The Meaning of Missional
Over at Missional Church Network Brad Brisco has a great post highlighting what it means practically to be a “missional church” in our ever changing North American Context. The main thrust of Brad’s post centers around three theological distinctions followed by five practical reflections.
The theological distinctions are as follows:
1. The Missional Church is about the missionary nature of God and His church
2. The Missional Church is about the Church being incarnational rather than attractional.
3. The Missional Church is about actively participating in the Mission of God
A few highlights
The Missional Church recognizes the purpose of the church is derived from the very nature of God which in turn compels it to be sent as a missionary people, individually and collectively.
Missional churches see their primary function as one of actively moving into a community to embody and enflesh the word, deed and life of Jesus into every nook and cranny.
As the sent, missionary people of God, the missional church understands its fundamental purpose as being rooted in God’s mission to restore and heal creation and to call people into a reconciled relationship with Himself. It is God’s mission, or missio Dei, that calls the church into existence. Or in the words of South African missiologist David Bosch; “It is not the church which undertakes mission; it is the missio Dei which constitutes the church.”
Go and read the whole thing and follow some of the links for great conversation. This has everything to do with what we are trying to accomplish at De Soto Community Church, being a church actively involved in the mission of God transforming our neighborhood and the world