Religious and cultural movements follow a consistent trajectory: human, movement, machine, monument, and memory. Each phase has its role, but the vitality of the human and movement stages is where we encounter the Spirit most dynamically. Movements are unpredictable and alive, defying control or containment. The movement stage is always very exciting, creative, and also risky because God’s movement in history is larger than any denomination, any culture, or any tradition’s ability to verbalize it. Yet, we often fear the chaos and seek structure, leading to the machine stage. While necessary, institutions lose the spontaneity of the Spirit and risk becoming monuments—stagnant and self-preserving. When monuments dominate, we hold onto memories rather than engaging life fully. Our challenge is clear: honor the necessity of structure without losing the risk, vitality, and energy that make faith transformative. Only then do we truly live as God intends.
May we embrace the vitality and risk of the Spirit’s movement,
trusting its boundless presence beyond our control.
(inspired by Richard Rohr, The Wisdom Pattern)