007: Rediscovering Movemental Christianity: The Forgotten Ways

In this series opener, Brian Johnson and Alan Hirsch trace the origins of mDNA from The Forgotten Ways and outline the six elements that consistently show up in authentic Jesus movements.

In this episode:

• Origin story: Why Alan asked for years, “How did they do this?”—from the early church to China’s underground church.

• DNA, not a model: The six elements are interdependent; touch one and you affect the whole.

• The six elements:

  1. Jesus is Lord (the defining center)

  2. Discipleship & Disciple-Making (Jesus’ life in us—and through us)

  3. Missional-Incarnational Impulse (go out, go deep)

  4. APEST Culture (Eph 4: apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, teacher)

  5. Organic Systems (decentralized, networked, multiplying)

  6. Liminality & Communitas (risk, ordeal, bonded-in-mission community)

• Why now: Christendom’s decline is an invitation to recover the forgotten ways—without waiting for persecution.

Try this week:

• Pick one “front door” (book, cohort, or the mDNA Strengths Test) and take one concrete step.

• Share your “I will” statement with a friend for prayer and follow-up.

🔗 Take the free mDNA Strengths Test to discover your part in the movement.

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