Tuesday, November 17, 2009

A New Jesus People Movement


Jesus became real to me in 1970, during the youth revival known as the "Jesus Movement." Those were exciting and heady days. Sometimes it seemed like you could just walk down the hall at many high schools and just breathe on people and they would get saved.

Ocean baptisms, giant rallies, concerts from the early days of contemporary Christian music (before the "suits" from the record companies took it over) - I saw it all. Most of the Christian leaders in American churches who are now in their 50's and even 60's got their spiritual start in the Jesus Movement of the 1970's.

This week I ran across this article by Bill Faris at JUST MY TYPE on The Genius of the Jesus People Movement
The genius of the Jesus People movement of the late 1960's and 70's was not the theological sophistication of it's adherents. It wasn't money, or programming, or a centrally-coordinated effort to impact youth culture launched by existing Christian leaders or sociological experts. I believe the genius of the Jesus People movement was the empowerment of everyday people to take the ministry of Jesus to everyday places - from school campuses to coffeehouses. From private homes to rock concerts. From streetcorners to city parks. "Jesus Freaks" were always looking for opportunities to take the gospel to the places and environments where the people of their generation lived their daily lives. The whole world was their mission field and "church" could happen anywhere, anytime.

As a veteran of that experience, I believe we who follow Christ now would do well to re-discover this way of life. It's not about trying to go back to the "old days". It's not about nostalgia or recreating a bygone era or somehow updating its symbols. But I am convinced that there is an inhertiance given by the Holy Spirit to the Church that remains available to us now -- especially to those of us who know better than to keep ministry within the walls of church buildings.
Perhaps the key to a genesis of a new "Jesus Movement" for another generation is for believers to just try taking the Gospel and the power of the Spirit outside our church walls. It happened once before, 40 years ago.

Jesus is still the same Jesus. So, why can't it happen again?

2 comments:

  1. I often long for the simplicity of the "Jesus Movement" days too. I agree with all you say, but also believe that happened because of a Supernatural outpouring of the Holy Spirit which drew many to Christ and gave boldness to witness. Jesus said "Anything you ask the Father in My Name, I will do." I'm believing Him. I'm praying for people who express a need to me. I'm just going to walk in faith and leave the outcome to God. God bless your ministry!

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  2. I am very encouraged by this post, though it looks like it's been a while since it was posted. Just want to say, the success in following Jesus is to allow Christ to live through us--"In Him we live and move and have our being." The success is never ours, the victory is all His! Through us JESUS still has MOVEMENT--and in Him we have ours. This is radical Christianity.--the brother in Christ (H.G.)

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