The Missional Journey: MissionalSuggestion #9

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 .

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

MissionalSuggestion #9

Practice Being Non-Mean

Martin Marty once said that you can divide religious people into two groups. Not the liberal and conservative, not the Catholics and the Protestants, but the mean and the non-mean. That hurts, but it is also true. This seems to ring so true in our world today but if we are to be a missional people we must practice at being non-mean. Non-mean people know what they believe and practice the red letters (words of Jesus)of the bible. The real question is what does that look like? NON-MEAN PEOPLE

Love and respect people who disagree with them.
Give without qualification.
Never expect payback.
Know that they are sinners.
Say hello first.
Forgive the unforgivable.

That's a bit of a tough list but it is a good beginning. We as missional people must be kind and likable so that we have opportunities to be the salt and light of the world. After all if we don't help-WHO WILL ?

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What are Icons ?

In Eastern Christian heritage, icons are sacred images of Christ, Mary, and the saints, or of events in salvation history such as the Nativity or the Crucifixion. The very word “icon” comes from the Greek word for “image.”

To people unfamiliar with icons, including many Western Christians, icons may initially seem weird, unappealing, or even disturbing. They don’t look quite “right.” Their silence and stillness is demanding, untame, and even terrifying. But with education and experience, people grow to appreciate and love them.

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