Into the World With Jesus

Apparently the word missional, like many words has more than one definition -- indeed, like many words there are as many definitions as there are definers. Among Disciples of Christ (the denomination not the generic version) there is a growing conversation about being missional. Like most mainline denominations, the Disciples have grown timid and looked inward. We've focused more on institutional survival than in looking outward into the world. We have struggled with evangelism and our efforts at social outreach have involved more the cutting of checks than hands on efforts.

It's in that context that leaders, especially leaders involved with church revitalization caught on to this missional idea. I've mentioned this on several other occasions, the issue for many of us is the way in which a progressive Christian community can take on this sensibility. Since the missional movement was born in more evangelical circles, and often takes on evangelical language, is it appropriate for us to borrow and reconfigure this term?

I'm still exploring this whole idea. Of course, I have fairly strong evangelical roots -- I have two degrees from Fuller Seminary after all! The question that we in the mainline who are left of center need to ask is this: How might we faithfully incarnate the missional ideal while being faithful to our own sense of what it means to be Christian?

With that in mind, I know that I must continue to read and converse with those whose orientation is evangelical. For that reason I subscribed to the Missional Journal, an email journal published by Biblical Seminary and its president, David Dunbar. In the December issue, he wrestles with this issue -- what does it mean to be missional. His basic definition is this, and its a good one:

The missional church movement is an attempt by Western Christians to reclaim our identity as disciples--people learning to be like Jesus and ready to follow him into our world.


With that as our starting point, being missional involves at least three elements:

1. "The missional vision is outward-facing rather than inward-facing."

This point almost needs no comment. If we are focused on institutional survival and a chaplaincy model of being church we will not accomplish much in the world. But Jesus went into the world, challenging the powers that be and bringing a word of transformation. The church, especially in the early centuries of its existence was a movement of social transformation. In many respects we have lost that vision.

2. "The missional vision is confident rather than fearful."

I greatly appreciate this statement. We are a timid lot. We hunker down, afraid of our own shadows. We're concerned about finances. We're concerned about what people might think. We think the world is against us, and so we circle the wagons. What do you think this "War on Christmas" stuff is all about, it's about fear. We fear the loss of status and station. We look back to the golden age of the 1950s when the schools did the work of the church by teaching Christmas carols and the like. But because we looked to the government to reinforce the faith, we lost our ability to not only proclaim faith but nurture faith.

But I would want to add, that while the church should be confident and not fearful, at the same time the church must be careful not to take on a triumphalist attitude!

3. "The missional vision is incarnational."

Here is where the rubber meets the road. I take very seriously Paul's statements about the church being the body of Christ. If the world is to encounter Jesus, they will likely encounter Jesus in us, in the church. What is unfortunate is that while much of the world is intrigued with the person of Jesus, the last place they think to look when seeking out Jesus is the church. We are not on the radar screen. I guess that's because we've done a bad job of incarnating the one we call Lord and Savior.

When it comes to incarnating Jesus, David Dunbar points out that it means more than a focus on words. There must be actions as well. He points to Ephesians 2:10, a passage that in context speaks of our salvation being an act of grace, received by faith, and not the result of works. That is, our place in God's presence is not earned but received with thankfulness. That being said, there is a place for good works.

For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. (Ephesians 2:10)


David Dunbar expands on this question of good works, and asks what that means for the church and the world.

What specific good works are in view? A local congregation can only answer this question by prayerfully following Jesus into the "world" (i.e. their local neighborhood). Such a congregation might ask the question, "How would this community be different if the Kingdom arrived in power today?" The answer would offer a helpful clue to the kind of good works God has prepared for them.


The issue before us not the survival of the church or of Christianity, but rather our willingness to go where Jesus has gone and join him in the ministry of God. That is, it would appear, what it means to be missional!



Comments

Anonymous said…
I've heard the word 'missional' used but have not really known what it means. Thanks for putting some flesh on the idea. It reminds me of something Andrew Purves said about the task of ministry being to discern where the risen Christ is active in the world and to participate in that activity. Peace to you today.
Anonymous said…
We talk alot about culture here.. and this really where the rubber meets the road. (to borrow your quote) Its easy to cast a vote, pick a party, or even write a check.. but to be missional is so much more.

I struggle deeply with this, recognizing how wrapped up I am in this world. Inside I want to be involved in my community.. but my 9-5 job for 5 days, half a day at church.. and that leaves barely any time for outreach. Sadly, its work in the world that gets my "first fruits".

When we start to live this.. its engaging, difficult, almost offensive, exciting.. its all of life.

-Chuck
John said…
Chuck,

I do not see my day job as an impediment or distraction to my mission, but as my "mission field." I see my day job as providing opportunities and a forum to express my "missional" side, that is to reflect the compassion and healing and joy of Jesus in the world.

I still do my job but most everyone I interact with knows of my faith and I think anticipates that my faith will inform my work and my relationship with them - my first fruits at work!

Moreover, rarely a workday goes by without my engaging in at least one discussion which touches on faith - and those discussion always seem to be the best parts of my days.

I don't think my interactions are offensive - even with those with whom I strongly disagree on matters of faith - because I know their faith is as sincere as mine and I respect the depth of their relationship with God.

John
Anonymous said…
John,
Do you mind if I ask what you do and what kind of company you work for? I work for a large corporation that has a much trumpeted "diversity" policy. It almost feels like a don't ask don't tell type of policy when it comes to religion. That said, I do think the burden is on me to routinely share my faith in a real way. That too is the burden I struggle with in a very hostile environment. (its also why I am looking for a different job)

Any insights are helpful.

Thanks
Chuck
John said…
Chuck,

I have the luxury of being self employed. I am an attorney - a sole practitioner specializing in civil law, real estate and insurance.

So, while I don't have management second guessing me, I do have to be responsive to my clients and all of my clients are by referral.

John
Anonymous said…
Self employed.. living the dream. I often wonder if that is the way of the Christian. Jesus was the ultimate entrepreneur, while the temple was like the corporation. I often reflect on how my office is the same size as a cell.. and often feels like one. Its funny how my work promotes "diversity", yet the reality is everyone is required to act a certain way towards everyone. Isn't that called conformity?

-Chuck

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