Having Alan Hirsch with us over the past week and a half has been a good reminder to me that we in NieuCommunities are all about MISSIONAL CHRISTIANITY. Yes, we have affinity for the emerging church and its understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Yet, it is just one way of following Jesus.
Missional
Christianity, on the other hand, is a non-negotiable way of living the
Christian life. Though many in the Church never get it, it is certainly
the type of following Jesus that he called us to. My friend Sean Callaghan defines missional as “outward focused.†That’s good, simple. But not descriptive enough for most.
So, my thoughts on
the missional Christian life (in bullet points). I would love your
feedback. AND, would love to hear if this is the type of life you
desire too…
- It is intentional – it doesn’t just wait for life to happen. It means deciding to be and do what God wants, striving for it, reaching for it, going for it. And I don’t mean some sort of “dream it and achieve it†philosophy. This is about discovering GOD’S plan and pursuing that.
- It doesn’t wait for tomorrow – take opportunities as they present themselves now. Creates opportunities. The most missional people I know take action, whether it is small or large, whenever they can.
- Dreams big, lives small – Have big God visions, but live it out in the little things. Doesn’t neglect people and relationships for the sake of “the big plan.†We want to see God’s Kingdom come (big), yet work at changing one life at a time (small).
- Is sacrificial – What are we willing to give up for the sake of the Kingdom? Comforts, prestige, security all pale in comparison to God’s story. Nothing gets in the way or distracts from following Jesus.
- Dislikes and refuses to be governed by the traditional categories. Ex. – makes no distinction between sacred and secular – every moment is the possibility of a God-moment. And, doesn’t pre-judge people, moments, or places as holy or not. Doesn’t look at people as Christian or non-Christian to determine how we treat them. Caution: don’t just make NEW categories.
- Is done with others – God calls us to be part of His people. We can’t do this alone. Seems like there are always others (of all types) around. Missional Christians create, encourage, and thrive in their community/relationships.
- Exists in and among culture – we don’t ask people to come to us for God. We go to them. Incarnation is the key to the Gospel (look at Jesus if you don’t believe me). People don’t see God in us if we aren’t around them. Living amongst gives us credibility to those we want to reach. Outward focus.
- Listens well and often, more than speaking. Takes things in, studies, learns, and responds in love. If we are to be outward focused, we have to let others speak.
- Holds tightly to values, holds loosely to practices – we claim the faith of generations, but know that HOW we live this life and help people know Jesus changes by time and place. Why do we get so hung up on how to do things?
- Has space/margin for people and moments – room for interactions, opportunities to love. Life is full, but no so busy that the important things get left behind.
- Focused on God’s Kingdom
- Believes it to be true – this isn’t just some great idea. It’s true and meant to change the world. This isn’t Sunday morning warm fuzzies. This is radical.
- Not territorial – it’s not about growing my church, program, etc. It’s about God and what He wants to do.
This is the life-changing faith that Christianity is all about.
