Conversations concerning the church seem to be increasing, especially when they are about her nature or essence. This growing discussion, centered on what the church is in herself and what constitutes her nature, evidences an awareness that how the church imagines herself determines most everything else about her – how she acts and reacts, spends her money, organizes her corporate life, interfaces with the wider culture, etc. So, whether the church defines herself as house, organic, emergent, or aqua does makes a difference. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘missional’
Reimagining Existence
Monday, February 7th, 2011Which Mission? Whose Mission?
Thursday, January 20th, 2011The world as we know it is rapidly changing. Current economic, demographic, technological, and political changes can cause our heads to spin. Yet, one change that may not be as obvious is that the American context is becoming less and less Christian, especially in the way Christianity has been traditionally understood and followed. People are asking such questions as “Why bother with church?” “What has the Christian faith to do with the real problems of life?” In some quarters, the questions are not as benign. These people aggressively ask, “Why are Christians so bigoted, narrow-minded, and anti-everything?” Studies show that while there is a growing interest in matters spiritual, Christianity and the church are increasingly viewed as irrelevant or passé, especially when it comes to our collective lives as Americans.
So, how are Christians to respond to this new reality? (more…)
Missional
Thursday, May 28th, 2009Alan Hirsch seeks to provide clarity in the midst of mounting confusion over the word missional. After stating that missional does not mean emerging or seeker-sensitive, and is more than social justice and church growth, he offers his understanding of missional.
A proper understanding of missional begins with recovering a missionary understanding of God. By his very nature God is a “sent one” who take the initiative to redeem his creation. This doctrine, known as missio Dei-the sending of God-is causing many to redefine their understanding of the church. Because we are the “sent” people of God, the church is the instrument of God’s mission in the world. As things stand, many people see it the other way around. They believe mission is an instrument of the church; a means by which the church is grown. Although we frequently say “the church has a mission,” according to missional theology a more correct statement would be “the mission has a church” (Leadership, Fall 2008, 22).
I completely agree. Missional has been co-opted and turned into the next emphasis, a new technique, or some slick program. Instead, missional has to do with theology – our understanding of God; who he is, what he does, and his ultimate purpose. A clear understanding and use of missional is essential, if the church is to be God’s church. The church needs to hear anew that God is a sending God, and thus, the church is a missional people. She exists for God’s mission.