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

white-hot faithcommitment to the causecontagious relationshipsrapid mobilizationadaptive methodsThroughout 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: Christian, Evangelism, Faith, Church, Christianity

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2011

Reviews

[Jessica Goodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an insightful look at how Christian movements have made impactful changes in the world. It is heavily geared toward evangelism and missions, and there is a great study guide in the back of the book.

[Avery · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a lot of 5-star ideas in this book, but at some points I think the author goes a little too far. I love what he has to say in this book about the deviation that extremely organized, well-financed, rules-based, large institutions have made from Jesus’ model of discipleship and multiplication. This is a huge lesson much of American Christianity could learn from, myself included. He advocates for and shows how historically the Gospel of Jesus Christ has gone forth in a grassroots way: without funding, without formal education, without immense organization. A great reminder and calling. However, at points it seems he paints a picture that seems formulaic, downplays the benefits of seminary education, and implies that the gospel only goes forth in ‘movements’. I think
this book can leave behind the hard-working, faithful pastor of a congregation of 50 who never sees thousands come to Christ.

Despite the 3-star rating, I do think this is a beneficial book to read and would recommend it, whilst also reading with discernment and alongside Scripture.

[Scott Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on cpm. Done through looking at different movements in church history. After going through the account of the movement, different cpm characteristics are brought it. It is very global in it's view of cpm, not containing to either the east or the west.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent insight and challenging the missions paradigm of the last fifty years. A MUST read for anyone with a heart for missions.

[Amy Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were several things in this book I could get behind, like being methodologically flexible and giving away authority (last two chapters). The actual action points were nebulous to me, and I am left not quite sure what to do with the first two principles, which may be the most important—faith in Christ and a clear focus on God’s mission. The overall attitude of the book seemed to me to be that God’s preferred (or perhaps only) method of working is through movements, and that if you aren’t seeing a movement, you’re probably not doing it right. I’d like to ask the author how he believes God works through institutions or faithful service that yields little fruit by way of conversions.

Trying to orchestrate a movement seems to be akin to me to an overpreoccuptuon with results/salvations. Focusing more on trying to orchestrate God‘s movements rather than faithfully doing the few things he has called us to do seems like a surefire recipe for burnout. I’d like to talk to someone who really loves these principles to hear how they apply these principles.

[Stephen Matlock · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are two threads in this book -
1. Here are some vital movements and threads in Christianity since Jesus left this world.
2. Here are the only models that work, and no other models work.

I got the first one just fine, but I'm skeptical of the second. It feels too simple, although I *like* the models that are presented.

[Stuart Gunner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that Addison rightly emphasizes elements such as transferable ministry models. However, I think he downplays formal seminary education, and normal/steady ministry. His book is largely historical to highlight some movements throughout Christian History and what he thinks attributed to that. Even when he hones in on ideas like adaptive methods, he stays at a 30,000 foot view.

[Lane Corley · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Universal Keys to Spreading the Gospel and Starting a Movement:

1. white-hot faith
2. commitment to the cause
3. contagious relationships
4. rapid mobilization
5. adaptive methods

Love Steve Addison's books, and all his resources at movements.net.

[Haley Juarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Christian movement is like a garden. A healthy garden is a diverse ecosystem; new plants are always coming into existence, other plants are flourishing, and still others are dying and decaying. The garden lives on in a continuing state of renewal.”

[Paytron Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is super helpful for thinking through the framework for how movements have been sustained. Some really great insights that can be incorporated into ministry structure and how leaders are equipped.

[Caitlin Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

A life-changing book. Will make you reconsider how you do ministry (for the better)

[C.J. Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s okay. Mostly historical, providing common elements of movements. But don’t be deceived—this book isn’t really about CPM/DMM.

[Lindsay Rivers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good content the writing style just wasn’t for me

[Bledar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a collection of inspiring stories. It tells you of five things that you find in common in movements that are changing the world. You start with a passionate faith that commits to a cause, as they go about in contagious relationships, rapidly mobilising and adapting methods to the things that work.

[Konstantin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has started a paradigm shift for me. For years Church Planting Movements (CPM) were of little interest to me, seemed less important that investing deeply into a few men. It doesn't have to be either, or, but rather both. The author helped me to see how God's been using the movements in history for advancing the gospel and how the gospel can spread over relational networks over multiple generations of laborers living and discipling among the lost.

[David Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does a fine job of identifying the driving principles behind great movements of God, and does it with lots of fascinating stories from the story of the church through the centuries. If you want to understand some of the driving forces behind periods of exceptional growth in Christianity, this is a fine resource.

[Don Kauffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was helpful in gaining a heart to grow the church further, not just bigger. Easy to read. Incredible awakening to church done the old way. Some hard realities that challenges today's American church, but for the better.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was motivating to read about historical and current Christian movements that change the world! The only caution is that the author takes a rapid multiplication stance which can result in weak theology and poor discipleship. Worth the read though.

[Matthew Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

What has worked in the past? This can give indicators and even encouragement as we look forward to advancing the Kingdom. This book gives insight into how the Gospel has advanced drawing samples from many different cultures and contexts as well as historical periods.

[Alister Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and concise challenge to reach the world following Jesus' model.