Being on mission, being sent into the world as salt, light and leaven is as old as scripture and foundational in the ministry and calling of Christ.  So why is missional the ‘in thing these days’? Books, seminars, webinars, podcast, websites, worship services, commissioning services, mission teams for every age group and family are everywhere and in most major denominations.  So what’s that about?

Outgrowing an Ingrown Church

    Unfortunately many established churches have become inward focused, more than outward focused. Many congregations place more priority on taking care of the membership than reaching the unchurched. In fact, many congregations call staff and pastor with the primary intention of that person taking care of their pastoral care needs and leading them in church services designed especially for the membership in mind. Then we put together church budgets where most of the funds are collected from the attending membership and then most of the money is spent on and by the membership with little regard for spending the money to reach and heal the hurts and heartaches of persons in their immediate community, muchless the state and world.  We like to help persons who look like us and think like us and basically willing to be like us.  However today’s world is increasingly pluralistic, and even secular rather than sacred in its values, traditions and belief systems.  It’s almost like the church people ‘huddle down’ in our safe sanctuaries and we keep those unlike us away from us.  Now is that the Great commission and Great Commandment?  No…but it is safe and sadly it is more the norm for many churches than not.  That is why missional is ‘in’ these days.  It’s a serious need and unless we make some serious shifts the church is only one generation away from becoming diminished – much like that of eastern Europe. 

Christianity is Shifting

    Christianity is shifting in the world from North America to South America.  We are told by missionologist that the shift is already happening.  Apathy is taking over in North America and revival is breaking out in South America and other third world countries.  Now what’s that about?
    I would encourage you to take time and explore, read and reflect on the shifts happening all around you and your church and begin to pray seriously about creating more ‘go structures’ than ‘come structures’ in your church and personal ministry. (I discuss these structures in more detail in my writings). Here are some additional web and print resources for the journey.  Happy reading…..

http://www.allelon.org/pdf/Mapschpt2.pdf - Missional Mapmaking : The Art of the Mission Shaping Church
http://www.allelon.org/training/ - Missional Training Resources by Allelon
 http://www.allelon.org/articles/article.cfm?id=498 – Video dialogue Brian McLaren

New Books for Your Library
Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing by Carol Howard Merritt – 2007. A powerful read for those church leaders seeking to minister to all generations. Inspiring, practical and encouraging us to build bridges to and among all generations as the church. ****
The Second Reformation: Reshaping the Church for the 21st Century by William A. Beckham. 1995
The Postmodern Life Cycle: Challenges for Church and Theology by Friedrich Schweitzer, 2008
Who Stole My Church: What to Do When Your Church Tries to Enter the 21st Century by Gordon McDonald, Thomas Nelson, 2008
Unbinding Your Heart : 40 Days of Prayer and Faith Sharing by Marthan Grace Reese, Chalice Press, 2008

Coaching Questions for use in your meetings:
1.    What are the ways you are being missional now?
2.    What shifts need to happen to align you more with the Great Commission?
3.    What are some ‘sending/go structures’ you can create now?

Training & Resources by Eddie Hammett
The Gathered and Scattered Church by Edward Hammett, www.transformingsolutions.org
NEW BOOK RELEASED November, 2007
Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60: Being Church for all Generations by Edward H. Hammett and James R. Pierce was published by Chalice Press www.amazon.com
A resource for church leaders and church members. The book is filled with practical and proven ideas for churches who desire to minister effectively to all generations without isolating or ignoring any age group. Released 2007.
©Eddie Hammett, www.ncbaptist.org and www.transformingsolutions.org