Colin Hansen, the Gospel Coalition's editor-in-chief and a historian of evangelicalism, teams up with Jared Wilson, a professor and pastor passionate about gospel-centered ministry. They dive into how historical movements have reshaped worship in evangelical churches. From the Spirit-Filled Revolution's influence in the 60s to the rise of the gospel-centered movement, they explore changing assumptions in church growth and the emergence of seeker-sensitive models. Their discussion reveals the ongoing tension between accessibility and maintaining a church's core identity.
The Spirit-Filled Movement transformed evangelical worship styles, emphasizing experiential faith and bringing expressive practices to various denominations.
The Gospel-Centered Movement countered earlier waves by refocusing churches on the core message of grace and encouraging deeper theological engagement.
Deep dives
Impact of the Spirit-Filled Movement
The Spirit-Filled Movement significantly influenced evangelical churches from the 1960s to the 1980s, originating from Pentecostalism and emphasizing modern-day healings, sign gifts, and contemporary worship styles. This wave expanded beyond its initial boundaries, impacting a variety of denominations, including mainline traditions. Key events such as the Azusa Street Revival and the Jesus Movement contributed to this shift by introducing more expressive worship and a personal, experiential relationship with Jesus Christ. The legacy of this movement is evident today, where even non-charismatic churches display characteristics such as contemporary music, hands-raised singing, and an emphasis on prayer, reshaping how many congregations express their faith.
Seeker-Sensitive Church Growth
The Seeker-Sensitive Movement emerged as a reaction to the shifting cultural landscape of the 1980s and 1990s, positioning churches to meet the needs and complaints of the unchurched. Influential leaders such as Rick Warren and Bill Hybels implemented strategies to make church more accessible by focusing on felt needs, which often meant adapting worship styles to appeal to newcomers. This movement reshaped the model of church growth, leveraging marketing techniques and emphasizing community and welcome, effectively shifting the way congregations measured success. Despite some backlash, the principles of seeker-sensitivity remain pervasive, as most churches today are oriented around the idea of actively reaching the unchurched in their communities.
The Gospel-Centered Wave
In the early 2000s, the Gospel-Centered Movement arose to counteract the perceived deficiencies of previous waves, emphasizing the centrality of the gospel in all aspects of church and personal life. Advocates argued that churches were in danger of focusing too much on pragmatic solutions rather than the core message of grace through Jesus’ sacrifice. This wave prioritized a return to theological depth and a rectification of church practices, encouraging congregations to see the gospel not only as a starting point for salvation but as essential for spiritual growth and daily living. Despite criticisms of being elitist or overly prescriptive, this movement left a lasting impact, influencing how churches view their identity, preaching, and outreach efforts.
Emergence of the Spiritual Formation Movement
A new trend in evangelicalism is the Spiritual Formation Movement, which emphasizes deep personal growth through habitual practices centered around Jesus. This movement seeks to address the perceived shallowness of previous waves by focusing on internal transformation rather than external strategies, advocating that true discipleship involves becoming like Jesus in character and actions. Factors such as the chaotic cultural landscape faced by younger generations are driving this shift toward ancient practices like prayer, solitude, and communal worship. The movement offers a response to the complexities of modern life by encouraging a structured faith that can withstand cultural pressures, suggesting a future where spiritual depth is prioritized over mere attendance or expansion.
Nothing alters a terrain like water. In severe cases, like flooding from hurricanes and storms, or mudslides in the mountains, or a tsunami overtaking everything in its path, water can leave a landscape totally transformed. But even in mild cases, wind and waves can leave behind noticeable changes to the scenery. Waves affect the landscape of the church also. There are subtle echoes of movements that have shaped churches across the country, regardless of denomination. You might not see them, but they’re there, shaping how we worship. Cultural currents carve out different streams. Movements rise and fall, personalities come and go, and ministry philosophies shift, leaving the terrain transformed. On this episode of Reconstructing Faith, join Trevin Wax as he asks the question: What waves have shaped the landscape of evangelicalism?
