I have the most amazing privilege of being able to hang out with world-class leaders, thinkers, innovators, and practictioners. It’s rather contagious and somewhat healthily-toxic, if that makes any sense.
It “rubs” off on you I suppose.
Many of my colleagues are entrepreneurs, men and women who see things that few see and that have been given incredible vision and insight into what God is doing and what God wants them to do.
I’ve heard the term movements a lot, either about “starting one” or “creating one” or what have you. Typically I ask myself (or them) whether a “movement” is a goal or if it’s an outcome. I think it’s fairly split down the middle.
I’ve written already about how Passion Conferences has created a movement but there’s always more room to grow and learn about the intricacies of how one “works.”
A big HT to DJ Chuang (Thanks!) who wrote a great outlining post about what a “movement” might be defined as.
I’ve resourced his findings here as well:
Ken Cochrum Says:
“A movement is a group of people who consciously, and at their own cost, connect to change the status quo.”
Jay Lorenzen Says:
“A collective action that leads to political, social or cultural change.”
Movement Defined Says:
“An ongoing, informal group action that is inspired by a passionately shared idea and directed toward positive change.”
SocialMediaToday.com Says [How to start a movement in 7 easy steps]:
- Know Your Movement
- Get Educated
- Make it popular
- Rally the troops
- Set up communication
- Get Noticed
- Take it easy
eHow.com Says [How to Start a Grassroots Movement]:
- Define your movement.
- Get body.
- Find ways of keeping in touch.
- Delegate.
- When you have achieved critical mass, make your presence known.
Social Edge’s Your Micromovement Says:
- Publish a manifesto.
- Make it easy for your followers to connect with you.
- Make it easy for your followers to connect with one another.
- Realize that money is not the point of a movement.
- Track your progress.
What Do You Think?
I think these definitions are helpful, to say the least. Have you ever desired to start a movement (or be a part of one)? What’s it going to take? What’s stopping you?
I’m not sure I’m interested in “starting” one but I want to be a part of one if it’s changing people’s lives. Perhaps whether or not it’s a “movement” matters little in terms of the latter concern…
[Image from CGuille]
Ashley Evans says
RE: Movements – I'm still figuring this out too but here is something that is shaping my views:
In Bob Roberts' book "The Multiplying Church", one of the fascinating yet counter intuitive thoughts he puts forth is that movements – at least as related to starting new churches – almost never succeed here in North America because our focus is on the movement itself. In contrast, the East is seeing huge church planting movements. It's a result of genuine believers leading others to Jesus, discipling them and then they go do the same. The movement happens as a result of the goal, the goal of changed lives. Starting new churches is a natural by product of seeing new believers come to Christ and desire to worship and be discipled. So I guess in this case the movement is an outcome of the goal.
Just my .02
Ash
human3rror says
i'm not sure if I've ever seen someone do the '2 cents' with a .02… that's very cool.
😉
i think i like this explanation… thanks!
Jim says
i went to a conservative evangelical retreat and talked in-person to over 100 individuals about why they must have an online presence in the community.We gave out free stuff and created some energy. God used me even when I was skeptical at first…