The "Church Next" (PT.3)

The Church-Next is Sacrificial.
The Church-Next is Incarnational.
The Church-Next is Missional.

Missional is a word that is definitely getting tossed out a lot these days and for the most part it is misunderstood.

Some think missional is about house church.
Some think missional is about emerging church.
Some think missional is about anti-numerical growth.
Some think missional is about sending people to Uganda.
Some think missional is about the new way to say you're anti-status-quo.

But missional simply means 'sent'....that's it.
The mega church can do it.
The house church can do it.
The small church can do it.
The traditional church can do it.
The contemporary church can do it.
And if the church is going to reclaim the mission of God for what it was intended to be-- making disciples--we should ALL do it.

Really, think about it. How are we doing at making disciples that make disciples?

The church must make a shift toward giving equal emphasis and resources to scattering as we do gathering.

How?

PURPOSE AND INTENTIONALITY!

So far we've only taught people to be purposeful inside the church and in the context of church ministry (mission trips, outreach events, block-parties, church sponsored service opportunities) but we've done very little in helping people live purposefully for the mission of God outside the church. Think about it. What's the percentage of time, resources and energy we spend getting people to serve within/or alongside the church vs. time, resources and energy spent on helping them engage the outside...in their context...with their own unique skills, education and occupational giftedness?

And the issue isn't 'let's get them out more.' The fact is we are already scattered! We have jobs, we have neighborhoods, we have friends outside of church, we go golfing, we go to parties, our kids are involved in soccer and piano lessons, we belong to clubs and organizations. We are way, way scattered!

What the church needs to do is just help people understand how to be purposeful and intentional in those settings...to take advantage of the opportunities God has right in front of their faces.

Quetions:
Are you missional?
Is your church missional?
How are you making missional happen in your context?

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