Some thought missional might be another fad – but, it is not proving to be!<\/p>\n
Yes, some terms pass their use-by-date. Emerging church was a great term – church from below, connected with the past and also the future! However, it was damaged from within and without – even negatively impacting the term emerging missional church. So we might be back to missional – and this could be a good thing! <\/p>\n
Missional does not prescribe forms and practices – nor is it enamoured with postmodernism (or post-postmodernism). Rather, it is a movement shaped by <\/p>\n
\u2022\tGod’s mission heart
\n\u2022\tChristians being missionaries in western cultures
\n\u2022\tGospel proclamation \u2013 an imperative in any missionary environment
\n\u2022\tScripture reading – through the eyes of urban missionaries
\n\u2022\tFaith communities (ecclesia or churches) engaging their cultures as contrast societies – called-out by God, witnessing to his values and reign
\n\u2022\tMissionary faithfulness – from a marginal position in the culture, rather than the historic, dominant position at the centre of society. (Hill 2008:254)<\/p>\n
It is shaped by three ‘overarching principles’ – Jesus shapes everything we are and do; we take church to people rather than expect them to come to us, and every believer is a minister! (Frost, Hirsch 2003:6-12)
\nThese principles define our church planting today – equipping, resources and news! This mission flows from the heart of God – who so loved the world he died for us. (John 3:16)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Some thought missional might be another fad – but, it is not proving to be! Yes, some terms pass their use-by-date. Emerging church was a great term – church from below, connected with the past and also the future! However, it was damaged from within and without – even negatively impacting the term emerging missional… Continue reading