Practical Steps Toward Missional Living
It seems that I’m pointing you to this blog often lately. But, that’s because Chris keeps writing excellent blog posts.
I’m talking about Chris from “The Amplified Life.” His latest post is called “Making Missional Living Practical.” In this post, Chris shares eight ideas (which he found at another blog) about how to live a more missional life.
Here are the eight ideas:
1. Eat with Non-Christians.
2. Walk; Don’t Drive.
3. Be a Regular.
4. Hobby with Non-Christians.
5. Talk to Your Co-Workers.
6. Volunteer with Non-Profits.
7. Participate in City Events.
8. Serve Your Neighbors.
Chris quotes some comments about each of these ideas. So, jump over to his blog to learn more.
I will say this: These ideas will not make you live a missional life. However, they will give you opportunities to live missionally.
What do you think? Do you have other ideas to add?
Our shared mission
The English term “mission” comes from the Latin missio meaning “act of sending” (noun form) or “to send” (verb form). The related Greek terms are the verb/noun combination from which we get the noun “apostle” (which means “one who is sent” or “ambassador” or “messenger”).
As God’s children, we are all sent by God into the world. We share this mission (“sending”) as the church of God.
It’s often difficult to talk about this shared (or common) mission because people tend to focus on their part of the mission. Those who are gifted or talented at proclaiming the gospel tend to focus on evangelism. Those who are gifted and able to travel from place to place tend to focus on itinerant or apostolic service. Those who are gifted or talented teacher tend to focus on that part of the mission.
However, in reality, every one of God’s children (every person indwelled by the Spirit – every person who has been saved by Jesus Christ) is important in God’s mission. When we focus on one part of that mission (evangelism, apostleship, teaching, etc.), we also end up excluding others or diminishing their importance in God’s mission.
In the same way, God’s children are sent everywhere. Some are sent across the world, and some are sent across the street. The destination does not change the mission. However, when we focus on the mission as belonging only to those who are sent around the world, we end up excluding others or diminishing their importance in God’s mission.
Similarly, God sends some of his children primarily to those who are not (yet) his children. These servants focus on introducing people to the gospel of Jesus Christ. God sends others primarily to those who are (already) his children. These servants focus on strengthening the church and helping one another walk in maturity in Jesus Christ. When we focus on the mission as being only to unbelievers or only to believers, we end up excluding others or diminishing their importance in God’s mission.
Finally, if we are called to serve in a certain way, we must not limit ourselves to that single way of serving. Evangelists should also give. Teacher should also serve. Apostles should also exhort. If God sends us to a particular area, we must recognize that we are “sent” even when we are not in that area. If God primarily uses us among a certain type of people (nonbelievers or believers, for example), we must recognize that we are sent to the other “type” of people as well.
Yes, we have a shared (common) mission. We have all been sent by God. We have the same mission, though we have all been sent to work in different manners, in different locations, and among different people. We work best when we work together. We work best when we exalt in the different ways that God sends us.
I would love to hear how God has sent you on his mission.
Raising missional homeschooled children
My friend Wes at “a mission-driven life” has written an excellent article called “Missional Homeschooling.”
This post is a much needed correction to much that I’ve seen in homeschooling, primarily the desire to separate children from the world. Yes, we are to teach our children about God, both by our words and by our example. However, we cannot do this if we keep our children separated from the world.
Why? Because God loves the world, and he is sending us into the world. However, if we separate our children from the world, we are teaching them something that is contrary to God’s plan.
Here’s just one of the excellent paragraphs from Wes’ article:
Missional, as I define it, means the church being the church in its given cultural context. It means engaging the culture with the life-giving gospel holistically in the very neighborhoods where its members reside. Homeschools, as embodiments of the gospel and their local church to their neighbors, are providentially placed for taking their neighborhoods by storm. You may have various reasons for choosing to homeschool, but having made that choice, allow God to use you in reaching your neighbors. You will do this by example, in loving truth and learning, but most importantly in physically demonstrating your love for others, through both actions and the verbal proclamation of the gospel.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic.
Guest Post: A reflection of Jesus Christ
Lately, I’ve been publishing “guest blog posts.” However, this post is not one of those planned post. Instead, what you read below was left by John as a comment on my post “Guest Post: How does the church respond to poverty?”
However, I thought this comment was too good to be left in the comments. Yes, I know that I could have highlighted it in my “comment highlight” post for tomorrow, but I’m hoping that by publishing it here, even more people will read it.
Why? Because this is an excellent example of what happens when Christians step out of their comfort zones and get to know people that they would normally avoid. We’ve seen stories much like the ones listed below. These kinds of stories are everywhere, because people are everywhere.
Please read John’s story below, and respond to him in the comments.
——————————
Two weeks ago I spent time in Beaumont, Texas with a friend Mike who has been ministering to lower income people now for several years. He was once a traditional pastor and was called by God to leave and follow Him. After many months of waiting and praying he was led to go to into some lower income neighborhoods. He would drive through the different neighborhoods and pray. He did this for weeks. Over time, he got out of his car and began walking around, talking to those who lived there. Six years later, there are now about 120+ individuals who are now believers in Jesus Christ. They were drug addicts, abusers, drug dealers, thieves, sick, and lonely. Today they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Mike took me out with him on his regular Saturday visits. They call them house meetings. Mike prays and the Holy Spirit puts different people on his heart and schedules time to visit with them.
We went to half a dozen houses where we were always warmly greeted. Some people lived in nice clean homes. At the first house a young man in his twenties sat on his front porch in a t-shirt and pajama bottoms. He got up to greet us with his hand extended “Hello”. He led us into his house, sparsely furniture, neat and in order. He walked us into a converted garage that was now a family room. Mike sat on the floor, I sat on a nice comfortable love seat. His wife and cousin joined us on the sofa. Mike asked about how they had been and they talked as I noticed on the far wall a color photo of Dr. Martin Luther King. It was centered on the wall surrounded by four dancing abstract figures, one on the top, one to the right and left and the forth directly underneath. Dr. King had a place of great respect in their home. Our host had been suffering from residual effects of a car accident, his cousin was headed to court Monday morning for a hearing. We all prayed for physical healing from the back pain. Next for God’s will to be done in court. There were smiles and thanks to Jesus all around and a scheduled pick-up time for a ride to tomorrow morning to the community center.
Another man lived in a rat infested blood stained room with blowing sheets for windows. He was asleep on a brown, dirty mattress. Struggling to wake from his dreams and a tattered blanket. He had just gotten out of the hospital and was weak and hungry. But was full of praises for Jesus. A quick trip to the store for the requested white bread, boloney, and fruit punch and he was that much closer to heaven.
Another elderly gentleman had just moved into an apartment from a nursing home. “God answered my prayers Mike, God answered my prayers!” He exclaimed as we walked up to him sitting outside his front door in his wheelchair. “Praise God! He answered my prayer! You know this apartment is from the Lord? He answered my prayers!” he just kept repeating it. “Yes sir!” We replied. His thanks to the Lord was infectious. Despite his physical condition there was nothing but thanks and a face that beamed brighter than any words could express. We introduced ourselves to several others in the building, invited them to the gathering the next day to celebrate Jesus at the community center with us. Some head nods and handshakes as Mike said, “we’ll see you and talk again.”
Mike had one particular women who he wanted me to meet, but wasn’t sure she would let me into her house, as she has a very difficult time around people she doesn’t know. He called her and invited us over. She was concerned, hesitant about having a new visitor. Her room was in an old converted YMCA, repurposed as low income housing. Mike was invited into her apartment as I waited outside until the all clear. Once inside her apartment there as a gold bird cage with two tiny birds, one yellow, one red. She was standing staring straight ahead at the them as I entered the room. I got as still as she was and didn’t flinch a bit. “Those are beautiful birds.” I said. “There’re chirping because they’re afraid of you.” she replied. “They afraid and don’t know what to do, so they’re chirping.” I was frozen. We were all caged at that moment. The birds, this women, Mike and I. “They’re chirping is beautiful and there colors are so bright.” I eventually said. “Yeah” she replied. “Have a seat” Mike interjected. Mike swung a chair out from under a small table and took a seat, I sat on a chair next to a floor lamp. She sat down on an armchair and began caressing it’s arms repeatedly. We soon found out that one of her friends who was a drug addict had OD’d the day before. She had just found out earlier that morning, She was bound with grief, confused and desperate. She slowly opened up and talked as best she could through her pain. We shared in her tears and heartache. When we left she gave Mike a smile and a hug. She looked at me and said, “I’ll give you a hug too” and wrapped her arms around me and I squeezed ever so gently back on God’s little bird.
The next day at the community center about 45 or so believers from the neighborhood gathered to express their love for their Savior and Redeemer. Mothers separated from their children, children without their parents, couples who no longer beat each other, sons and daughters who left their drug use and other addictions behind simply walked in, greeted each other, sat, prayed and worshipped the Lord together. As I looked around at a room of faces I would have just walked on by years ago, I found myself staring at each and every one, a reflection of Jesus Christ.
Much love to you all, may your eyes be opened, your ears hear and your hearts made flesh.
I need help serving my neighbor
Last Saturday was a bad day for me. I think I caught some kind of stomach bug. I’ll spare you the details.
But, Saturday evening, I received a phone call that was very encouraging!
A friend of mine called and told me about his neighbor. I knew a little about her already from talking with him before. She had recently experienced a couple of deaths in her immediate family, and she was not handling it well.
This neighbor had welcomed my friend and his family into her life. But, as my friend told me, they thought they needed help. The lady was open to meeting and talking with more people. Did I have any suggestions?
We talked about possibilities for a few minutes, then he said that he would bring it up with the church Sunday. He would ask our brothers and sisters if they had any suggestions on how his family could better serve this neighbor. He would also ask them if they would be willing to spend time with his neighbor.
Unfortunately, my unwelcomed visitor decided to stay with me through Sunday morning, so I did not meet with the church. I know that my friend talked about his neighbor, but I don’t know what was said.
Last night, some other friends invited Margaret (my wife) and me out to dinner. There were six of us all together. Guess what one of the topics of conversation was? Our friend’s neighbor. (And, no, I didn’t bring up the topic.)
I think something special happens when the church (as a whole) gets involved in someone’s life. Some call it “belonging” before “believing.” I call it taking Jesus Christ to people through his community.
What do you think? Have you ever been part of a church or group of believers who served someone together like this? Have you ever been served or helped in this way?
People are suffering all around us. Are you giving God the opportunity to help through you?
Think about the people living around you, in your neighborhood or just down the road. Did you know they are suffering?
It’s true. There are marital problems, children problems, abuse, drugs, poverty, crime, hunger, joblessness. Yes, right there in your neighborhood.
Do you not see them? Do you not know about them? The problems are there.
Did you know that God desires to work among the people with those problems? Did you know that he wants to do that while working through you?
It’s true.
Oh, I know what you’re thinking. You can’t solve the sex trafficking issue or the problem with drugs or the pains of alcoholism, drug abuse, prostitution, etc. That’s true, too.
But, did you know that God never asks you to solve those problems?
Nope. He only asks one thing. He asks that you allow him to work through you in the life of someone (or some people) who are hurting… Jesus called them “the least.”
Are you giving God the opportunity to help through you?
Putting yourself in situations where you can meet people
For the last few years, God has been teaching me about putting myself in situations to meet people. But, not just any people – people who are hurting, who are in need, who are typically not shown love or not accepted.
I’ll admit that I’m still not very good at this. I still love *my* life too much. There are still too many things that I don’t want to give up.
So, it’s always encouraging (and challenging) to read posts like Bobby’s (from “Deconstructing Neverland“) called “Dirty laundry and making disciples.”
Bobby has done exactly what God is teaching me: he put himself in a situation to meet people. What situation? A laundromat. The post is about one person in particular that Bobby met. This person is very different from Bobby, but God is showing him how he can work through Bobby in this man’s life.
Read Bobby’s post. I’m sure that you’ll be encouraged too. If you’re like me, you’ll be praising God for what he’s doing! (While you’re at it, read this follow up post from Bobby called “The motel that lies in the shadow of death.”)
Guest Blogger: Five Ways to move Traditional Church toward Missional
I’ve invited several people to write “guest blog posts” for this blog. There are several reasons for this: 1) To offer different perspectives. 2) To generate even more discussion and conversation between blogs. 3) To introduce other bloggers to my readers.
(If you are interested in writing a guest blog post, please contact me at aknox[at]sebts[dot]com.)
Today’s guest blog post is written by Jeremy from “Till He Comes,” “Grace Ground,” and “Grace Books.” You can also follow Jeremy on Facebook and Twitter.
—————————————————
Five Ways to move Traditional Church toward Missional
Many churches want to become more missional, but are still operating under the mindset of “If we build it they will come.” To move toward missional, churches must develop a mindset that asks, “What are they doing which we can join?” No longer can we call people to come to us; we must take the initiative and go to them.
Here are five suggestions for making this happen in your own community:
1. Service Sunday
It is not enough to preach and teach about meeting the needs of the community. The congregation needs leadership by example. And while a community service project on Thursday night or Saturday morning is a tiny step in the right direction, all churches know from experience that few people turn out to such events.
Church leaders can show they mean business about community service by actually leading their congregation into the community on a Sunday morning when they would usually be in the “church service.”
(See here for a church that is actually doing this: http://www.alanknox.net/2011/04/this-church-is-meeting-for-a-real-church-service/ )
2. Move out of the Building
Sometimes a pastor or church leader can raise awareness and develop relationships within the community simply by moving the Bible studies, board meetings, and prayer groups out of the church building, and into the community. Not into someone’s home, but to a coffee shop, restaurant, beach, park, or even a bar.
If you pick a place, and keep going back week after week, month after month, blessing the business by being good customers, or the location by not being rude or loud and leaving the place clean, relationships will be developed and your own members will begin to see the needs in the community. This recognition of needs helps the church move into the next three suggestions.
3. Open up your building to “sinners”
Lots of churches have policies that restrict the use of the building to “nice religious folks only.” It is never stated this bluntly, but the policy usually states that any outside group wishing to use the building must agree to no drinking, swearing, or smoking on the premises, no loud music, no dancing, and a variety of other things. In other words, our “Building Use Policy” restricts the use of the building for religious people and religious purposes only.
If Jesus was known as the friend of sinners, tax gatherers, prostitutes, gluttons, and drunkards, the church should also be known for such things, including the use of our buildings. If your building policy doesn’t allow for such people to meet in the building, then maybe you should revisit the policy.
If we follow Jesus in the use of our buildings, there is no greater compliment we could receive than to hear a religious person criticize us for allowing drunkards and sinners to meet in our building.
4. Answer your own prayers
Prayer meetings are great, but all too often, we use prayer as a substitute for obedience. Christians would much rather pray for their neighbor than actually go serve them, and then we wonder why God doesn’t answer our prayers for them more often.
Could it be that as God listens to our prayers for the drug addicts down the street, and the corruption in the city council, and the neighbor who has a daughter that got pregnant out of wedlock, that He is saying, “I would love to answer that prayer request..through you. What are you going to do about it?”
Every prayer meeting should be concluded with action steps on what the church is going to do to answer their own prayer requests. A church could even cancel every other prayer meeting so that they could go be an answer to the prayer requests from the previous week.
5. Join Community Events
Many churches love to do community service, but on their own terms, and in their own way, and from their own building, and in a way that allows them to hand out their own literature and Gospel tracts. Sometimes this is effective, but most often it is not. It uses a lot of time, energy, and resources.
A better approach might be to let the city or town do most of the planning and preparing, and then simply join them in what they are doing. Sure, you won’t be able to pass out tracts, but you will still be connecting with people in the city and the town in a real and tangible way, which is better in the long run.
So rather than host a children’s carnival on your own property, go join the city’s kids carnival in the city park. Rather than go clean up the baseball field on your own, join the city when they do it. When the city has their July 4th celebration, offer to provide clean-up crews. There are so many things the city is doing, and the church can make their presence known by getting involved.
Conclusion
When it comes to following Jesus into the community, there is no telling where He might take you. Have you and your church been led into some strange and unusual places? Have you tried any of the suggestions above? If so, let us know in the comment section below.
Thinking about itinerant servants and the church
Paul, Barnabas, Timothy, Silas, Peter, Mark, and many other people mentioned in the New Testament were itinerant at least for a while.
Itinerant, in this sense, means that they moved around from place to place proclaiming the gospel and strengthening churches. Itinerant also means that they did not intend to stay in one place permanently. Sometimes they stayed in one place a few days; sometimes a few weeks; sometimes a few months; sometimes even a few years. But, the intention was always to keep moving, as long as they considered themselves itinerant.
I’m using the term “itinerant” instead of other possible descriptions. For example, I could call these people “apostolic,” but that term has been misused and hijacked lately, I think. (But I do believe that being itinerant is related to the spiritual gift of apostleship.) I could also used the terms “emissary” or “representative” or “ambassador” but those terms have a governmental or political connotation today.
So, while I’m thinking about “itinerants” – and I plan to write about this more in the coming days – I have a couple of questions for you, my readers, to help me think through this topic.
1) Is there a better term than “itinerant” to describe a person who travels from place to place without the intention of remaining in that place in order to proclaim the gospel and strengthen the church?
2) How does the scriptural view of the “itinerant” contrast or compare with different types of servants (“minister”) today?
3) Do you think there is a place and/or need in the church today for itinerant servants? Why or why not?
Why do we expect Jesus to only be with the “righteous” today?
Yesterday, I was talking with someone about our relationship with God in Christ. When Jesus Christ walked the earth 2000 years ago, those who considered themselves to be “right with God” (i.e., righteous) often complained that Jesus continued to hang out with the dregs of society.
For example, look at this passage:
As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:9-13 ESV)
Tax collectors were rejected by the Jews. Yet, Jesus invited one to be one of his closest disciples, and he even ate at that sinner’s house. In other passages, Jesus was condemned for associating with prostitutes. Jesus surrounded himself with sinners, the lowest rung of religious society, those rejected by “the righteous.”
In response to this rejection, Jesus said two things:
1) God desires mercy, and not sacrifice.
2) Jesus is here for sinners, not the righteous.
How do we respond to Jesus’ words here? How do we respond to sinners in our society? How would Jesus respond? Is Jesus still with the sinners today, or does he only hang out with the righteous?
And, finally, how do we see ourselves? Are we the sinners or the righteous?