Movements That Change the World: Five Keys to Spreading the Gospel

by Steve Addison, Alan Hirsch (Foreword), Bob Roberts Jr. (Foreword)

When Jesus commissioned his followers, he was not just inaugurating the historical church, he was founding a missionary movement.Originally released by Missional Press and now revised and expanded to include a multi-session discussion guide, Steve Addison's Movements That Change the World draws from biblical, historical and contemporary case studies to isolate the essential elements of a dynamic missionary movement. The church fulfills its mission today to the extent that it honors these essential elements, modelled perfectly in Jesus’ missionary Throughout the ages Jesus' followers have been called to continue his movement in the power of the Holy Spirit. Like many such movements, it changed the world. Unlike most movements, which have their historical moment and then fade away, Christianity is actively, continually changing the world for the better.

Genres: Leadership, Christian

191 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how he describes movements like gardens. There is always something just sprouting, something in full bloom and something that is in decay. But the garden itself is full of life. That is how the movement of Jesus Christ (the Church) works. Great little book.

[Tim Casteel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the kind of book I like - short (129 pages), full of vision, and very practical. “Movements change people. And changed people change the world.”

From Biblical and historical examples of world-changing movements, Addison distills the essentials of movements. Read in tandem with Masterplan of Evangelism and you’ve got all you need to change the world for Christ.

[David Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to learn about the driving forces that caused certain Christian movements to be effective in the rapid expansion of Christianity, this is the book. I especially enjoyed the account of the growth of the faith on the frontiers of early America, and John Wesley's role.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it so far! Historical look at church planting movements and their characteristics.

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crisp, insightful writing from a seasoned but humble practitioner. Really a great 50,000 foot view of the shape and scope of missional movements illustrated by some compelling examples.

[Bill Forgeard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty inspiring stuff! Addison breaks down his 5 characteristics of a movement, and then tells a pile of amazing stories to explain each category. Reading this kind of book is good for my morale!

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading stories about God's church is inspiring.

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short overview of Christian movements. This is not an academic treatment but is a fair summary of much of what you learn in movement studies.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good description of a phenomenon in modern missions, the rise of people movements to Christ and how missionaries can cooperate with what God is doing through them.b

[Caitlin Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful and practical!