A Crack at Simplifying "Missional"

So the term is here to stay and everybody is laying claim on what it means to be "missional." Trying to distinguish it's meaning proves a daunting task.

Some use the term to describe a new way of doing ministry, as opposed to more traditional congregations, which would be branded as "attractional," due to the amount of effort, promotion, expectation around programs at or around church property. Often these folks tend to see building wells in Africa for clean water as good (which it is), but telling people to repent from sin as bad (which it is not). This critical over-reaction poses missional against attractional in a way that I think is weak, unbiblical, and unfaithful to the gospel.

Others use the term to describe a new way of doing church, so that whatever is traditionally done during worship gatherings is replaced with new ways of doing things. For example, if growing up you heard preaching and sat in pews, this crowd of missional now sits on couches and engages in dialogue. This approach wrongly places emphasis on methods, which are not weighty while neglecting principles that are. For example, Scripture doesn't specify what songs, in what style, with what instruments are used in the church. To be adamant that a contemporary style is more faithful is just as ridiculous as saying that guitars are Satanic.

While there may be a new word to describe what should be happening, it often only amounts to new ways of being disobedient to Scripture in an attempt to being novel and innovative.

At Missio, we're not interested in being innovative for novelty's sake. We believe that we are to strive to remain faithful to the ancient and historic faith (Jude 3). We believe that craftiness and innovation are actually signs of immaturity (Eph. 4:14) and we long for obedience to Jesus commission (Matt. 28). This means that we are not hip or cool, but are a people sent out to proclaim the ugly truth that humanity is broken, but the good news that Jesus is Savior, Redeemer, and Lord and teach them how that applies to the places they live everyday life, whether we go across the seas or across the street.

Simply put, we understand "missional" to mean that we are obedient to preaching, as clearly as possible, the gospel in whatever circumstance or context we find ourselves. The Gospel deals with our rebellion in substituting ourselves for God and in love, God's substituting Himself for us, dying for our sins, being buried, and being raised again in victory over sin, death, hell, brokenness, Satans, demons, weaknesses and failures, struggles and heartaches, on and on.

This gives the church her mission, a reason why our congregation takes on the name, Missio Dei. We are simply participating with God in what He does. "And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?" (Rom. 10:14-15).

Organic Community

Church planting for Missio Dei is not the development of a Sunday morning worship activity. Rather, it is the development of a community that is shaped by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As such, we've been doing a considerable amount of praying and reading on the development of community.

In a very short time and in many ways, I've witnessed tremendous failure and moderate victory as God uses me to develop a gospel-centered community. But I am always looking for refinement and growth. This lead me to read the book Organic Community by Joseph Myers.

Overall, some very helpful questions were asked, but as is often the case in the "Emergent Village," when conclusions are made, they are often over-reactionary in nature. This treatment is no exception.

Myers has an either/or attitude that comes across as arrogant and downright untrue. He presents several false dichotomies in an attempt to welcome a new way of thinking.

While there were several helpful tools that I was able to pull from the book, I'd like to see a more synthesized approach to community. One that doesn't guarantee success if you follow certain prescribed methods, nor look at suspiciously every method prescribed as if it were evil and oppressive.