This weeks post is not so much about the sermon as it is about a conversation held at the quarterly leadership meeting held at the Cordova last night. If you've been listening closely to my sermons, you have most likely picked up on a theme flowing throughout each message - and that theme is the theme of the mission of Christ and our calling to continue it.
Wikipedia offers a very clear and concise definition of Christ's mission and our calling to that mission. (If you missed it, just click on the colored wikipedia and it will take you directly to that page.)
After you've read that I'd like to discuss how we as Pullman Foursquare, at the Cordova Theater, near Washington State University, in Pullman Washington - can be on mission for God. I'd like you think of the specific area that you serve in, and answer the question: How can we the (Children's team, Youth Staff, Worship Team etc) shape our ministry to accomplish the mission of Christ on earth? What would it look like if every ministry in the church was working toward bringing the kingdom of God to earth? What creative ideas arise and what practical steps can we take to get there?
Comment away! - Jamie
hi Jamie! for me being missional is a mindset and there is very little separation between ministry and the rest of life. I think it means having the heart Jesus had ("I desire mercy, not sacrifice"), and responding to the different situations around you in the way that he would, whether that means reaching out to a non-believing neighbor, noticing someone at church that is struggling and asking a question, how you respond to your kids and their friends. For me it means having a heart to look outward and reach out out in general and that is very challenging when we are tired and just want to focus on ourselves, but Jesus constantly challenges our "priorities" and re-orients us so we can be looking outward like him. That sounds a bit individualistic, I suppose at it applies to "church proper", staff and leaders would be really looking outward as they plan programs and services, looking to the needs around them and seeking to meet them verses just creating a culture or club that is familiar and comfortable for believers.
ReplyDeletehmm need to edit that for a few misspellings but don't know how!
ReplyDeleteHi all,
ReplyDeleteFor me missional is a lifestyle result of focusing on keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus, learning to hear and be led by His Holy Spirit and then walking in obedience to that leading. Every new thing He requests of me is always impossible from my perspective and requires that I firmly stand on His truths rather than my experience, thoughts, or current circumstances until His truth transforms the request He has made of me into a reality of my life. At first I am usually unable to firmly stand on anything regarding His requests so I must pursue transparency and honesty in the process of change by confessing my sins, struggles, fumbles, and victories to my sisters in Christ so I may be healed. This results in a continual experiential reliance upon God for His mercy, grace, wisdom, and empowerment. And here is where missional fits into my world. When I allow God to lead me into a place where I am actively dependent upon Him for these manifestations of His love for me then and only then do I become a living permeable conduit that He can pass His true life onto others through. Learning and practicing this perspective with others at the Moscow Celebrate Recovery group over the last 4 years has freed me from the bondage of judging, fixing, and condemnation while allowing me to experience how life can be in a community of grace. So of course I would like everyone I meet to learn the principles that have allowed me to walk in these freedoms and that to me is a missional result of focusing on keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus.