What does it mean to be Missional ?

The term missional is an adjective that describes the fact that a church totally aligns itself with the missio Dei ( the mission of God). Christ Jesus prayed to the Father, “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world,” (John 17.18). This truth reveals that the church is to be missional, on mission, acting as “sent ones” in this world. The church is formed to continue the mission that began in the heart of the Father, was seen in the life of the Son, and is to continue in the Spirit empowered endeavors of the church. The basic premise of the missional church is that “missions” is not an organization or program of a church. Missions constitute the very essence or nature of the church.

This blog will be dedicated to leading all of us who engage in this conversation to find ways to be missional in New Orleans or where God has placed us. I will publish suggestions for missional activites on a regular basis as well as food for thought that is designed to make us become missional. It is my hope that my thoughts and suggestions will serve as a motivation for all of us to be about
missio Dei .


Monday, March 9, 2009

Missional Suggestion #8

Practice Ministry
SUPER-SERVICE
"After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? Simply ministers through whom you became believers, each of them doing only what the Lord assigned him." —1 Corinthians 3:5
Any kind of Christian worship or work is ministry, but there is a special gift of ministry . This is the same word used for the deacons who waited on tables for the early church. The gift of ministry is serving people in very practical ways by supernatural power. Paul called "ministry" collecting money which he delivered to the starving believers in Jerusalem .
We all need practical help in living each day; therefore, we need ministry. Without it, we have faith without works, which is dead . Without ministry, Christian community is impossible and everyday life becomes unbearable. Ministry applies God's love to the details of life. Jesus came to serve, not to be served, even giving up His life . We must follow in His footsteps by washing one another's feet and bearing one another's burdens. And thus we will fulfill the law of God.
This week's challenge is to find ways to do ministry. Your ministry may be prayer or to be an activist for somone less fortunate than yourself. Try to think of some little way you can serve.
Here are a few possibilities:
  • Do a chore for someone who is sick
  • Invite someone to have coffee with you
  • Write a note of encouragement
  • Pray for strangers

I hope you get the idea. Just take the time to give of yourself by serving others.

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