Missional Living
A learning community of practicing disciples...this phrase highlights an important part of my dream for the Wheatland Mission. It is a bit general but I believe it captures the essence of where we are to go and I also think it is an apt description of the type of life Jesus described for us in the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20.The quote below is another pastor's perspective on what missional living looks like.
"A missional community is a group of Jesus' apprentices who so trust his brilliance and mastery of life, that they learn from him how to be like him for the sake of the world. Through this apprentice/master relationship, the community journeys together to become the fullness of God and thereby become a finite earthly expression of the infinite Tri-Community just as Jesus was in his earthly life. A missional community is about becoming by grace what Christ is by nature. As the community experiences this, wherever the community members live their daily lives, they are learning how to easily, naturally, and routinely embody, demonstrate and announce God's life and reign for the sake of the world around them."
What do you think of this? How would missional living look different than your previous church experiences?
posted by The Wheatland Mission @ 9:59 PM
5 Comments:
(I wonder what Tri-community means?)
I think I get the other stuff. What a great goal! To me, this statement is an eloquent way of stating what I've always been drawn to, a community I've always wanted to have with other Christians.
I'm not looking for perfect people. I'm looking for people who are trying to practice, people who want to do as this quote says.
For a long time I've had a desire to lead a "seamless" life. (Same at work, at play, at church) I think Cody and I have consciously attempted this for about 10 years now. Amazingly enough, it's easier to be a "Real Christian" in the secular world sometimes than to be a "Real Christian" in a "Christian" setting, in churches.
I think part of becoming Christlike on a daily level, means being real about your struggles, your issues, the learning curve. It means loving each other along the way---as we practice. If we have to be perfect (really it's just looking perfect) before we go to church, then how do we ever grow as individuals much less together as a community?
Here's to practicing together---I'm in!
I have read through Paul & Melanie's posts & I just wanted to say Thanks--- I rarely have time to respond to the BLOG, although I would love to! I do try reading weekly and am always refreshed & encouraged, and sometimes convicted & challenged :) Melanie---I'm so thankful to have had the chance to get to know you--- You are awesome! I also am glad to know that you're not looking for perfection. There are days I'll be doing good to be "half together!"
The main point that I take from the other 'pastor's perspective': I need to spend MORE time WITH Jesus. It isn't that the want to is not there ( I would absolutely love to have an hour a day to read, pray & JOURNAL... it is making the time a priority. [pray for me ;)]
--- N.N.
Well once again I think that the mentality has been that the walls of an establishment where people come to worship God is the "church." The people are the church, the temple where the Holy Spirit dwells and the establishment where the believers gather is where we recieve not only our instruction but our encouragement. Once instruction and encouragement given then we should take action daily like workers into the harvest fields.
This missional living can be difficult I believe this is why Jesus prayed for His Disciples because the world is hostile towards God. There is work to be done and it can't be done in one day(the church day) it has to be in our daily lives. The world is where Jesus' apprentices are to do their work, he prayed for unity and protection. Also Jesus unity between the Father and the Holy Spirit is a true picture of what the church should be, continually being one or we as commissioned Christians will result in failure attempts.
The mission and the sanctificaton of his followers was prayed by Jesus so that we would go and spread the gospel, the untiy of believers should have an effect on others as united believers serving them with humility...daily. Otherwise how can we demonstrate a proper concept of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit at work?
Anonymous, that was very good and very well put. Thanks.
wheatland mission, you're welcome! your questions have caused me to rethink and clear the spiritual fog that sometimes clouds my purpose. These provoking questions help me to get back on track and have encouraged me to express myself throught writing as I have more time to think about what I really want to say. I tend to get tied up when I have to say it verbally but has also enhanced my verbal skills after I taken to study it and then deliver it.:)
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