As we pursue movement, there are some key shifts that need to take place in our thinking and in our actions. Listen as C. Anderson and I discuss these 12 mindset shifts.
Mindset Shifts for Movement
Earlier this year I wrapped up a series of episodes with Cynthia Anderson about the mindset shifts that need to occur in us as we pursue movement. Cynthia put these key lessons into a book, and in this episode, we talk about a few additions to the mindsets we covered, plus we hear an amazing modern-day parable.
Old Mindset: There is one “Christian way” to express worship and to be the church. It looks the same across all cultures.
New Mindset: God is greatly glorified through authentic, indigenous, expressions of worship and of His body.
Old Mindset: Individuals must make spiritual decisions for themselves. They need one-on-one discipleship to grow and become mature.
New Mindset: In many cultures, decisions are generally made in groups. Jesus rarely trained individuals, but taught, modeled and trained in groups.
Old Mindset: Training is an event you invite people to attend and complete.
New Mindset: We train, follow up, coach, and filter, (and repeat) as we walk with people in their development. People mature as they serve.
Old Mindset: Church Planters need years of seminary or other training to be successful, wise, and fruitful.
New Mindset: “On the job” and “just-in-time” training, are simple Jesus-style means of training disciple-makers and leaders.
Old Mindset: Full-time professionals are the primary church planters and ministers.
New Mindset: As leaders, our job is to disciple disciple-makers and train trainers.
Old Mindset: Local, common believers are NOT qualified and shouldn’t plant churches or do ministry until they are ordained.
New Mindset: Every believer is commissioned by Jesus to make disciples and do the work of the ministry.
Old Mindset: Trained experts, and mature, knowledgeable, Christians spread the gospel most effectively.
New Mindset: The stories and message of Jesus spread most rapidly through those new to faith or exploring faith.
Old Mindset: My people group or area is too resistant to see a movement.
New Mindset: There are people who are ripe for harvest in every people group, geographical area, and sphere of society.
Old Mindset: Prayer is important but is an extra “spiritual” thing I do before I start the real work of reaching people.
New Mindset: Prayer itself is ministry. Investing time in extraordinary prayer is as important as anything else I do to reach the lost.
We already have enough to see the greater multiplication of disciples. We may need to do things differently.
Old Mindset: Multiplication of disciples is a good idea, but it probably won’t happen here.
New Mindset: God is starting Disciple-Making Movements through ordinary people, on many continents, and He will start more.
Old Mindset: I must work hard for the lost to receive the gospel.
New Mindset: God is already at work in my area. I must learn to partner with what he is doing.