|
"Swarming is a collective behavior exhibited by entities, particularly animals, of similar size which aggregate together, perhaps milling about the same spot or moving en masse or migrating in some direction." (Bouffanais)
Missiologists like Justin Long have likened Kingdom activity - whether mobilization or church growth to the way animals follow a swarming effect. By many independent agents operating together, something beautiful yet purposeful is accomplished as many moving parts become bigger than the sum of their parts.
This past Spring 2016 Perspectives season there were over 300 volunteers amongst 23 locations. Over 650 students went through the program during this time. These students experienced God in a new way - alongside of one another even-though dispersed geographically. They were impacted by the teams of people who volunteered their time and talent.
Without the swarms of volunteers who move together yet largely independent, Perspectives would not have the influence in peoples lives. Perspectives volunteers have experienced an awakening to the character and purposes of God that they want to extend that blessing to others.
Admittedly with Perspectives, the analogy eventually breaks down as a hallmark of swarms is the absence of a defined leader. As serving under King Jesus we all have a leader in him - then Perspectives does have a set of decision makers who chart a defind path.
Alas, we are thankful for the swarms of volunteers who enable mobilization in the Southeast through Perspectives.
|
