From Movement to monument

From Movement to Monument

Guarding the Church from Institutional Drift

God has initiated world-changing movements through His people at every point in history. However, movements that were once Spirit-filled and spreading can, over time, become managed, comfortable, and institutionalised. In the long arc of history, movements may end up as monuments.

I have often talked about movement and monument. In discerning and guarding against institutionalisation I appreciate how Vance Havner offers a progression of four stages:

Man → Movement → Machine → Monument

These four stages model the shift from Kingdom-building to comfort and control.

God calls the Church not to monuments of stone but to participation in the living mission of Jesus. Therefore, to avoid institutional drift, churches must consistently recalibrate with Scripture and the Spirit.

1. Man: God Initiates Through Called Leaders

Movements nearly universally start with leaders. Although people often talk of “people movements,” one can nearly always find an individual or small group at its beginning. God works through people who say, “Here I am” to His call.

Abraham left family and home to trust God for a promised son (Genesis 12:1). Moses resisted the might of the Egyptian empire. Jesus Christ founded the Kingdom by calling us to follow Him (Matthew 4:19).

The apostle Paul is a key example. Whilst Peter went primarily to the Jews, Paul went primarily to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7–8).

Paul, as an initiator and apostle had a consuming focus to bring the Gospel to those beyond the historic bounds of the Jewish community. His role in this movement continued in different forms with the sole goal of advancing the Kingdom and conforming to the character and Word of the King. Sometimes it was in the very starting of new communities, but also long-term, through continued influence via the epistles.

Importantly, Paul did not go solo. He travelled with teams, planted communities, and empowered local leaders. The multiplying movement emerged over time as others joined the vision.

Healthy leadership always points beyond self to Jesus. However, the focus on Jesus is often expressed through the initial leader or discipler. Paul summarised his exhortation this way:

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIVUK)

2. Movement: Growth as Mission Expands

God uses leaders to start movements. The result is not a fanbase around a single personality but multiplying community. Movements form when participants engage rather than spectate.

Paul’s mission journeys illustrate dynamic movement. Groups of new believers formed loving communities that gathered in homes, lived generously, worshipped joyfully, and boldly declared the Gospel in their cities (Acts 2:42–47; Acts 19:10).

Movements are characterised by:

• Mission over maintenance

• People empowered over programmes managed

• Flexibility and responsiveness over rigidity

• Convictions held firmly while methods adapt freely

Paul modelled this adaptability:

“I have become all things to all people so that by every possible means I might save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22–23 (NIVUK)

Movements move by letting the Spirit lead rather than simply replicating past methods. Movements remain movements by retaining the apostolic impulse of the Church as primary.

Paul intentionally reinserted himself into the life of churches he planted through letters, sending co-workers, confronting sin, and correcting drift. He urged Timothy to:

“Guard the good deposit.” 2 Timothy 1:14 (NIVUK)

…and Titus to

“Straighten out what was left unfinished.” Titus 1:5 (NIVUK)

The shift away from movement often begins when we functionally think the job is done.

Importantly, this is where there is a temptation to shift to machine but this is where the Word already gives us the mechanisms in movement to ensure conformation to good doctrine, practice and mission.

We see this with the accountability to the sending authority of the Church in Antioch (Acts 13:1–3) and the doctrinal and relational accountability seen in the ‘Council of Jerusalem’ (Acts 15)

3. Machine: When Structure Overtakes the Spirit

Structure is not the problem. In growing communities, administration must increase. Paul gave guidance for orderly worship (1 Corinthians 14:40 NIVUK), established elders (Titus 1:5–9 NIVUK), and encouraged stewardship and accountability.

Structure, at its best, supports life.

Machines happen when:

• Methods become untouchable

• Control replaces Spirit-led initiative

• People become consumers rather than contributors

• Efficiency outranks discipleship

  
  

A warning comes from the later state of the Church in Ephesus. Jesus praised their labour and doctrinal clarity, but He chastised them for turning from their first love (Revelation 2:1–5 NIVUK). The machine was running, but the Spirit was still.

Machines can keep going long after the mission has dissipated.

4. Monument: When Memory Becomes the Mission

If a machine is left to run without spiritual life, it eventually calcifies into a monument: a tribute to what was.

Monuments in Scripture have a function. Joshua set up stones of remembrance to help future generations recall God’s faithfulness (Joshua 4:1–7). History matters.

However, Jesus condemned those who revered the prophets’ tombs while ignoring God’s living voice (Matthew 23:29–32). When the institution is more sacred than the mission, the movement has already fossilised.

Monument churches may still have presence and property, but little power and no reflection of God’s purposes.

5. Why the Drift Happens

Fear of change, comfort with stability, and control over spontaneity combine to create a culture in which drift can happen. People want predictability, but the Spirit often calls us to risk.

Jesus compared the Spirit’s movement to wind: wild, uncontrollable, and unpredictable (John 3:8).

Faith demands flexibility.

6. Resisting Institutional Drift

To avoid drift, the Church must continually recommit to the ongoing call of Jesus to follow Him (Matthew 4:19). Notice that is a verb. Discipleship is a matter of motion.

Movement indicators include:

• Multiplying disciples

• Releasing people into mission

• Remaining open to change for the sake of the unreached

• Protecting biblical convictions over the voice of the world

  
  

Paul’s life displays that being a movement requires freedom within guardrails. Courage to move forward and commitment to stay true.

Conclusion

Give thanks to God for the founding leaders He has used. Honour the organisational systems that enable mission. Celebrate the stories of God’s past faithfulness.

However, resist the temptation to let memory overtake movement.

The risen Christ did not call His Church to build museums but to proclaim His Kingdom to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The world does not need more monuments. It needs a movement of Spirit-filled disciples, rooted in Scripture, and bold in mission.

May we stay devoted.

May we stay active.

May we stay moving until Jesus returns.