What is Missional?

There are many things being said and written about what it is to be missional as a church both individually and corporately. I'm currently reading Dan Kimball's new book They Like Jesus But Not the Church, which I find extremely refreshing -- particularly from his perspective as a pastor of a larger congregation. On page 20 he writes the following regarding the question, "what is Missional?"

He begins by stating that "to be missional is more than just to evangelize." And offers the following in ways of thinking concerning this term..

• Being missional means that the church sees itself as being missionaries, rather than having a missions department, and that we see ourselves as missionaries right where we live.
• Being missional means that we see ourselves as representatives of Jesus "sent" into our communities, and that the church aligns everything it does with the missio dei (mission of God).
• Being missional means we see the church not as a place we go only on Sunday, but as something we are throughout the week.
• Being missional means that we understand we don't "bring Jesus" to people but that we realize Jesus is active in culture and we join him in what he is doing.
• Being missional means we are very much in the world and engaged in culture but are not conforming to the world.
• Being missional means we serve our communities, and that we build relationships with the people in them, rather than seeing them as evangelistic targets.
• Being missional means being all the more dependent on Jesus and the Spirit through prayer, the Scriptures, and each other in community.

Much of the above thoughts we've discussed earlier, but to have listed together helps our overall perspective. This is not an exhaustive list for sure, and maybe you might want to add to this list. Feel free to add to and make comments as we dialogue together in what it is for us to be a "missional" people.

The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church by Alan Hirsch, Brazos Press: 2006

The Forgotten Ways was birthed in the trenches of the author’s own experience as a church planter and denominational leader. In the throws of ministry he was confronted with questions concerning the early church in regard its overall growth and expansion. How did as few as 25,000 adherents in AD 100 go to as high as 20,000,000 by AD 300? This led him to ask the same questions regarding the Church in China from 1950 till the mid 1980s; from 2 million adherents to 60 – 80 million.

Delving into this dilemma the author discovered what he calls Apostolic Genius or mDNA (the built-in life force and guiding mechanism of God’s people) and the living components or elements that comprise it. The general assumption in this book is that just as the human body carries its genetic code within a DNA strand so God’s people carry within themselves the same potencies that energized the early church and are currently manifest in the underground Chinese church. The problem is that we have simply forgotten how access and trigger it.

As Howard Snyder has said, “Hirsch’s analysis is on target historically, biblically and theologically,” as he describes and clarifies in practitioner language the Apostolic Genius in contemporary context. For those who are serious about being a part of a church planting movement in the 21^st Century this book should be considered a must read.

In the back of the book the reader will find an addendum and glossary extremely helpful in clarifying both current terminology and practice regarding the missional paradigm we find ourselves in. For some this volume will offend, but for most it should be a refreshing wind propelling us forward in these emergent times.

My Life Lessons as I turn 60

Today November 23, 2006 I awoke to the reality that I was sixty years of age. Turning sixty seems somewhat strange and surreal; with a tinge of significance. I recall a time when trusting anyone over thirty was not cool and now at 30 x 2, is just plain weird. Because of this monumental milestone there is something within that compels me with mixed emotions to take assessment or inventory of life itself; my life to be specific.

Celebrating a birthday on Thanksgiving is nothing new, every seven years this has been my experience. But that my “60th” birthday is Thanksgiving Day 2006 has something of economic or ecological dimension. So here goes a fallible attempt to at least place in written form some lessons I’ve learned over the course of my life, considering them worthy of mention to those closest to my heart.

Lesson One - Life is Not Fair.

The first lesson is that life is not fair. I didn’t really understand this one until later in life. But by observation over several years I noticed that we humans spend a great deal of time consumed trying to make life equitable for ourselves and those around us. If you think about it, most of the tension we face in life is our futile attempt to make things fair; first for ourselves and then if we have any energy left, fair for those around us. I’ve noticed that most (not all) of life’s conflicts spring from this very tension. The thing we refuse to accept is the reality that life is not fair. Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. People die young and prematurely. They are diagnosed with cancer having never smoked. Thousands of innocent children are abandoned and orphaned on a daily basis, and people treat us rudely after showing them kindness. And list goes on.

The truth of matter is that God never intended life to be fair. If fairness was God’s intention, He wouldn’t allow the rain to fall on the just and the unjust alike. If life were fair, Jesus would not have had to go to the cross and die for our sins. But He did, and one result from this huge unfairness is the blessing of living in the midst of an unfair world. The good thing is that we possess spiritual potential (because of Him) to live in this place of tension; a place of simultaneity, of being in the world and yet not a part of it. We are able to be in the midst of it all and yet above it all at the same time. Although most of the time it feels nothing like that.

One thing that provides me hope is the reminder from Scripture that one day God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. In other words, God will one day make everything fair and just, and make all the wrongs right. (Ecclesiastes 12:14)

Lesson Two - Everything in Life Occurs in the Context of Relationship. And the most valuable relationships rarely occur on your terms –

I wish I had known this truth long ago, for much of life my relational skills have been skewed by the culture I was fashioned in. Everything really does happen in the context of relationship, and it’s usually in relationship with other people, although it can be with places and things.

To help us understand this truth it helps to understand that God’s number one agenda item is reconciliation. This is the reason Jesus came to earth was to provide a way for us to be reconciled to God through his death on a cross, his burial and resurrection and have a relationship with Him. Because Christ is our peace, he has broken down all the dividing walls that we erect that separate and divide us from one another.

It is in this context of relationship that we learn what it means to be a Christ-follower, because 90% of what God teaches us occurs in relationship to and with people. We learn from God what it means to love Him, by loving others. The Apostle John said; “For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” The same thing goes for all the other disciplines we are encouraged to practice such as serving and encouraging one another.

Our skewed culture says, relationship happens with people who are like us. Those individuals who act, think, and even dress like us. And oh yes, those who agree with us and those we choose because they fit within our perimeters of comfort. But life has taught me that the most valuable relationships are with people who are not like me and I might not like and would probably not pick as friends for the very reasons listed above. And in most cases are people I didn’t choose. Sometimes they are chosen for me through circumstances, situations, crisis, and the crucibles of life. I’ve learned that people who significantly impact me are those who are unlike me culturally, socially, racially and theologically. Their impact comes in ways that add richness to my life.

Lesson Three - It is better to Be Kind than Right.

I have come to a season where I’m quite bored with Christian apologists who claim to possess the right doctrine. With all due respect to evolutionists and intelligent designers- your arguments are incredibly uninteresting and boring and do not have much to do with the beauty of God or the mystery of life. The perception of being right probably provides an important sense of security to those of us who have become uncomfortable with the discontinuity of life but it also makes many of us proud, arrogant and mean spirited.

Jesus was an artist and poet who happened to be a scientist among other things. This is how I make sense of life and one reason I follow Jesus. He was right but that isn’t what made him so incredible and difficult to ignore. His kindness is what made him interesting, attractive and surprising. It is time for those of us who say we follow him ought to focus on becoming like him, particularly in this area of kindness.

A long time ago, I quit being surprised by how often I fail at being kind. It usually occurs in the process of making myself seem right in my own eyes and those of others. Reflecting back on life, I now grieve concerning the multitude of occasions I was unkind to others; and to those who hold the place of significance in my heart – specifically my wife, children and grandchildren. I agree with the words of Abraham Heschel (a Holocaust Survivor); “When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people; as I grow older, I admire kind people.” And Albert Schweitzer who said; “Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.” I sincerely want to be that kind of person.

Paul speaking to the Romans asked this question “…..do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? (2:4 NIV) This verse suggests that when I withhold kindness from another I demonstrate my contempt for the richness of God kindness that I’ve personally experienced. Too often my experience with someone who disagrees with me is to dismiss them as “less than” and move on with little consideration toward being kind. Unfortunately, the result is an outward manifestation of my own arrogance and insensitivity to God’s kindness both in my life and that of one I disagree with.

Lesson Four – Humility is the Path of Real Life

Every time God does a work of significance in our heart or takes us to a deeper relational level with him, he always places us on a path of humility. Humility is an essential attitude for success in one’s spiritual life. Any self-centeredness, whether nurtured by intelligence, wealth, position, or the praise of others, is an obstacle on the path. Genuine humility is not posturing. It requires a constant willing-ness to deny oneself, an openness to call ourselves into question, and to welcome Heaven's guidance even when it differs from one's own preconceived ideas.

Lesson Five - Gratitude is the Attitude of Humility

Officiating at numerous funerals has forced me to face my mortality. This is a good thing, because I’m accustomed to taking experiences and blessings of life for granted. I’m not saying I have completely stopped doing this, but I’m more appreciative for each new day that God grants and for special gifts like friends and family. I’ve discovered or better put realized how rich I am in both family and friends. And I want to give voice to this renewed understanding of coming to terms with living in a realm of blessing; with a multitude of great, good, faithful, and inspiring friends. Thank you Lord!!!

Gratitude is a mark humility. It is the recognition that One greater than myself is responsible for the benefits and blessings you experience. Without the recognition of His great love, mercy and provision, we will always be less than we could have been.

I’m most grateful and proud of is my family – which I feel personally I had little to do with. The person most responsible for our family is your mother and grandmother – I refer to her as my “Annie.” For nearly 40 years she has been the “wind beneath my sails.” For her, many times it’s been cold in my shadow as she has been content to let me shine. And any shining I’ve been able to do, is due completely to her willingness to sacrifice herself for her family – which she does on a moment by moment basis. I’ve been able to fly only to the extent that she is the wind beneath my sails. I have come to the place of realizing that I would have a difficult time functioning to any degree whatsoever without her. Though she may not realize it, she is at least 75% of who I am. God really knew what he was doing when he brought us together. Unfortunately it took me years to catch on. Annie, we all owe a debt of gratitude to the Lord for the special person you are how He has blessed our family with your presence. All of us: Andrea, Jimmy & Karen, Jason & Charlet, and Joy & Matt are thankful for you more than we can express.

Lesson Six - Family is Everything

Family is a great instructor in all the things God wants to teach us in our life time. Over the years I have reflected with sincere gratitude concerning the children God has blessed me with. Each one of them is unique and wonderful gifts from His hand. I love you all!!

In 2 Corinthians 5:15 says: “those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” I have no other choice as a Christ-follower. Indepted to Jesus Christ I live for him, as my consuming passion and the driving life force. This requires that I die to my own desires daily by crucifying the continuous urge that measures every action and decision around what is best for me.

Since this is the kind of life I have chosen, the life of the Spirit, I need make sure that I do not just hold it (the Scriptures) as good ideas in my head or as sentiment in my heart, but work out its implications in every detail of my life. In so doing my desire to live passionately for my Lord, loving more, giving more, and showing kindness to those in my world.

The E-Word

I recently came across an editorial from Christianity Today magazine http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/october/42.39.html
regarding saving the E-Word. The E-Word being "Evangelical(ism)." In America this word has changed in its perception and understanding among the public sector. It no longer carries the nuances and intent of the Church leaders who brought this label to promenence a half a century back. The editorial lists a few of the misperceptions the word evangelical now carries, such as; being defined in and by what evangelicalism is against rather than what it is for. Also being associated in the public's mind with extreme fundamentalism and the secular political agenda of the hard-right.

The evangelical label still works for some, and probably for most, but I'm finding it personally more difficult. If we (evangelicals) are honest, we've earned most of the current cultural perceptions. I'm too old and tired to place much energy in trying to rectify the damage that has been done in the past, and that which is happening currently. In fact, I'm finding my response to be one of distancing myself from those who want to be (strongly) identified as such.

Over the past couple of years I've been somewhat restless within evangelical label (box)and have been in search of a new and different label. Something that I could be more comfortable with as one who considers himself a serious Christ follower, who has been raised and trained within the bounds of evangelical orthodoxy I need something more realistic, more engaging in regard to the post-modern culture I find myself in.

I admit that I might have found a new label -- at least for now -- it is "post evangelical." We have post everything now days, why not a post-evangelical. Just kidding!! About six month ago I read Dave Tomlinson's book The Post-Evangelical. I've been pondering much of what I read in his book ever since, and often going back to it. Many of the issues I have as a discontent evangelical and the dissonance I feel within the evangelical box are shared by others.

Tomiinson actually endorses steps toward evangelicalism rather than away from. So for now, I prefer being identified among others things as a post-evangelical.

Letter to the Church

Len Haljmarsen a friend of mine was given an assignment from one of his Doctor of Ministry professors at ACTS to write a letter to the churches he was familar with in the style of the letters in Revelations. What follows is that letter. I believe that all who read this letter will find similarities in their fields of labor:

From the Ascended Lord, Jesus, the Son of God, the First-born of creation and the True Shepherd, to the emerging church in Canada.

I know your passion and courage, and I see your willingness to embrace the poor and broken of the world. I love your heart for purity, for renewal and reformation, and your willingness to wrestle with my Word. You are not those who are satisfied with yesterday's food, or with someone else's answers. And I see that your are intent on walking the walk, and not just talking talking the talk. Well done!

Your are intent on creating a truly welcoming community, and in being a city set on a hill. How I wish that my people had embraced this grace more fully! I love a community that is truly hospitable and where my people are known for their love. If you don't demonstrate the truth of the gospel in the way you live, it's better to cut out your tongue and stay silent.

But sometimes you give the impression that you are the only ones in history who got it right. Ridiculous. At other times you have little patience with those who don't understand. Remember, there was a time when you couldn't see past your own noses. In my eyes you are all poor and neeedy; I took you on a journey to open your eyes and ears and renew your minds. While you were yet sinners I died for you.

Sometimes you get caught up in ivory tower discussion. Perhaps that goes with the territory. You had to wade through the debris of centuries to understand the roots of the problems you face. But remember that you are in this for love. I am still a jealous God, and I am the bridegroom. While reimagining the church and working with the poor remember your first love. Abide in Me as I abide in you.

It has been difficult for some of you to hold the word and the Spirit together. The Kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power. I choose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. While you bring a needed theological foundation, remember that without Me you can do nothing. Don't merely invent a new "church growth" technique. Embrace the mystery of the Incarnation, as well as the blessings of wisdom and revelation. Welcome My presence and all the gifts of My Spirit.

I have called some to lead. In your passion for rediscovering community, don't neglect the gifts of leadership I give. Pay attention to the soil and seed. I am continuing to call trustworthy men and women to lead communities of faith. And while you learn more faithful ways of expressing these calls and of sharing leadership, you must continue to honor the gifts and callings I release.

Trust me as I lead you forward to new ways of structuring your shared life. You rightly responded to me by getting outside your four walls..... trust me now as I lead you forward into new kinds of communities. Don't be afraid to put flesh on the bones.... you will need both new wine and new wineskins.

It is easy when founding new communities to lose connection with my work through history. But the witness of truth is always much larger than any one group can embrace. You can't hope to escape the individualism of the recent past if you lack any sense of your place in history. Search out those who have gone before. Take the best and leave the rest. And don't be afraind to embrace a sacremental perspective. This will help you move beyond dualism as well as beyond rationalism and individualism.

Finally, I expect yo to love your critics, and not to adopt their methods. Every one who is humble, I will exalt. I will give them a password no one else knows. Listen to my words!

Life Metaphor

The metaphor that best describes my existence and purpose is that of a "pilgrim." Life experience has taught me that I will have much less figured out when my life ends than I imagined in earlier times.