Third stream Christian groups tend to have short lives.
Two things typically happen to them. Either they are persecuted to the point of extinction. Or, they gradually become second stream movements. The latter trend can be seen in the history of the Baptist churches, the Quakers and, in the United States, the 19th century "restoration" movements such as the Church of Christ.
The extent to which the house church/new church movements of the 1970s and 80s have become second stream movements is an interesting one.
Two things typically happen to them. Either they are persecuted to the point of extinction. Or, they gradually become second stream movements. The latter trend can be seen in the history of the Baptist churches, the Quakers and, in the United States, the 19th century "restoration" movements such as the Church of Christ.
The extent to which the house church/new church movements of the 1970s and 80s have become second stream movements is an interesting one.
