To Be "Missional"

The following was gleaned from the Berean Missional Church located in St. Paul. I thought their concept of missions was good so I'll pass it along. I especially like their emphasis upon a "...call away from our personal interest and toward others."

The term "Missional" refers to a God-centered, holistic understanding of the Great Commission. This idea is also seen in Christ's charge to His disciples: ". . . As the Father has sent me, I also send you" (John 20:21b). The implications of the mission's mandate for us are derived directly from the Trinitarian nature of God - Jesus sends us just as the Father sent Him (John 20:21-22). This emphasis causes Missional church members to see the church corporately and each individual as the instrument to fulfill God's mission.

As an example, the "Missional" church will embrace an understanding of participating in the mission of God as a call for every individual Christian to leave their place of security, and to travel to the place where others are. Missions, then, is always in the direction of the other, and away from ourselves. Some may take the imperative "Go" (Matt. 28:19) as a call to go overseas. Others may see the full God-centered "Missional" implication in that it is a call to "Go" to those in their own societies and overseas. In any event, it is a call away from our personal interests and toward others. The leaders of Berean Missional Church understand that our purpose is not to rework programs, but to rediscover our mission as the body of Christ. In short, we must become "Missional."

From the BMC website located at : http://www.bemissional.org/index.html

posted by john d.

Self-Destruction and God's Love

My regular routine in the morning includes reviewing some blogsites that have articles encouraging and/or informative. Among the best is the Pyromaniacs blogsite. I am often stimulated by their thoughtful biblical analysis of today's culture - Christian and otherwise. One such article was posted recently which questioned the "mass marketing" false teachers who recite the mantra of "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life" which may not be the truth.

I've noted that speaking the truth in love is not always easy nor is it willingly received as it is often perceived as harse or unkind when it in reality is the ultimate kindness. (I know, I know, there is a way we can intend to speak the truth in love when we are really expressing a harsh opinion...but I'm speaking here of having a true concern for the soul of recipient.)

Anyway, I've linked to a recent post by Dan Phillips regarding God "accepting you just as you are". Mr. Phillips proposes perhaps God is NOT accepting you as you are but is instead judging you just as you are.

Here is a small quotation from the article:

"These men (and women) take on the mantel of authority, stand in the pulpit, and tell every last one of their hearers unconditionally and without qualification that God loves them, accepts them just as they are, approves of their hopes and dreams and aspirations, and wants nothing more than He wants for them to be happy and fulfill their desires. ..... In fact — I have to say it; truth and love for God and you constrains me — He may well not accept you, just as you are, right now."


Read the whole article HERE.

Then let me know what you think.

posted by john d.