The Movement is a fellowship of evangelical leaders, pastors, worship leaders, and thinkers dedicated to the renewal of genuine Christian faith in our communities. We seek to empower the local church to be the hope of its community through ministry partnerships, education and research, community engagement, and the promotion of the gospel.
It is our contention that the local church can influence its community unlike any other agency, organization, office, or individual. Its ability to assess its community's needs, develop personal relationships with its neighbors, and partner with other churches and agencies places the local church in a unique, God-given position to share the gospel in word and in deed. However, the evangelical voice is most commonly heard in sensationalized political and legal battles, public theological disagreements, and in defense of the falling and failings of its leaders. Evangelicals have a reputation for condemning the world they are called to love. Additionally, evangelical consumerism is at its highest and the cult of pastor personalities has detracted from the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ.
A new generation of Christians are emerging and a reformation of the heart of the Western Church is underway. Like Martin Luther once called for a return to the Scriptures, upcoming Christian leaders are calling for a return to "The Way" described in the Holy Bible. There is a growing shift from highlighting denominational differences to an emphasis of Christian unity, best described by 17th century German Lutheran theologian Repuertus Meldenius: "In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity." On the other hand, we are concerned about a popular trend of theological and moral relativism, an overemphasis on love while forsaking truth, and a rejection of Christians committed to traditional church participation.
We are committed to establishing partnerships in the evangelical community and providing a biblical foundation of support and accountability through those partnerships, all with the purpose of empowering the local church to be the hope its community. Furthermore, we are committed to engaging our church communities by sharing relevant education and research as how to best advocate for the gospel, how to embrace cultural relatability while avoiding theological and moral relativism, and offer guidance on the seemingly endless methods of assessing and interacting with one's community.
(Confessional Statement to follow shortly.)
It is our contention that the local church can influence its community unlike any other agency, organization, office, or individual. Its ability to assess its community's needs, develop personal relationships with its neighbors, and partner with other churches and agencies places the local church in a unique, God-given position to share the gospel in word and in deed. However, the evangelical voice is most commonly heard in sensationalized political and legal battles, public theological disagreements, and in defense of the falling and failings of its leaders. Evangelicals have a reputation for condemning the world they are called to love. Additionally, evangelical consumerism is at its highest and the cult of pastor personalities has detracted from the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ.
A new generation of Christians are emerging and a reformation of the heart of the Western Church is underway. Like Martin Luther once called for a return to the Scriptures, upcoming Christian leaders are calling for a return to "The Way" described in the Holy Bible. There is a growing shift from highlighting denominational differences to an emphasis of Christian unity, best described by 17th century German Lutheran theologian Repuertus Meldenius: "In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity." On the other hand, we are concerned about a popular trend of theological and moral relativism, an overemphasis on love while forsaking truth, and a rejection of Christians committed to traditional church participation.
We are committed to establishing partnerships in the evangelical community and providing a biblical foundation of support and accountability through those partnerships, all with the purpose of empowering the local church to be the hope its community. Furthermore, we are committed to engaging our church communities by sharing relevant education and research as how to best advocate for the gospel, how to embrace cultural relatability while avoiding theological and moral relativism, and offer guidance on the seemingly endless methods of assessing and interacting with one's community.
(Confessional Statement to follow shortly.)
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