On becoming missional…

It is probably inevitable that leaders who are following Jesus and encouraging others to do the same would eventually start thinking and talking about becoming missional. I mean, after all, Jesus is/was the ultimate master of the missional.

At the beginning of the classic movie, The Blues Brothers, Belushi and Ackroyd have an epiphany in a church where they receive a “mission from God.” Music ensues, cartwheels abound, and the brothers are off on a “Mission from God.” It would be easier for those of us who are following Jesus in today’s culture if we could have a similar experience. There’s nothing like an angelic visitation or perpetually combusting shrubbery to cause one to become focused on what God wants us to do.

The “m” word now has pretty successfully replaced the “e” word. Instead of talking about evangelism and discipleship being the two wings on the airplane of church, if they are not in balance then the journey cannot be successfully completed, the analogy for 2010 is the bicycle. One wheel is missional and the other is incarnational. We must “be” and “do,” without colonial impulse, but with the right “posture.”

Years ago I was involved in a kind of ad hoc ministry to skateboarders. The few of us were ministering to the needs of the many skateboarders. I wish now that I knew then what I “know” now. I fantasize that we could have altered our methods to have more lasting fruit. But we didn’t have time to think about such things.

In February I am attending Verge, a missional conference, in Austin, Texas from February 4-7, 2010. I hope to be inspired. I hope to be encouraged, I hope to meet some great new “co-missional” friends. I hope to see some of you there!