"A quiet revolution is rocking the nation. The media are oblivious to it. Scholars are clueless about it...And Christian churches are only vaguely aware that something seems different, but they have little idea what its all about..." [George Barna Revolution pg. 9]

The world is changing.  Can you feel it?  Maybe you are changing too.

What is this Revolution all about?

Dissatisfaction is the synthesis of revolution.  In other words, people have to be unhappy with the ways things are in order from them to rise up and revolt.  Revolutionaries are a growing group of people who are revolting against life as we've known it, faith as it has been dictated to us, and church as it has been handed down to us.

As George Barna, author of Revolution , puts it:

Millions of devout followers of Jesus Christ are repudiating tepid systems and practicies of the Christian faith and introducing a wholesale shift in how faith is understood, integrated, and influencing the world.....In essence, our culture's inability to provide fulfillment has caused millions of individuals -- who are serious about understanding their existence and living right -- to live in a manner that never fails to raise eyebrows in a society that is notably shockproof and dispassionate.  These people have chosen to live in concert with core biblical principles.  That strategic choice makes them stand out as extremeists in a culture that keeps pushing the boundaries of extremeism.  These are the true Revolutionaries. [George Barna Revolution pg. 11, 12]

The movement is spontaniously rising from literally millions of people who want the kind of relationship to God that Jesus promised -- one that is full and free and deep.  These people are willing to walk away from anything that stands in their way: sin, wealth, comfort, status, tradition, institutions, and even religion as we've know it. 

But they aren't walking away alone.  Jesus, the Original Revolutionary, is leading them out and going with them.  When Jesus called his first followers, he taught them to be such radical men and women for God that it would make them heroes to the hurting, friends to the messed up, and a threat to the dogmatic religious establishement.  In the same way, Jesus is calling people now to radical living that refuses to compromise or settle for the status quo. 

Barna points out, "In America today, the easiest thing to get away with is going with the flow.  The ride is smoother and the resistance is minimized" [pg. 15].  But what if you don't like where the flow is going?  What if you're sick of compromising and being numbed into silence?  What if you're ready for a faith -- unlike so much that is called "faith" today -- that really makes a difference?  Then you might just be one of those Revolutionaries who "inately realize that it is just not enough to go with the flow" [pg. 14].   

Who's in control of it?

Good question.  According to George Barna's research, there are as many as 20 million Revolutionaries in the United States alone, and the number continues to grow [pg. 13].  He projects that in the next several years, one third of the US will be involved in this movement [pg. 49].  But these numbers are hard to come by, and information on this movement is difficult to find.  Why?  Because the Revolution is springing up all over the place on its own without the help or control of large organizations, powerful and influential leadership, and any kind of authority structures.  In fact, it is an underground movement without much organization beyond the local, grassroots level.  People like George Barna have stumbled on to it and discovered a God-movement that is for now largely unnoticed by the mainstream culture.

What does all this mean?  If no person, organization, or institution is starting or controlling this movement, there is really only one other possible origin:  It is something God is doing.  In fact, one of the calling cards of Revolutionaries is that they seek the leadership and help of Jesus Christ alone.  Again, Barna describes Revolutionaries this way:

They refuse to follow people in ministry leadership positions who cast a personal vision rather than God's, who seek popularity rather than proclamation of truth in their public statements, or who are more concerned about their own legacy than that of Jesus Christ. [pg. 14]

Unless God is in control of it, it is not Jesus' Revolution.  And unless Jesus is in control of you, it's likely you are not a true Revolutionary.  But, on the other hand, if it is your passion to walk a bold and brave joureny with God -- even if you are just beginning that journey -- welcome to the Revolution.

How can you tell if you're a part of it?

Nobody signs up for the Revolution like you would the Boy Scouts.  Nor does another person "sell" you on becoming a Revolutionary.  Being a Revolutionary is like being in love.  You simply are or you aren't.  Either you feel in the depth of your being that God has called you to this type of life, or you don't.

That doesn't mean that people don't grow into being a Revolutionary.  You won't find a single perfect follower of Jesus anywhere on the planet, so don't bother trying to look.  And we're not saying that Revolutionaries don't struggle to be radical and live a pure life.  But a true Revolutionary cannot deny the burning desire to live out of the bounds of conventional existence.

George Barna lists The Seven Passions of Revolutionaries [pgs. 22-25].  See if these passions resonate with you:

1. Intimate Worship: Do you want to worship God everyday both in private and with other believers? This does not require a "worship service"; the only thing that is required is a commitment to feel awed by God's magnificence, grateful for His love and authority, aware of His control and power, dedicated to following Him, and joy at the miracle of His connection with us.
   
   
2. Faith-based Conversations: Do you feel compelled to share with others what you've found in God?  Revolutionaries broadcast hope and love through relevant and creative ways, they seek to have low-key/high-impact conversations about things that really matter, they pray deeply for those they are in conversation with, and they seek to see God's power working in their lives.
   
   
3. Intentional Spiritual Growth: Do you endeavor to learn more about the Christian faith and employ the principles of Jesus' teaching?  Believers exhibit a remarkable attitude towards life and people and acknowledge the presence of the supernatural in their everyday adventures.  They place their faith at the center of their lives and derive their sense of meaning, purpose, and direction from their connection to God and His commands.
   
   
4. Servanthood: Do you live by the notion that serving other people is the best means of demonstrating the example Jesus has set for you?  Servanthood shows the transformation that your faith has wrought within you.  Like Christ, you live to serve rather than to be served.
   
   
5. Resource Investment: Do you feel that you truly own nothing in this life, so it is best to wisely invest the resources you've been given to manage of the One who is the true owner of all things?  True faith community is defined by the sacrificial sharing of everything we have.  Revolutionaries share "everything" with those in need -- money, food, clothing, housing, relationships, influence, skills, time -- for the benefit of all believers and the world.
   
   
6. Spiritual Friendships: Do you believe life and faith community is all about relationships?  Friends of Jesus become friends with each other and revel in their mutual admiration of Christ in their frequent get togethers.  These friendships provide not only encouragement but also loving accountability for spiritual integrity.
   
   
7. Family Faith: Do you believe that families should teach the ways of God in their homes every day?  Parents should model Spirit-led lifestyles for their children, and families should make their homes a sancturary for God.  In a very real sense, the home can be the Church, supplimented by larger gatherings, but never replaced.

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Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.