Moving the Church: Transforming Lives and Society

Moving the Church: A Call to Make a Real Difference in Society

As church-movers, our focus is to bring about a tangible change in society. We firmly believe that by moving our church, we have the power to change the world. How is this possible? It all starts with understanding that the church has the ability to transform people's lives. And when individuals, as ambassadors of Christ, are transformed, they go on to shape their neighborhoods, cities, and nations.

But what exactly does it mean to "move your church"? No, we're not talking about physically relocating the building or changing the time and place of weekly gatherings. Instead, we are referring to moving the people within the church. It involves mobilizing the entire body and its individual members to make an impact. And as they are moved, they, in turn, move others, creating a ripple effect that spreads far and wide.

So, where do we move them to?

We move people from the darkness of sin to the light of Christ. The apostle Paul spoke of turning people "from darkness to light" (Acts 26:18). This transformation is ultimately the work of God (Colossians 1:13), but He uses us as vessels to bring about this change. We move people from ignorance and unbelief to saving faith and repentance, leading them into a life of conversion. And once they have experienced this initial change, we continue to move them from a state of immature Christianity to one of spiritual maturity (Colossians 1:28–29; 2 Timothy 3:16–17).

One of the key ways we move people is through the consistent sharing of ourselves with them (1 Thessalonians 2:8). Paul instructs those who have experienced God's mercy to actively engage in the lives of others, weaving themselves into their stories. This involves loving one another with brotherly affection, showing honor, being constant in prayer, meeting one another's needs, showing hospitality, blessing those who persecute us, and rejoicing and weeping with others (Romans 12:10, 12–15).

Additionally, we must continue to share Jesus with them, even after their conversion. We need to speak the truth in love, allowing the body of Christ to grow and be built up, shaped, and transformed (Ephesians 4:15). This is how we truly move the church.

Now, let's delve into the eight moves we can take to guide individuals towards Christian maturity:

1. Contact: Building Relationships

The first step is to actively meet and engage with our neighbors, co-workers, and classmates. This begins by making an effort to remember their names and learning more about them. We should seek to understand their stories, what brought them to our neighborhood or workplace, their family dynamics, occupation, and key relationships. Embracing small talk and surface-level conversations is not just about being polite, but about genuinely loving and caring for them.

2. Converse: Meaningful Conversations

Moving beyond small talk, we should aim to have meaningful conversations with others. This involves asking good questions to generate deeper discussions. We need to learn the art of drawing people out, allowing them to share more of themselves. By being vulnerable and open ourselves, we create a space for others to do the same. This kind of dialogue goes beyond mere factual statements and delves into what we each think and feel, fostering more genuine connections.

3. Community: Introducing People to Christian Community

Once we have established meaningful connections and conversations with our neighbors or co-workers, it's important to introduce them to our Christian community. This community is our church family. Jesus taught that people would recognize the Father's sentness through our unity with one another (John 17:21, 23). Our love for one another is a testament to our discipleship (John 13:34–35). By inviting others into our community, they can witness the love and unity that comes from the gospel. They will experience something different from what they are used to and get a taste of the transformative power of Christ in action.

4. Gospel: Sharing the Good News

Throughout our conversations and interactions, our neighbors or co-workers may have already heard snippets of the gospel. However, at some point, we need to clearly and concisely explain the good news of Jesus Christ and call them to respond. The gospel is the core message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection and what it means for us individually and as a community. We can offer to read the Bible with them, opening up more opportunities for gospel conversations.

5. Convert: Calling to Faith and Repentance

Once someone has heard and understood the gospel, we can call them to trust in Jesus Christ and turn from their sin. Faith comes by hearing the message about Christ (Romans 10:17). Repentance involves abandoning faith in ourselves, our sin, our righteousness, and our old way of pursuing life and happiness. When someone repents and puts their trust in Jesus, they experience conversion. They are transferred from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of the Son (Colossians 1:13). They become new Christians.

6. Commit: Going Public with Faith

Jesus never intended for our faith to remain private. Truly trusting and following Jesus requires a public declaration. This happens initially through baptism (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38–41), where new believers publicly identify with Christ's death and resurrection. It is also expressed through active church membership, which is regularly reinforced through participation in the Lord's Supper. Encouraging new Christians to go public by joining a gospel-centered church through baptism and maintaining active church membership is crucial.

7. Grow: Nurturing Conviction and Character

Once someone is committed to the church, it is essential to help them grow in their understanding of the Bible and the character of Christ. Teaching them theology and biblical principles (2 Timothy 3:16–17) strengthens their conviction. It is equally important to continue proclaiming Jesus to them, warning and teaching with all wisdom, laboring and striving for their joy with God's divine strength (Colossians 1:28–29). Rebuking, correcting, and restoring one another also plays a vital role in character development, as we learn to love God and resist sin in our daily decisions.

8. Go: Serving and Discipling Others

Growth in Bible knowledge and personal holiness is not the end goal. We are called to serve others and make disciples. We must train new Christians to contact, converse, invite others into community, share the gospel, help others convert, commit, and grow within the church and the neighborhood. By equipping them to move others towards Christ, we not only contribute to their own spiritual growth but also extend the reach of the church's influence. As they mature, the church as a whole is moved towards Christlikeness, and more lost individuals are brought into the church.

In conclusion, as church-movers, we have the incredible opportunity to make a real difference in society. By moving our church, we have the potential to change the world as we transform people's lives. Through intentional contact, meaningful conversations, introducing others to Christian community, sharing the gospel, calling to faith and repentance, encouraging commitment, nurturing growth, and empowering others to go and disciple, we can create a ripple effect that impacts our neighborhoods, cities, and nations. Let us embrace this calling and move our church somewhere new.