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 .

Friday, February 20, 2009

Missional Suggestion #6

Practice Hospitality
Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:9-10 Monastic hospitality is the model for us today. The monastic way of hospitality holds the key to the future of the church, at least here in the United States. Monastic hospitality requires that the Monastery doors be open to all Christians who present themselves to the porter at the gate. Churches and Christians need to realize this kind of hospitality may require changes of attitude, and even lifestyles, so that the church can be a more vital place ministering to others in the twenty first century.

Our challenge is to finds ways that we can practice hospitalty in our everyday lives. When the "open door" becomes a way of life for us God will bring blessings to our lives. We can all practice hospitality in simple ways. Here are a few.

  • Throw a party and invite someone new.
  • Greet strangers as Jesus did.
  • Invite someone to your home for a meal.
  • Host mission volunteers.
  • Prepare someone's favorite food for them.
  • Turn the TV off and log off the computor when a guest arrives.
  • Simply welcome unexpected guests.
  • Make your guest feel like you are interested in them.

Dictionary.com defines hospitality as "the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers." I think the keyword here is "friendly" because we can receive people and show no feelings at all.

We can receive them coldly, or make it obvious that we're put out.I think in our American culture many of us have forgotten what it means to be hospitable. Sure we all put on a good face when we have people over on our terms (like for a dinner party), but what about being hospitable when it is an inconvenience for us? I think about when people stop by our home and we're watching TV. I can think of at least one incident where the guests though they were "interrupting." Shame on me.

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