A Culture-Changing Movement

My two oldest children were born in Minnesota. While I was living there, my fondness for state fairs exploded. I grew up just outside of Seattle, and every year, we would "Do the Puyallup," or, to outsiders, the Washington State Fair. As a teen, I preferred going to the fair over multiple days. I always revisit my favorite stands, ensuring I get my fill of fair food. Living as an adult in Minnesota was no different. Each year, I would go to the state fair multiple times, as a family, to grab a bite to eat, to meet friends, to take student groups, but mostly to get a bucket of chocolate chip cookies, a cold glass of milk, and, all the food imaginable—on a stick!

Eventually, we moved away from Minnesota. We tried the state fair in our new home, but it didn't compare. Years later, I had the opportunity to attend the Minnesota State Fair, and yes, it was everything I remembered! Heading into the main gates on Snelling Avenue, we walked right into a protest movement. The air was a familiar mixture of heat and humidity as we waited for the light to change before crossing the street. Local police managed the streams of fairgoers entering and exiting the main gates. Hundreds of people gathered in a loud yet peaceful protest. The interaction of police and protesters seemed tense but organized, each playing their role. The crowd's size, chanting, yelling, and passion captured my interest and heart. Something is captivating and powerful when a group with a shared identity and a common purpose joins in collective action.  I don't know if their protest was right or wrong or even if it affected change, but it did display the power of a movement.

Christianity began as a movement. From its earliest days, its members were known for radical religious views, counter-cultural social activism, and claiming to belong to a new king and kingdom. Christianity worked to improve the value and dignity of women, children, and marginalized individuals. According to historian Alvin Schmidt, the Christian movement has produced orphanages, hospitals, fair labor standards, the abolition of the slave trade in England, equality for women, and the civil rights movement in the United States.

From a spiritual perspective, the message of Christianity has been transforming people eternally. From a social perspective, Christianity has been in tension with and transforming cultures around the world. Christianity began under the radical leadership of Jesus. Jesus's leadership and teaching are accessible and applicable, independent of class, race, gender, or culture. Because Jesus' message and teaching are supra-cultural and accessible to all genders, ethnicities, and classes, the movement of Christianity collaterally transforms those around gatherings of Jesus's followers. The Christian movement, began by Jesus, has influenced art and architecture, liberty and law, volunteerism, and care for the vulnerable.

If you follow Jesus, do you sense you are part of a culture-changing movement?

How might Jesus desire to transform your community, family, company, or friend group? What is your role in Jesus gospel-transformation?

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From Chapter 3 of Revive: Leading Change – Igniting Movement by Jim Strecker

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