thrive

The students of Parkway Christian church are in pretty deep with this one. The Thrive Movement will really show who is truly active in the ministry and who is simply in it for the ride. The movement consists of a massive 100 item list that serves as an open challenge to the youth of Parkway and requires the the entire church to really step it up if there is any hope of completing their goal. While a small quantity of the list could be completed by any one willing to fork over a few bucks, the majority is compiled of items that really require those who fulfill them to “thrive” to “allow God to use them to build his kingdom” (thethrivemovement.com).

The list varies in difficulty tremendously, some tasks are simple such as treating some firemen to donuts or reading a book. Other items on the list however are exceedingly difficult such as raising 1000 dollars for charity or taking a mission trip to Africa, keep in mind this list is to be completed by the children of the church. The movement is still young (about two weeks active) however is off to a tremendous start, three items where checked off the list within the first week. Still there are some doubts as to the amount of drive the kids will have in completing the list, the kids clearly have the ability to finish it, the potential is there, the only question is “will they?”.

Another thorn in the side of “The Thrive Movement” are the over critical thinkers that wonder why the pictures are necessary, and ask if it would discredit the validity of the good deeds. When asked how they thought about the idea several adults said that in certain circumstances they would be disappointed to hear that the kind and generous action they witnessed teenage kids complete was actually done not from the graciousness of their own heart but instead stems from an attempt to complete a church competition.  While I do agree to a certain extent that having to pose for a picture after having a stranger pay for my gas would rob the moment from feeling like a genuine random act of kindness. I know that deep down Drew Thurman (youth pastor of Parkway Christian Church and leader of the Thrive Movement) does not intend for this to happen, nor are the pictures required because he “doesn't trust his students” as some other critics may believe. Instead he requires the pictures in an attempt to make this movement be “bigger than the church”. He realizes that reading about kids completing tremendous goals  is only somewhat inspiring, however being able to witness the events or see the list dwindle in size as the kids tackle each goal, well that's a hole new ball game entirely. Drew has hopes that this will grow from a single church activity to a nation wide phenomena and honestly, this real life pay it forward campaign has the potential.

Visit Thethrivemovement.com and see for yourself