The Church can only become missional when it sends it’s people out to engage the world and must be modeled by those who lead it. Pastors, church planters, elders, board members, ministry directors who do not engage their culture should not be pastors, church planters, elders, board members, or ministry directors. Modeling a New Testament heart for people shouldn’t be that big of a challenge if you are sold out to Jesus. Honestly, it is not that hard and it should be a part of everyday life and not an event that you plan. The missional Church submerges itself into the culture it is reaching. Think about Jesus. He didn’t construct a building or start a service. Rather he walked among the poor and hurt and lost. The missional Church understands that it is primarily a missional community of people being trained and equipped to live among the world as missionaries. The missional church can use any building and location to gather the Church. It doesn’t see the building as the Church; it sees the people of God as the Church. I believe that we as individual believers and the local church must get outside of the walls of the local church to meet the needs of the poor, the wounded, and the broken hearted. It has been suggested that churches forego a “worship service” every once in a while and go out into the community and be of service to those we encounter. That could be done with “no strings attached” servant evangelism, food distribution, serving the poor, the homeless or any number of ideas that best fit the culture where you are and leave an imprint of Christ there. I believe that this is the vision for the Church that Jesus has for us today.

Not a bad idea… leaving an imprint on your landscape.

What are your thoughts on being missional and the benefits or struggles with being a missional church?