The meaning of "missional"

[Gailyn Van Rheenen]

I appreciate James Nored beginning this internet forum to create discussion and connecton about missional outreach. One of our initial questions is "What do we mean by the word "missional"? Words set the parameters of meaning. When we discuss "missional" renewal of local churches or "missional" church planting, what do we mean?

[Joe Palmer]

James,

Jesus healed but the purpose of his healing was more out of a need to establish his authenticity as to cure disease. Jesus also said, "The poor you have always." I think a better text that I don't think you quoted was the judgment scene which depicts that we are to be judged on our helping others. I am not opposed to a church doing, being benevolent, building benevolent ministries but I am opposed to a church thinking that feeding the poor is a substitute for preaching the gospel. You probably know that the social gospel philosophy.

Jesus was accused of having a demon and many other things but those were false accusations. I don't have to drink, or go to strip clubs to witness for Christ. In fact if I do I don't witness for him. I simply water down my reputation. The world knows that alcohol is not the answer. Sadly many in the church support it.

I have alcoholic friends that I minister too. I sat with one today while he downed three beers. We talked. He knows where I stand and is considering my plea to help him get help. I have earned his trust for the past two years and he has sent us two others who obeyed the gospel. He too is a believer but he struggles with alcohol. I say this to say that you can win respect of people, love and not act condemning (I prefer this word to judging) and still abstain from their worldly activity.

Jesus did go where the world is. I get that part of the missional plea. I can understand it. I need to find more ways to do it. Right now I am reaching out to our young adults by inviting them to my house every couple weeks for a devotional or game night. They bring some friends.

What about the question. Is missional Christian not redundant?

James Nored said:

Joe, no, missional is not a liberal/conservative term. It is a theological term.

While I would not make "social justice" the extent of the gospel, the idea of helping those who are in need is found throughout the New Testament. The "social gospel" and "individual gospel" cannot be separated. Check out the following passages:


Luke 9:6 6 So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Lk 9:6

Matthew 4:23
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 4:23

Matthew 9:35
 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 9:35

Matthew 14:14
14When Jesus came ashore, he saw a large crowd. He felt deep concern for them. He healed their sick people.
New International Reader's Version. 1st ed. Zondervan, 1998, S. Mt 14:14

Matthew 15:32
32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, I I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 15:32

John 3:11-14
11 John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.”
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Lk 3:11

Galatians 2:9,10
9 James, Peter c and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

What do you think of these passages? Also, as to going to a bar and drinking, was this not what Jesus was criticized for?

34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Lk 7:34

What do you think of this passage and model of Jesus?

[James Nored]

Here is an article from Bill Kinnon entitled What is Missional? or A Little More Missional Shampoo. Kinnon pokes fun at the misuse of the word missional by many today. He also gives some good resources on the true meaning of the word/concept.

What do you think of Kinnon's article?