Padawan Pastor

Missional-Movement, Model, or Mindset?

What is a “missional” church? Some say that it is redundant…like saying “feline cat” or “canine dog.” Some say it is a model (I disagree). Some say it is a movement (I hope so). I say it is a mindset.

Missional is not a model like “purpose-driven,” “traditional,” “seeker sensitive,” or “emerging.” Any model can be missional, if they have the right mindset.

Church growth is not a priority for a missional church. Missional churches focus on the community and connectivity that occurs best in smaller gatherings. An emphasis is placed on reproducing churches rather that growing our church. Success is not gauged by the crowd on Sunday, but by the multiplication of disciples and churches.

Missional churches are not consumer-oriented. Some established churches have become vendors of religious goods and services, placing an emphasis on meeting the needs of church shoppers; attracting a crowd. Missional churches see themselves as an equipping and sending center, placing emphasis on preparing missionaries to engage culture.

Missional churches are actively participating in the Missio Dei – the Mission of God. The participation is not merely giving money to foreign missionaries and sending teams on mission trips (although that is included). Rather, members of missional churches are living out the Missio Dei in their own zip code and beyond. It is a mindset, an identity; they see themselves as missionaries.

In missional churches, we do not see ourselves as telemarketers making sales pitches to advance our church attendance goals. Rather, we see ourselves as salt, light, and leaven penetrating our culture, incarnating the gospel in our context.

Missional churches do not see the Missio Dei as an event or program (like weekly visitation or annual carnivals).  In contrast, we see the Missio Dei as all of life, wherever we find ourselves. As the Great Commission states, “as we go” through life we are always on mission. We don’t compartmentalize mission to an event or activity. Mission is life.

Missional is a mindset; an identity; a way of living. Any church can be missional.

BUILDINGS

Now that the faith community that I pastor has been without our own facility for 3 months now, it's given me an opportunity to evaluate the role of buildings and real estate in Western churches.  If we ever do have our own space again, I imagine it will either be in partnership with another business/organization, or it will be a neutral space (not a "church") that meets needs, blesses people, or creates a relational environment within our community.  We certainly will not have a designated "religious building" that sits there all week except for a few hours of meetings for church members.

Just this week I received a mailer of a local church advertising the grand opening of their new multi-million dollar facility (complete with a coffee shop, bookstore, massive auditorium, and their own nascar race track - just kidding about the last one).  On the front of the mailer is a picture of the pastor with the words, "Don't have a church home.  We built one for you."

What would happen in a community if the churches decided to raise money for community transformation (to meet the needs of the unreached) instead of accumulating real estate (to meet the needs of the already reached)?

It is time that we focus on the fields, not the barns.  We spend so much time (and $) building nice barns with padded seats, air-conditioning, and the newest technology, yet we have neglected the fields.

What do you call a farmer who builds a barn and then stands in the doorway inviting all of the crops to come in and enjoy the new comfortable structure?  Lazy?  Foolish?

What do you call a farmer who gets his hands dirty in the soil of lost people's lives, cultivating, planting, fertilizing, watering, sweating, praying?  Wise?  Fruitful?

Buildings are not wrong or immoral.  If your church has a building, fine.  The problem is when we function as if the church building is our life source, as though the church's life depends on them.  I know of many churches who died a long time ago and the Spirit has departed, but the building sustains them, serving as an artificial life support.  "As long as we have this building, we're still a church."  They usually don't consider the church completely dead until they can't pay the bills to sustain the building.  As goes the building, so goes the "church."

God dwells inside of us!  We are His temple!

Truth be told, the world is not very impressed with our sacred buildings.  In fact, many other religions have much nicer, more expensive, awe-inspiring temples.

Let the world see something that cannot be reproduced by business, buildings, or any other world religion:  a new life in Jesus!  A transformed life, now that's a "temple" that can change the world!

AGENDA

I know that it's popular right now to focus on missional living and relational evangelism.  I certainly have jumped on the bandwagon, and without regret.  However, there is something about the movement that leaves me a little restless.  How are we supposed to build relationships with those outside of the church with "no strings attached" - that is, no agenda?

I find it almost impossible not to have an agenda.  Maybe it's OK to have an agenda.

Truth be told, when I meet someone I immediately long for their salvation.  I find myself trying to find common ground and build rapport.  I desire to earn trust and respect.  I pray for them to know Jesus.  I have an agenda and it's pretty hard to hide.  I want them to go to heaven and skip hell.  I want them to know the joy of knowing Jesus.

Did Jesus have an agenda?  He said that He came to "seek and save those who are lost."  He came to bring salvation to the Jews.

Did Paul have an agenda?  He said that he tried to find common ground with all men in order to save some (1 Cor 9).  His mission was to bring salvation to the Gentiles.

I'm not saying that I want to be an obnoxious, peddling, telemarketer for Jesus.  But the only way I can think of not having an agenda is to try and quit caring about people's souls.  Am I missing something?

We Don't Need Any More Chuches - Part 3

Church planting is not a positive term for many people.  It connotes pain and loss and risk.  It is often thought of as "divorce" rather than "reproduction."  It sounds like dividing instead of multiplying. 

Reproduction is not hard.  It is natural.  In fact, it's even pleasurable!  If you have children, you already know how to reproduce.  Every living thing has the impulse to reproduce...if it's healthy.

Reproduction (whether in marriage or in churches) is the product of intimacy.  Namely, church reproduction is the result of intimacy with Christ, His mission, His family, and the lost world.

We Don't Need Any More Churches - Part 2

American "churchianity" is in serious trouble for two main reasons.  First, most of our churches are on life support and are just a few more funerals away from closing the doors to their facilities.  Second, only 4% of churches will plant a daughter church.  That means that 96% of our churches are sterile.  Even worse, many of the 4% that do give birth do so with an "unwanted pregnancy," which we call a church split.

Still, we have people saying, "We don't need more churches; we just need to improve the ones we have."  Can you imagine making that kind of statement about our own species?  "We don't need any more people; we just need to improve the ones that we have."  This is short-term thinking that is selfishly sacrificing the future for the interests of the present.

We are only one generation from extinction if we don't have babies.  This is undeniable.

If tomorrow headlines declared that 96% of American women are no longer fertile and could not have babies, we would know two things.  First, this is not natural, so something is wrong with our health.  Second, our future is in serious jeopardy.

That is the condition of the church in American right now.  It is that serious!

Store Wars

Eating organic has never been so fun.

STORE WARS

Driving Darth Vader

Hayden Christianson, the actor who played Anakin Skywalker in the two most recent Star Wars films, got a ride from a tow truck driver when his ferrari died.  The driver had a chance to share the gospel with Hayden, who believes we "all come from monkeys."

We Don't Need Any More Churches" - Part 1

"We don't need any more churches."  I actually heard a well-known, Houston-area, megachurch pastor say that recently.  He went on to say that we have plenty of churches already.  We need to focus on revitalizing our existing churches instead of starting new ones.

I have a few problems with that way of thinking.

What about all of the unreached people groups ("tribes") that are in our own backyard.  The overall U.S. population is growing by 6%, but the Asian population is growing by 107%, Hispanic population by 53%, and Native American population by 38%.  Twenty-five of the largest U.S. cities are now majority ethnics:  ethnics make up 53% of Houston, 61% of Chicago, 73% of New York, and 78% of Los Angeles.  There are more Filipinos in Los Angeles that in any city in the world.  There are now more Cubans in Miami than in Havana.

What about population segments (people that are connected by experience or affinity)?  Population segments can include 2nd generation Asians, factory workers, former addicts in recovery, divorced mothers of preschoolers, cowboys, skate boarders, bikers, etc.  Most of these "tribal" communities are virtually untouched by existing churches.  When we do invite them to our churches, we are inviting them to a subculture that they don't match.  Why should someone have to cross cultures to come to church or to Christ?

What about cultural environments (based on geography)?  Places like college campuses, apartment complexes (which is home for over 60% of Americans), nursing homes, prisons, factories, office complexes, etc.  How are existing churches tapping into these spaces?

Our existing churches (which are largely Anglo, middle-class, builder-generation subcultures) are not and more than likely will not reach these people groups, population segments, and cultural environments.  Every culture needs the gospel communicated and embodied within their culture.

We need all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people.

Change - Part 5

According to Quinn, the fourth strategy for effecting change is transcendence.  This strategy is the least accessible, but most important for deep change.  It is the fact that for change to happen in a system, I myself must change - I must become the change that I want to see in my world.

In this strategy of change, we are no longer preserving control while explaining the need for change (telling).  We are no longer trying to get our world to externally align to our preferences while feigning flexibility (participating).  We are no longer trying to force others to compliance with our vision (force). 

Quinn suggests that if a community or human system is having difficulties, the way to transform is to begin by transforming yourself, and then inviting others to join you in the journey.

What do you think of Quinn's 4 strategies?

Change - Part 4

This is a series of posts on change.  Many of us have things that we want to change - our weight, our church, our culture, our family, our job environment, our denomination, etc.  These posts will stem from a review of Building the Bridge as You Walk on It by Robert Quinn.

The central purpose of anyone within a human system is to gain status and resources while avoiding pain and rejection.  When reality suggests that we need to move into the unknown, we resist.  We become self-deceptive.  We say change is needed, but we want to avoid the risk of losing what we have, so we try to "manage" change in ways we do not find threatening.

We typically employ three strategies of managing change.

1.  Telling - making logical arguments for change.  This strategy assumes that people are guided by reason.  Any resistance to change can only be the product of ignorance.  To counter their resistance, we feel we must simply educate them to the truth and their resistance will dissolve.  But it's never that simply, as most of us know.  When people continue to resist, we often turn to the second strategy.

2.  Forcing - using forms of leveraging to threaten or ostracize.  Usually some form of political or financial power is exerted.  The Forcing strategy usually evokes anger, resistance, and damage to the relationships. 

3.  Participating - using open dialogue and pursuing win-win strategies.  The change agent welcomes the input of others, who are seen as equals in the change process.  Many advocate this strategy, few actually use it as intended.  Instead, the change agent determines a solution and then asks a group to join in a discussion.  Any answer that they come up with is acceptable - as long as it is the "right" one.  Because this is so often perceived as manipulation, people become deeply cynical and it undermines the process. 

Next time we will explore the fourth strategy that is rarely used yet is necessary for deep change.

Change - Part 3

This is a series of posts on change.  Many of us have things that we want to change - our weight, our church, our culture, our family, our job environment, our denomination, etc.  These posts will stem from a review of Building the Bridge as You Walk on It by Robert Quinn.

It is common in times of transition to have some strong resistors.  Most are capable of turning around.  Some are not and they never will change.  Often times the resistors are competent people who play a powerful role.  Such people seldom speak up and express their opposition to you directly.  Instead, they consciously or unconsciously sabatoge the change process.

A change leader needs to develop a team that moves with one mind.  They share a vision of what could be and should be for the future.  However, that team is often not within the upper echelon of the organization (they are not the formal higher up's).  It is a grass-roots movement.  It is often a network of converts that cuts across formal boundaries.  Over time the message/vision spreads to more and more people.  Eventually there is critical mass.

A change agent must have a critical mass that is willing to look at challenges in a new way and work on new solutions.  This is how social movements work.  We never convert everyone.  We do not need to.  To move the organization where it needs to go, we need only the critical mass.

Reaching a critical mass has marvelous impact.  A "new energy" is present.  With this new energy, the group also seems to have new perspective and new capacity.  What previously seemed impossible now seems obtainable.

Next time we will talk about three general strategies for effecting change that we often use but rarely work.  Then we will talk about a fourth strategy that is most effective.

Change - Part 2

This is a series of posts on change.  Many of us have things that we want to change - our weight, our church, our culture, our family, our job environment, our denomination, etc.  These posts will stem from a review of Building the Bridge as You Walk on It by Robert Quinn.

Going through transition is lonely.  It is very important to have support.  Many people are hesitant to look for mentors, coaches, and supporters.  It is critical that we do.

Part of the problem is conceit.  Many leaders have navigated change successfully in the past.  They enter into a new transition, only to be stymied.  Every organization/situation is unique.  What worked before will not necessarily work again.  Our success from the past becomes our engine for failure this time around. 

To be a change agent, you need a partner, a "Barnabas."  Don't craft change without him!

Next time we will talk about how one person can move an entire system, and one contrary person can negate the entire change process.

My Lame Lent

I have never observed Lent before - you could say I'm liturgically challenged. Growing up as a baptist boy, I thought lent was the fluffy stuff in the dryer filter or in my navel. In Junior High, I learned that lent was when my girlfriend gave up chocolate. Now that I've committed to observe the Christian Calendar for the first time, I'm learning that Lent is about preparing for Easter for 40 days by either giving something up or adding something new to your life. Guess what I'm giving up - sex!

No, it's not by choice. Frankly, I'd rather give up something else like vegetables or caffeine or even Blue Bell (the ultimate sacrifice), but God has decided for me in His providence that I would give up sex for my first Lent.

Why? For those of you who haven't had kids yet, let me explain. When a woman gives birth, she has to go through a 6-week time of recovery in which her doctor instructs her not to have sex. Enough said.

I know that those of you who are single are basically saying, "Welcome to my world, crybaby! Your petty little 40 day Lent is my day to day life!"

I know that those of you who are mothers are probably saying, "What you go through for 6 weeks is nothing compared to what we go through for 9 months!" And I'm sure you're right.

Call me weak, wimpy, whatever. It's still a sacrifice whether single or married.

What am I adding to my life? Reading. I've got a mountain of books on spirituality and Jesus that I've been wanting to devour. So my Lenten goal is to read at least one book/week - 6 books.

What are you adding/subtracting from your life for Lent? Why are you doing it?

I know I have much more to learn about Lent, but I think the point is self-examination, not self- punishment. I deny myself from one desire while I ask God to increase my desire for Him. I give up something that nourishes my body so that I can add something that nourishes my soul.

Change - Part 1

   

Today I will start a series of posts on change.  Many of us have things that we want to change - our weight, our church, our culture, our family, our job environment, our denomination, etc.  These posts will stem from a review of Building the Bridge as You Walk on It by Robert Quinn.

    In order for us to be a change agent, we ourselves must embody the change.  In order for us to experience change externally, we must experience it internally.  Quinn recommends that we begin to tell honest stories about ourselves - even (or I might add especially) the chapters of our stories that we tend to hide.  We hinder change when we abide by this simple, protective principle:  that which you think is unique about yourself you hide. We are only willing to share our common self, our superficial self with others.
    When we begin to open our locked doors, it becomes easier to open them again and again.  When we tell our honest, transparent stories we begin to attract others to open their locked doors.  An "honesty virus" begins to spread.  This process is foundational to crafting change.
    Next time we will talk about the loneliness of change and the importance of mentors.

McBaby

We welcomed Ella Grace McClung into our world on Monday, February 20.  She was born at 3:30 PM weighing 7 lbs. 4 oz. and 19.5 inches in length (guys, do you ever feel like you're describing the stats of a bass instead of a baby?).

Great Posts

Sorry I've been silent for a while.  Been crazy-busy getting ready for the birth of baby #4.  I did have some time to read today and here are some of my favorite posts of 2006 (so far):

1. Missionsthink has a great post about how propositional sermons and the transfer of information has become the chief feature of church gatherings, giving birth to Christians who can't think for themselves and churches that "satellite" their services.  A gifted pastor no longer needs to bother with messy community-life with those he teaches, he can simply record his message and exit while the other services/locations push play and enjoy the digital doctrine download (which begs the question: as a Christian consumer, "Why can't I just stay home and watch the talking head on tv?  I can avoid the messy community-life, too."  When church has been diminished to the mere transfer of data, you can stay home and have "church" with your favorite preacher.
2. Dreamawakener has one of the best descriptions of what a missional church is and how it measures success.  My personal favorites are:  Not simply how many people come to our church services but how many people our church serves, Not simply how many people attend our ministry, but how many people have we equipped for ministry, Not simply how many people minister inside the church, but how many minister outside the church, and Not simply how unified our local church is, but how unified is “the church” in our neighborhood, city and world?
3. Awakening has a t-shirt that may not be a best seller, but I wouldn't mind having one.
4. Brother Maynard mentions a great quote from someone from the Barna group:  "What if we, as the church, have gotten really good about drawing people into our weekend church services? What if we have gotten really good about engaging them in worship, teaching, and fellowship during these weekend services? ….What if in doing this, we have actually been “doing” church for our congregants rather than releasing them “to be” the church. What if in doing this, we are actually doing more of a spiritual diservice to them in the process?"
5. Brother Maynard also asks this poignent question:  "Jesus’ mission was NOT to get more people to attend weekly temple meetings. How, by following his example, did this become the mission of the church?"
6. This is the funniest pseudo-software I have ever seen, create your own mega-church!
7. Here is a great rant on the importance of hospitality and meals while being missional in the suburbs.  Really good insights.
8. Here is a powerful quote from Peter Senge, author of the Fifth Discipline :  "I'd also like to argue that the mainstream of Christianity throughout the last 1,500 years, and particularly evident in the last 200 years, has been for the majority of practitioners, not a practice-oriented religion, but a Sunday religion, a religion of "do what you want as long as you subscribe to the right things and you show up on Sunday to keep the institution going." It has fostered an extraordinarily limited view of human capacity."
9. Dan Kimball makes a good point about how we naturally lose our missional potential over time simply because we lose connections to those outside of the church.
10. My friend The Bishop has some hilarious ideas on what to do in an elevator.  My favorites:  draw a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers that this is your “personal space," wear a puppet on your hand and talk to other passengers “through” it, and make explosion noises when anyone presses a button.
11. These resume bloopers are the bomb!

Quit Inviting People to Church!

    We must stop bringing people to church and start bringing church to people. We need to quit planting a regional church and start churching a region. In this new millennium, the call has changed from “come to church” to “come to Christ.”
  "What if someone inquires about my church?" Sure, go ahead and tell them about it.  But the "invite" is not the point of the relationship.  The relationship is the point of the relationship.
    "But I don't know any of my neighbors." We say that as if it's our neighbor's fault.  Someone has to take the first step and initiate contact.
    "They might think I'm weird." You are!
    What would happen if we made 2006 the year of relationships?  What if we told our church members to quit coming to so many church meetings and events and go out and get to know some people - all for the sake of relationships and conversations (because those two jewels are how the gospel has always been naturally transferred...key word NATURALLY).
    As followers of Christ, we need to relearn the art and science of conversation. We need to learn how to listen before offering answers. The gospels record 132 conversations that Jesus had with people. Six were in the temple, four in the synagogue, and 122 were out with the people in the mainstream of life. Should we do no less? There is great value in listening and “small talk.” Small talk is how people “smell” each other, a delivery system for checking each other out and making sense of things.
    In considering being missional, we must ask ourselves 3 radical questions: 

1. Do we really want to befriend them? Jesus had many labels, but my favorite is a “friend of sinners.” Do we really want to be like Christ in this area?
2. Are we willing to go where they are? Jesus intentionally went to the places that the religious people would not go lest they be tempted or offended or defiled. Are we willing to do the same?
3. Are we willing to spend time with them? This would require a dynamic change in schedules and priorities. When Jesus found a receptive town, He stayed longer and many more would believe (John 4:31).

    Our challenge today is that most believers live in bubbles. We will always have a tendency to huddle and cuddle with other believers to the neglect of our mission from Christ. Therefore, there are fewer and fewer networks or “third places” out there that have a follower of Christ. There are more and more places that do not have salt, light, or leaven within them. Instead we too often hide in our church subculture like expatriates who are complaining about how the pagans are living on the outside.

Way of Suburbia vs. Way of Christ - Part 3

SILENCE

Barna asked evangelical Christians, “When was the last time you felt strongly connected to God?” Over 70% could not remember the last time. He also asked, “When was the last time you read something in Scripture that changed the way you live?” 78% could not remember a time.

Is it possible that there is a correlation between the noise in our lives and the inability to hear and respond to God? Could there be a correlation between the frantic pace of our lives and the shallowness of our relationship with God? 

Notice that the first act of Jesus after His baptism was to get alone with God. It was not to secure his www.getsaved.com web site. It was not to call His disciples to Him. His first act of ministry after being baptized was to get alone with God and pray and wrestle the demons. 

In Luke’s gospel, he tells us the Jesus is constantly followed by massive crowds, He is healing sick people, and He has a habit of…disappearing. He never seems to be in a hurry. Outside of Gethsemane, He never seems to be stressed, despite the fact that He has three years to change the universe.

It is interesting to me in a study of world history that the only world changer that did not have a messiah complex was the Messiah. 

“Yeah”, we say, “but Jesus doesn't know what it's like in our hectic world - it's impossible to slow down. He didn't live in the 21st century.” 

I've been wondering why silence bothers us so much. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that when we allow things to get quiet we have a clearer reflection of our own spiritual condition and sometimes it's hard to look at. It's in silence that we see who we really are, that our true self bubbles to the surface, that we hear from God, and that we wrestle with our demons. And that's why we fill our day as much as we can. And if it's not work its entertainment, anything to avoid the silence -- even if it means a TV in our bedroom, so that we can avoid silence until the very last second that we’re awake. 

What if the kind of deep healing of the soul that we’re all looking for is not found in another sermon or worship service? What if that kind of deep healing is not found in another bible study or small group or relationship or church or book or therapy -- and I'm all for therapy, been there done it myself. What if that kind of deep healing is found in silence, solitude, prayer? What if that kind of deep healing is only found when we switch our life out of 5^th gear and put it in “park” and embrace silence and solitude and meditate and journal and wrestle and let the real issues bubble to the surface of our soul. 

I struggle with solitude and silence. I haven't figured this out yet. I tried one day to just sit on the couch all day and be silent and rest and it was the longest 10 minutes of my life. But I noticed that when I do take time for silence and solitude some things happen (and I know of no other way to say it than this): colors are TRUER, food tastes RICHER, I am completely ENAMORED with my wife, I am MESMERIZED with my kids, conversations with friends are SACRED, decisions are DISTINCT, scripture is VIBRANT, and God's voice is MANIFEST. 

Following Christ, even in Suburbia, must have this type of rhythm or we’re not following Christ.

Way of Suburbia vs. Way of Christ - Part 2

Materialism   

    We are insulated in Suburbia from the “least of these.” When do we ever cross paths with people in need? We might pass a homeless man during our commute to the city, but that’s about it. Instead, we are inoculated by toys and niceties: ipods, satellite radios, TiVo, cars less than 3 years old, houses less than 10 years old, fashionable clothing that is still in style, gym memberships, daycare, restaurants, dry cleaning, nails salon, high speed internet, HDTV, surround sound, etc.
    Never was I more confronted with my own abundance and materialism than when I went to Romania about 8 years ago. What I found in Romania were families that could only eat one meal a day that consisted of vegetables and cheese from their farms. Yet, their joy and gratitude and hospitality overflowed. I had extreme culture shock when I got back to the states and went out to eat at a restaurant for the first time. We went to a buffet-style restaurant and I was amazed at the display of food. When we filled our plate, I noticed that a family at a table next to us were fighting. Something about that moment caused me to lose control of my emotions and I had to excuse myself to the restroom to weep. What overwhelmed me at the time was how a family could fight with each other with such an abundance of food in front of them. I couldn’t grasp it.
    I usually come back from mission trips so grateful for the small things: air conditioning, roads in good conditions, hot water, toilets, clean water that I can brush my teeth with, grocery stores with 30 kinds of deodorant, electricity, a refrigerator, a closet full of clothes, a laptop, doctors, something to eat besides rice, etc. But I’ve noticed something about these trips: give me about 2 weeks and I’m just about completely acclimated again to the cadence and flow of affluence and comfort in Suburbia.
    What would it look like for a missional community to live in and among Suburbanites without embracing materialism?  Is it even possible?  Would it involve packing an extra sandwich with my lunch to give to the homeless man downtown?  Volunteering once a week at the local food pantry?  Would it involve driving cars that are older, living in houses that are cheaper, buying discount or second hand clothes, foregoing the latest techno gadgets that everyone seems to be buying, and other sacrifices so that we can practice the radical generosity that Christ promotes?  How do you think it might look to follow the revolutionary magnanimity of Christ to the "least of these" when you live among the "greatest of these" when it comes to wealth on a global scale?

Orthodox Jewish Rapper

Wow, I'm speechless after watching this.  http://www.matismusic.com