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Misunderstanding Missional Church
I know for some, the missional church seems like the trend du-jour. As I read through articles, blogs, and books, I’m noticing that there are strong opinions about the missional church from many church leaders. And while I don’t pretend to speak for every missional leader, I would like to address a handful of these common misperceptions.
The missional church is a new idea
Perhaps the word, “missional” is a recent discovery to our vernacular, but it’s been around for a while (since the 1800’s). However, the command to “Go and make disciples…” has been around for a couple of thousand years. And the missio dei, the mission of God, has been around since the fall of humanity. It’s not a new idea. It’s a return to an ancient call to be the church Jesus had in mind. No trend here, just obedience.
The missional church believes gathering for worship is unnecessary
The misunderstanding here is the shift in thinking, “it’s all about Sunday” to “it’s all about everyday including Sundays.” A church that doesn’t worship Jesus is no church at all. But let’s not limit worship to an hour a week. That kind of dualistic thinking and lifestyle is a dangerous pool to swim in and doesn’t mesh with Scripture. The truth is missional churches do worship Jesus by assembling together- it just doesn’t end there.
The missional church is about raking leaves and hanging out in homes
Well…actually…that’s true. But it’s incomplete. The missional church intends to advance the gospel abeit through public gatherings, house parties, loving thy neighbor, serving their city, or having coffee with a friend. Whatever it takes to love God and others. Missional church doesn’t need a leaf-raking church program to help the elderly couple across the street. They just do it.
The missional church isn’t attractional
Imagination flows heavy in missional church. So does creativity. I’m not sure where the idea came from that missional church can’t (or won’t) have compelling environments. Perhaps the notion came from the correct rejection of reducing the church to being a big show or a building. Maybe it has something to do with replacing language like “we go to church” with “we are the church.” Nonetheless, missional church believes the most attractive environments are created when they are filled with compelling people.
The missional church isn’t concerned about church growth
Any missional church that doesn’t intend “to go and make disciples…” isn’t missional. Any missional church that intends to be a holy huddle (i.e. us 4 no more) isn’t missional. Actually, the opposite is true. All missional churches want to reach people far from God. As many as possible. And if that’s happening, the Church will grow. You can’t make disciples without people believing in Jesus in the first place. But with missional church, it doesn’t end there. Missional church is about two things: first steps and next steps. Getting thousands to an event isn’t church growth (concerts can do that), but making thousands of disciples is. That’s what missional church is committed to.
The missional church is a church model
Cookie cutter approaches are rare in missional church. What works in one city, may not work in another. True missional churches know their context. They’ve studied their culture and the rhythms of the people in their city. They look at the streams of people who aren’t connected to Jesus (or a church) and ask, “How can we meet them where they are?” The answer to that question will result is various methods, approaches, and styles. And the missional church has to continually pay attention to the ever-changing rapids of their culture- which means their methods will change as well. That said, my hope is that missional churches not just change with culture- but that we change culture. That’s our challenge.
If you’re a church leader, you may have noticed that some of this describes your church. Congratulations, you might be missional. The question is whether it’s by accident or intention.
You see, missional churches are simply biblical churches. The ones who “go and make disciples…” The ones who are centered on Jesus. The ones who love God and love people. The ones who are sent on mission by Jesus to reach the whole world with the greatest news to ever hit the planet- the gospel of Jesus Christ. That should be the mission of all biblical churches regardless of how we’re labeled.
That’s what being missional is all about.
One Church, Under Jesus,
Jason
Tweet This!21 Responses to “Misunderstanding Missional Church”
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great post! good thoughts from a guy that’s much smarter than me. I think it brings clarity to what you, as a local church, believe in “missionally”. good stuff!
[...] friend Jason has a great post on his blog today about misconceptions of what it means to be a missional church. He totally hit the nail on [...]
Great thoughts my friend…
You are so full of yourself in thinking you have it figured out. I can’t believe it. who are you to think you can tell us how to do church?
You started the controversy now….you messed up big time.
well…not really, love this post. you’re right on man! Awesome man.
that last post should have been anonymous cause the real angry people won’t state there real name….
ha ha…I’m having fun with this.
Once again, you prove why you are da’ man! Well said!
You think you’re real special with your fancy book learning and your little tricycle. Missional THIS you punk.
By the way, how did you get to be so incredibly good looking?
[...] Check out his post and let him know what you think. [...]
AWESOME post!!! Thanks for laying it out so simply and “awesomely”!!
HELL YEAH! thank you for this, Jason, Love what you’ve said here! Especially the part about the “church growth” myth. Making disciples is the goal, not attracting attenders. Although, I understand why the attractional church does what they do. I’m not sure which system works better – perhaps both are needed?
I guess on some level I continually read to see if we will disagree on anything! But that hasn’t happened yet! You are right on! The Church should be about reaching and changing the culture w/ Jesus’ Love! Not just loving them and taking them food or raking their leaves but doing that for the express purpose of developing a relationship w/ them! Relationships are the bridge over which the Gospel travels! Some things never change!
Incredible!!! I wish I was as smart and as good a writer as you!!! Love ya bro! This is meat fa sho!!, no gravy no bones… just meat!!!
Wow!!
That is some WORD for sure!!
“Getting thousands to an event isn’t church growth (concerts can do that), but making thousands of disciples is.”….AMEN!!
[...] GO HERE [...]
@Shawn – You’re pretty smart yourself there dude.
@Mark – Thanks my friend.
@Boyd – You liked my “controversial” comments did ya?
@Anonymous – Grrr.
@Chris – How can I be the man when you are the man?
@Mr. Anonymous- Grrr.
@Susanne – Simple is my middle name.
@Jesse – I’d be curious to see what others have to say… Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
@Clay – You stole my line. The Gospel travels on relational highways.
@Lloyd – I wish I was as creative and had dreadlocks like you.
@David- thanks man. Do your thing over in IL my man.
thanks . . . well said
[...] church (which we are), check out the notes from a message I taught a couple of months ago. Also, read this post about common misperceptions about the missional church I wrote earlier this [...]
@Michael – Thanks much
Thanks Jason – Allowing for the constraints of orthodox language, this is a useful, basic reflection on some basic misperceptions of missional church.
Just checking on the comment “And the missio dei, the mission of God, has been around since the fall of humanity.” I’m not completely sure what that one means. Could it possibly be an overly human centered understanding of the nature of God or a narrow understanding of the nature of at-one-ment?
Nice post Jason. You’ve been doings some exploring of the paradigm.
Jason
Wow. Saw a link over on Lloyd Owen’s site and I’m glad I clicked it. Way to go. This needs to be a bulletin insert at alot of churches I’ve visited…(and I’d venture a text book supplement at ALOT of seminaries)
Thanks for the great post, and for the reminder that the method is less important than the goal: to meet people where they are today and introduce them to the One who can change their eternity.