Archive for the ‘Missional’ Category
Posted on July 18, 2008 - by ray
The Gap
I’m preparing to teach a class on Spiritual Formation in September. I’ll be using the Frost & Hirsch book The Shaping of Things to Come as the primary text. In review of the book I came across something I had forgotten about that I think is worth posting. The authors refer to Robert Bank’s book Redeeming the Routines and his pointing out the gap between belief and everyday life. According to Bank this gap shows up in ten worrying ways:
- Few of us apply or know how to apply our belief to our work, or lack of work.
- We only make minimal connections between our faith and our spare time activities.
- We have little sense of a Christian approach to regular activities like domestic chores.
- Our everyday attitudes are partly shaped by the dominant values of our society.
- Many of our spiritual difficulties stem from the daily pressure we experience.
- Our everyday concerns receive little attention in the church.
- Only occasionally do professional theologians address routine activities.
- When addressed, everyday issues tend to be approached too theoretically.
- Only a minority of Christians read religious books or attend theological courses.
- Most churchgoers reject the idea of a gap between their beliefs and their ways of life.
Of course, the last is the most telling. Many of us fail to see the disconnect between what we read in scripture and believe about our life in Christ and what we actually do. I have to admit, I’m guilty of this as well, even living cross-culturally, where it’s my job to avoid this type of gap in my daily life.
I’m convinced now more than ever that we do a horrible disservice to both new and old Christians in our discipleship of them if we don’t teach and example what it means to live the incarnational life…what it means to love your neighbor, what it means to bless those who persecute you, and what it means to turn the other cheek. We do a fine job of teaching truth and sound theological concepts but we fall short in giving them the full council of the Word.
So, this is where the rubber meets the road - I need to come up with a way to teach and example this to 18 year olds this September in a way that will hopefully impact them to live out their faith, not just believe in it.
Posted on July 14, 2008 - by ray
Brad Brisco and Missional
Another post about the missional church. This time it’s Brad Brisco over at Missional Church Network. His recent post quotes Albert Curry Winn from A Sense of Mission: Guidance From the Gospel of John. Head to Brad’s site to read the entire quote. Here’s my favorite part:
We can preach the word and celebrate the sacraments in all solemnity, propriety, and purity, but if we are doing nothing to speak the words of God and to do the works of God in the world, if we have no concern for liberation, justice, compassion, and peace, can we claim the name of church? I think not.
Thanks for the post Brad.
Posted on July 14, 2008 - by ray
Joe Thorn and Missional
Joe Thorn has written a great article about the missional church. It’s well worth your read. Linky.
Posted on July 8, 2008 - by ray
Hirsch and Missional
Back on June 23 Alan Hirsch, author of The Forgotten Ways, wrote a post about the term missional facing the same fate as the term emergent. In that he meant that missional is being over used, misused, and less understood. It seems to be one of the big buzz word in Christian circles. Unfortunately, many have used the word thinking it to be the next rallying cry to reaching the younger, post-modern generation. I won’t repeat what Alan states in his post, he does a much better job than I ever could…I would encourage you to take a few minutes and read it for yourself.
I noticed this trend (of the mis-use of ‘missional’) a few months ago. I got to the point where I didn’t like using the word, because everyone had assumptions about what it meant, and in many cases those assumptions were and are wrong. I found myself using the word ‘incarnational’ to describe my life and how I chose to live it out daily. I’ve told others that I’m simply trying to be Jesus in my culture…i.e. living a incarnational life. Hirsch points out that he prefers the term ‘missional-incarnational’. It’s a bit of a mouthful, but it does a good job of explaining both the sentness (missional) and the practice (incarnational) our lives should be shaped by.
Posted on April 15, 2008 - by ray
America, Part 2
The purpose of my trip to the States was to speak at a conference. The purpose of the conference was to interact with and get to know churches that might have a desire to get involved with work here in Western Europe. During the conferences we had little break-out sessions where we were able to really jump into conversations with the representatives from the churches that attended. I really enjoyed getting to know these people, their heart, and their interest in things happening overseas.
But there where two things that struck me about my conversations. One, there’s a big difference between “doing missions” or being “missions minded” AND being missionAL or being ON mission with God. The first two terms seem to indicate that missions is simply a ministry of the church, like the mens ministry or the childrens ministry. I heard these two terms from quite a number of those attending the conferences. The second two terms indicate (or should indicate) the inherent nature of you and your church. Being on mission with God should be at the center, the core, of who you are to those around you, and how your church is seen by others. Unfortunately I didn’t hear these terms used very often.
Now some might say that it’s simply a matter of training or re-training. But I think it goes deeper than that. We’ve been conditioned to see church in a consumeristic way. We, being the consumer, come to shop on Sunday’s (or for really big churches most days of the week) and get our fill. In many cases these things have the purpose of making us feel better about ourselves. Now, no one would say that’s the purpose, but let’s be honest. When a guy comes home from a men’s ministry camping weekend, or the wife comes home from a weekend women’s conference how do they report their experience? And mission trips are no different…another ministry opportunity to get people “plugged in”.
However, the missio dei (the mission of God) is about seeing His kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven. It’s inherent in who He is. He doesn’t have a mission, He is the mission. And His mission should be carried out not only in the church, but in the lives of the individuals that make up the church…that’s you and me. Don’t make missions another ministry, another short term trip, another dollar in the offering plate. Make it who you are, someone who is on mission with God, not just someone that is missions minded.
The other big thing I noticed is that there were several churches that were waiting to get involved because they felt as though they didn’t have the resources. I’m sympathetic to smaller churches with small budgets not feeling as though they can make a “big” impact on things happening overseas. My recommendation…don’t wait until you have the resources. You never will. Partner with other churches, start small, start with a single purpose in a single place and let God grow it. But better still, start in your own community. Being on mission with God doesn’t necessarily mean that your involvement with God’s mission has to be done over here. Bring about God’s kingdom in your community. Partner with other churches that share your vision and passion for seeing God move in your community and in your world. And go from there…
If any of this resonates with you I’d love to talk more with you about it. Shoot me an email. This is something I’m passionate about and I would love to see your community transformed through your obedience to be on mission with God.
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