"There was once a card saying 'Most Christians would rather die than think', but thoughtless repetition of Christian ethics and doctrines doesn't make you a Christian," says Joe Riffe, member of staff of the young
24-7 Prayer movement started by Pete Greig five years ago. In that short time, the movement, which started with only a single prayer room, has become a many-faceted movement for mission and social justice, with related movements in 58 nations. "Inside and outside this movement, a new generation of leaders is currently taking shape," writes Riffe. "They are seeking humble, creative and relational expressions of Christian ministry. That's were
24-7transit comes in, teaching these people how to live well and hence lead well. We accompany them on the two most exciting journeys: the inward journey, which leads to spiritual transformation, and the outward journey, which leads to social transformation."
Young leaders in the monastery
Move in to a 'boiler room' in Britain or the USA and spend 8 months in a monastic community, living a life of prayer, study and action? 24-7 is convinced that the time has come for such a discipleship training programme. They are offering the training starting in September 2005, focussing on building a "Biblical world view". "Our world view forms the way in which we see society. However, a world view is not simply the filter through which we see the world, but our philosophy of life, including the answer to the question 'Why am I alive?' Our world view also has a strong influence on how we see Christianity. When Mark 12 tells us to love the Lord with our whole mind, we need to know what we believe, and understand the world which God made. We aim to build three things: authentic spirituality - truth in our relationship with Jesus ("Love the Lord with all your heart", Luke 10:27); relational spirituality - lovingness to others ("Love your neighbour as yourself", Luke 10:27) and missionary spirituality - take the Gospel to the world ("Make disciples of all nations", Matthew 28:19)" says Riffe. "As Jon Stuart Mill said, one person with a belief is equal to a force of 99 who only have interest."
Source: 24-7prayer.com
