Missional? Social Justice? I’m Confused. (Part 2)

When I say “missional” you think __________. Let me take 3 guesses:

1 When you hear “missional” you think of a new kind of church, or a new model of church planting. Let’s rule this one out right away, because as I talked about HERE “missional” is just a fairly new word that describes something very old.

2 When you hear “missional” you think about how you are sent to share the good news of Jesus with your friends, neighbors, and co-workers. You want them to know the good news that Jesus saves! Some would call this evangelism, or sharing the Gospel, or making disciples.

If this is where you land, I bet you are taking the great commission seriously. (Mathew 28:19-20)

3 When you hear the word “missional” you think about feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, joining the fight to end human trafficking, adopting an orphan, building a water well in Africa, or doing more for the homeless community in your city. Some would call this social justice, social action, or the social gospel.

If this is where you land, I bet you are taking the command to love your neighbor seriously.  (Luke 10:25-37)

But which is more important? Which is a priority? Just what should we be spending our lives doing?

I am going to propose that the answer to this question is simpler than you think.

I am going to propose that where you put your faith will determine what “missional” means to you.

I know….I can hear you saying “that is easy Nate, my faith is in Jesus.”

Which makes me want to ask you another question…“Jesus who?”

To Be Continued…

Nate Navarro (guest blogger)

Pastor of Missional Community at Austin City Life

Founder/Director at Music For The City


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