Missional

Some Christian congregations engage in missions programs, while others regard themselves as missional. What's the difference? The former think of their missions/service/outreach activities as being programmatic, specific programs planned and implemented by staff/volunteers of the church to accomplish particular objectives. The latter consider the entire life of the congregation to be centered on and motivated by a sense of God's mission. The various ministries and activities of the congregation relate directly to God's redemptive purpose made known in the ministry and work of Jesus Christ. The church exists not for itself, but for the mission to which God has called -- and sent -- it. In fact, to be missional means to be sent, sent into the world as Christ's emissary, Christ's ambassador.

The 21st century presents Christian churches with the renewed awareness that we perform our ministries in a mission field. That's true whether our church is located in the USA or the Far East or Central America. Those of us in the US have been accustomed to thinking of ourselves as being part of a Christian nation. But the fact is that we are a mission field, indeed one of the largest such fields in the world, considering the numbers of citizens who are not involved in Christian faith and practice.

To be missional simply means to focus our congregational ministry and attention on the mission God revealed in sending Christ into the world. It is a redemptive, forgiving, life-giving mission. The church that is missional spends its energies sharing that Good News through a vast array of venues and activities -- all of which arise from a sense of what God is calling it to do.