Missional Communities...

Brian D. Russell at realmealministries.org invariably has something worth reading as he draws out missional themes from the Old Testament. He has been putting some thoughts as to what constitutes a Missional Community which you can read here.
  • Missional communities stop worrying about being corrupted by the world and instead dream about ways to influence the world.
  • Missional communities focus on the needs of the world rather than on the likes/dislikes of insiders.
  • Missional communities speak human rather than communicate in shibboleths and other insider jargon.
  • Missional communities unleash all of God’s people to deploy their gifts, talents, and passions for God mission.
  • Missional communities are communities of transformation. God is in the business of transforming lives and igniting persons to live the lives of God’s dreams.
  • Missional communities stop worrying about the transitions in their neighborhoods and instead give thanks for all of the new people that God is sending their way.
  • Missional communities are more concerned with their current irrelevancy than with the risks involved with interacting directly with contemporary culture.
  • Missional communities are led by the Spirit to create culture rather than to stagnate in some past (real or imagined) or to capitulate to the world’s culture.
  • Missional communities are less safe havens from the world and more staging areas for launching world changing initiatives.
  • Missional communities are not defensive with the wider culture “attacks” or challenges the faith. Rather they use these opportunities as moments of traction to demonstrate reality of the Gospel.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hmmm, now that poses a challenge for me personally as I move back to the UK to take up leadership of a corps. Of particular importance amongst those are the first, eighth and ninth. Get those right and much fo the rest would slot into place I suspect.

Thanks for highlighting these Gordon and also for reminding me about Brian's blog. Used to read it all the time but I missed transferring it when I moved to Google Reader.
7:12 PM
youthwork southwest said…
Interestingly the Diocese I work for has chosen 'Mission Communities' as the key strategic development for itself. Basically, parishes will be encouraged to partner with other parishes to be much more missonal in intention...
4:55 PM
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