Transformation Cycle - Muse

[Wayne Hackman]

Thought I would quickly write about some of the challenges that arose this week during my personal study block at moorlands.

One of our discussions came up with was an interesting cycle which could help us understand how church growth and community change function together. Let me expand on this early thinking.

The perpetual Cycle is called - The Transformation Cycle and you will find 4 stages within the cycle that all eventually feed each other and encourages a perpetual growing cycle.



Church - Community - Change - Trust


CHURCH - This is where the cycle starts and when referring to church I mean the church in a global sence. A unified group of believers. When the church unifies in seeking God in prayer then the cycle starts. This unification often comes out of desperation due to circumstances that particular community is suffering.

COMMUNITY - Unified prayer starts the break down of strong holds in the community. People and principles who are preventing that community from functioning in a healthy way and growing both spiritually and physically.
CHANGE - Once the strong holds start to fall then the community changes, improves and grows. People start to realize the changing force is a Spiritual one.

TRUST - The members of the community, including governmental, educational and other social services start the trust the church as a positive changing force. This trust starts to see resources being provided specifically toward the changing force to help continue the change. It is also this trust that draws people toward God and encourages new disciples.

Its interesting that if this model is correct Church growth will come when people unify and sole seek God. God honors this unification and starts to make radical changes.

I'm working on how I might apply this model to what I'm currently doing. But needless to say that being a children minister I've always felt at the bottom of the ladder in the decision making process. But I'm starting to believe that if I am ever going to see change I need to be a promoter of unity and prayer. God will solve the rest.

I know much of this is old thinking with a new spin but I find it helpful to understand visually how a community can change with the Power of God and what are part of this process should be.