What Makes the ‘Beyond the Four Walls’ Movement a Genuine Reformation?
“This movement utilizes complex systems and algorithms for sending Believers to ‘occupy’ key places of influence in order to transform culture.”
In my travels and talks with Pastors and Believers in the world today, one thing is definitely sure – something has changed. The landscape of the church has changed. The world has changed – and God is doing something special at this time in history. Some have even said that we are right in the middle of one of the greatest church reformations since Martin Luther, maybe even since the days of the book of Acts. The reality is, if we are to reach the world and fulfill this Great Commission (Matthew 28) given to us by Jesus, we must go beyond the four walls. I think we have heard this message before. But what makes this era so unique, is that God is raising up various movements for the training and equipping of the church, to BE the church, and transform nations. After all, the Great Commission looks like societal transformation. The methodology is simple. You have a calling and purpose. Your calling and your influence must be developed. And then you must be “sent” from the local church, in an organized way, and bring Kingdom influence. We as Believers are no longer limited to the four walls of a building, yet we gather there, and do not forsake this. The advancement of the Kingdom of God is not limited to what we do in a building, but rather what we do everywhere we place our feet (or invest our time energy and life).
A few weeks ago the History Makers Society, a movement of thousands globally, gathered in Toronto for our first annual Beyond the Four Walls Conference. What especially made this conference unique were the testimonials of ordinary people doing extraordinary ministry beyond the four walls. Many of which began to get amazing results after only a three and half day intensive training. Could it be possible? Well, the people spoke for themselves and the results were undeniable. Now close to 300,000 people have been reached through this movement and its message in the last two years. Why? Because “the revival is out there.” And the more we the church grasp this, the more we will see the results in ministry we have longed for.
The other unique feature that was opened up at this conference was “the message.” Every movement has a message and a methodology for translating and spreading that message. To help further underscore the ‘beyond the four walls’ message, I have listed several key principles below for brief reading – several pillars that uphold this journey of the church going beyond the four walls.
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While most current and recent “moves of God” take place within a building, or stadium, this move of God takes place outside of the four walls – literally wherever we the church invest ourselves. The “revival is out there.”
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This movement doesn’t abandon the local church or diminish it in any way. Rather, it enhances the local congregation and grows and expands it.
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This movement doesn’t place high emphasis on how many people you can get in a building, but rather how much “kingdom” you can bring to society.
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This movement does not limit the “glory” of God to supernatural experience only, but also establishes God’s glory in society through social works, programs and solving societal problems. (Psalm 82)
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This movement utilizes complex systems and algorithms for sending Believers to “occupy” key places of influence in order to transform culture.
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This movement sees the fulfillment of the Great Commission as more than evangelism, and actually as the systemic influence of Kingdom values and principles in nations.
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This movement sees the “work of the ministry” as more than what happens from the pulpit to the people. Rather it is what takes place through the people to the world. In this way the pastor can “pastor” society through his or her church members.
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This movement believes every person has a calling or “promised land” to conquer and establish influence in, and from. This place of calling and purpose is their own ministry irrespective of what local church they attend or who their pastor is.
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This movement believes in the balance of BOTH prayer and action – both revival and societal transformation.
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This movement believes that the “gospel of the Kingdom” must be preached – not just the gospel of salvation.
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This movement believes that revival is just the beginning, or the wake up call, while the dream of God is the transformation of nations with generational impact.
This movement believes that models of training and equipping must be added to the local church concept if we are to become a relevant force of cultural influence and cultural transformation in society.
For more information on how you can join the movement or receive this unique training and equipping experience visit historymakersacademy.com
Derek is an apostolic leader, requested speaker, trainer, author, and execution strategist. He loves to advise Pastors and Leaders on Ministry and Church Growth.
Derek is the president of the History Makers Academy and founder of the History Makers Society. Both of which are designed to train, equip and send out individuals to influence all spheres of society.
Remain Blessed,
Derek Schneider
Derek Schneider
