Pioneering Movements: 4. Removing obstacles
When four generations of disciples and churches are the norm, you're in the middle of a church planting movement (CPM). It's hard enough to get to a CPM. They are just as hard to sustain. Here are some obstacles that a CPM must overcome if it is to survive and grow.
- Traditional church culture. A counter-traditional Christian culture must be created. Tradition kills the Spirits liberty to move, New wine in New wineskins is a must.
- Excitement over first and second generation growth must be directed toward third generation and beyond. A focus must be kept toward getting to movement.
- Foreign funding can divert the energy of the movement. Outside resources meant to help, redirect energy toward projects and individuals that stop movements.
- Leaders bought out by other missions. Everyone will want a piece of the action once word gets out. Leaders and their churches will be tempted by foreign funding and fame.
- Traditional Christians quenching Spirit-led progress. Persecution from local denominations who are threatened when their unbiblical traditions are not honored.
- Money and structures misused. Funds poured into buildings rather than reaching lost people in new fields. Forcing a living movement into a formal, controlling, structure.
- Lack of long term training. Movements have a huge appetite for biblical truth, getting it to them in a reproducible method is a must.
- Sterile methodologies. Outsiders bringing methods that are too complicated, foreign, or costly to reproduce locally.
- Denominations and ordinations. Once leaders become successful they will be tempted to protect their power base through professional elitism.
Previously: Pioneering Movements: 3. The role of insiders
