Being Missional

This is a term that is gaining momentum in the church world. I have gone to pastor's conferences where this is discussed at length (see youtube and youtube), read books about this (Stetzer) and I have taken a Doctor of Ministry class on this subject. But what does this mean? How can we apply it to our lives?

First, being missional means to understand what Scripture says about our mission here on earth. We read about it in Matt 28, Acts 1:8 and see it in the lives of the Apostles. We are to reach the lost for Christ's sake and preach not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord (II Cor 4:5). Yet we are to do so in a way that they understand. Paul tells us in I Cor 9 that he loses his rights and becomes all things to all people so that some may be saved. He doesn't start with his cultural identity but that of his audience (see Acts 17).

We see that Jesus did this very thing for us. He came to earth, leaving the perfection of Heaven and communion with His Father and the Holy Spirit, to live among those who would reject Him, spit on Him, curse Him, stone Him, stab Him, mock Him and kill Him. He came and spoke their language, wore their cloths, ate their food and celebrated their holidays. He was with them.

So we too must be with the lost. Speak so we can be understood and our worship must be intelligible. This was the very fight of the reformation! To make the Gospel of Jesus Christ understandable to the masses. Hence to be missional.

As we see our neighbors, friends and family we must show them the love of Christ. We must tell them of the love of Christ and we must do it so they can understand it. This is being missional. Giving up our rights and likes and becoming servants to all so some might be saved.

This is my heart and the heart of our church. It is not easy and at times can be very challenging but as they say in Mexico, vale la pena or it's worth it as eyes are opened and folks see the church as a place that cares and is relevant to their lives. Coming into their lives, teaching truth and contending for the faith in way that make sense.