Acts 15:28
6. Educated themselves in phases of trauma response
7. Served in the hard places, lost many
8. Tracking of movement process with us end vision intentionality. They had seen massive reproducing of multiple generations of new followers in households prior to the Ebola outbreak. At the time of, and in the immediate couple of years ensuing, the multiplication of these Discovery Groups coming to follow into forming house fellowships declined by 95%. The movement catalysts, local generational leaders, were re-purposed to serve in practical ways during this time. This actually gave them great beach heads (models) for future harvest in formerly closed radical communities, who remembered that there were Isa followers who served and loved them in their hard losses and places. They were so moved by the gospel and its messengers that they were softened to the gospel in future years. The beautiful weaving of being and doing in the name of Jesus is seen here. Social gospel without the power of the gospel is good works which glorify the do-er. For God’s glory, the both “doing” and “being” the gospel of Jesus with clearly spoken reasons of the “do-er” being a Jesus follower and obeying his lead, brings glory to God alone, not man.
Take strategic long view in short term response to crisis.
In the book of Daniel, there are great reminders of steadfast confidence in God Almighty, no matter the existential crisis of the year or, in his case the 69 years. Pursuing the biblical vision of stepping into crisis, as fear's end game in the hands of the enemy of our souls is always to cripple, to debilitate, to annihilate any semblance of living a reproducing worthy life.
May the Lord give you and your people an increase of knowledge, insight, and wisdom in these times. And may the kingdom of reproducing disciples and churches of those who love and obey Jesus be increased among your people and places of focus.