We need more of Jesus and less of everything else.

The Jesus Movement happened because it was all about Jesus. It would not have happened any other way. Jesus united Christians everywhere, and labels fell away. It didn’t matter your background, your denomination, your worship style, your age — if you loved Jesus, that was all that mattered. Often people’s hang-ups about Christianity are because of bad experiences with the church or with other Christians, but this movement circumvented that by simply being about Jesus, and most people are at least curious about Jesus.

My first two albums, released in 1969 and 1970, were recorded and published by a Catholic recording company. “Have You Seen Jesus My Lord?” was my second album and the song by that title is still a favorite in Catholic circles. That was a big step from thinking that the Catholic Church was the whore of Babylon, which is what I was taught growing up. That is just one small example of how Jesus made the difference.

You’re not going to get everyone to unify around being Baptist or around a Hillsong worship experience, but you can get everybody unified around Christ. This is especially important for Millennials when so many, even those who believe, are not going to church and are suspicious about institutional religion in general. And there is evidence that they are tiring of performance-oriented worship, choosing more stripped-down versions such as a worship leader and a guitar. Some are even going back to hymns and liturgical forms of worship. There is a similar dissatisfaction with institutional religion as there was prior to the Jesus Movement and a similar wave moving today.

This is why we are bringing the prophetic message forward for a new generation. It’s time. For the next 6 weeks, we are bringing out 14 characteristics of the Jesus Movement and holding video interviews each week with key influencers of that movement. These are people who are living out today what they witnessed formerly and are uncovering what these characteristics mean for the 21st century.

Tune in tomorrow when I discuss the centrality of Christ to the unity of all believers with Paul Clark. God knows we need unity in this dangerously divided time. Jesus is still moving. That is the message for all of us. Jesus is still moving.

*   *   *   *   *

These are indeed exciting, stretching, adventurous days. Every moment counts. “Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved.” Matthew 24:22

We are the voice of Christ for the Millennials. I have a deal with Chandler: he’ll watch my back on behalf of the younger generations, if I take the lead in this. Please pick up my challenge below. God knows I can’t afford this, but I also can’t afford not to do this.

To All Witnesses of or those

Influenced by the Jesus Movement

Join John Fischer and his $500 Match

— $0 with $500 to Go —

(Please include a note with your gift that it is for John’s challenge.)