Mercy, justice, missional, incarnational,renewal, the social gospel…
These seem to be the buzzwords at this moment in time…
At the intersection of faith and social injustice.
We are excited!
We are inspired!
We are confused.
The Rise of the Missional Church
Over the last few years there has been an awakening of what it means to be a Christian, to follow Jesus, to be the Church…
Many refer to this awakening as the rise of the missional church.
In very recent history you may have only been able to find a handful of churches that would describe themselves as “missional”.
Today there are missional churches, missional communities (and Gospel-Centered Families of Servant Missionary Disciples) popping up everywhere.
But what is missional?
“Missional” is a way of living, not an affiliation or an activity.
- Reggie McNeal
Missional is redefining what we formerly knew as “church”.
Missional reminds us the church is not a building, a service
featuring 4 songs and a sermon, a creepy sub culture, or a country club.
Missional is teaching us that the church is you and me:
*everyday and ordinary people
*who are putting their faith in Jesus
*who are rescued by his grace
*who are following him together
*who are sent to our neighborhoods, workplaces, and cities on his mission
I have this theory that “missional” used to be called things like
“Christianity” or “following Jesus”, but since those words have lost
their saltiness a new word was formed (an idea I wrote about HERE)
The rise of social awareness and action
In 2012 we are more aware of social injustice than ever.
From Kony, to racism, to human trafficking, the water crisis, and
even the organic food revolution: we are more aware than ever that the
world is broken.
We long to see things made right.
We want to change the world.
Some of us travel to 3rd world countries, some of us adopt
orphans, some of us buy Toms, some of us serve with local non profits,
some of us tweet about all of the above.
In 2012 philanthropy and social justice initiatives have invaded our
Twitter feeds, Face Book timelines, and have helped us decide which
shoes to wear.
The rise of the Missional Church has met the rise of social awareness and action…
We are excited!
We are inspired!
And we are confused.
Should we be telling our neighbors and co-workers about Jesus?
Should we join the fight to end human trafficking?
Which is more important?
Why in the world would I want to do either?
In this series of posts I want to explore this confusion.
Although it is not guaranteed…
I would love for us to get some clarity as to why we find ourselves
in a generation of people who want to change the world…yet we still
can’t change ourselves.
To be continued….
Nate Navarro (guest blogger)
Pastor of Missional Community at Austin City Life
Founder/Director at Music For The City
