Missional Transformation

A Missional Approach to Congregational Transformation : 

An invitation to reflect on God’s call A Missional Approach to Congregational Transformation George R. Estes, D.Min. General Assembly Council Missions Ministry Team Cumberland Presbyterian Church 30 minute presentation

What do you mean, ‘transformation?’ : 

What do you mean, ‘transformation?’ ‘Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…’ [Rom.12:2a] Congregational transformation means re-thinking how we do church (and re-doing how we ‘think’ church) It suggests renewal in attitude, spirit, heart

Have we forgotten something? : 

Have we forgotten something? ‘The church in N. America has a case of spiritual amnesia. It’s forgotten its reason for existence.’ – Reggie McNeal, author of The Present Future ‘Church is the only society in the world that exists for the sake of those who are not members of it.’ – Bishop William Temple ‘The church in the world never exists for herself alone, but to glorify God and work for reconciliation through Christ.’ – CPC Confession of Faith, “God Creates the Church for Mission” ‘The church is the church only when it exists for others.’ – Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer Church work can restrict the work of the church

Slide 4: 

So what is ‘Missional’ Church? A missional church is a community of faith where people are discerning and participating in God’s mission together. – Center for Parish Development Author Dan Kimball described the missional church ‘as a body of people sent on a mission who gather in a community for worship, encouragement, and teaching from the Word that supplements what they are feeding themselves throughout the week.’ - The Emerging Church Mission is not a program or activity of the church; it is the result of God’s initiative We have no ‘program’ of missions; the church itself is God’s mission program The church isn’t the Kingdom of God, but it is to be a demonstration of it Missional church means ‘sent’ – our God is a missionary God ‘God’s mission is calling/sending us to be a missionary church in our own society’ – Lesslie Newbigen

Some Biblical Guideposts For Church Development : 

Some Biblical Guideposts For Church Development Begin with prayer Commission leadership Go where there is a need Evangelize in the marketplace Gather in homes, share meals and fellowship Proclaim the gospel with sound teaching Provide counsel from the wider church Equip new gift-oriented leaders Stay in contact Encourage stewardship among new believers Withstand opposition

Slide 6: 

Affirmations for a Missional Theology A missional theology is Biblical Historical Contextual Eschatological Practical

Slide 7: 

Missional Points to Ponder Today’s culture is shifting & the church struggles to meet it with the gospel. The gospel is powerful as ever, but often the church is not living it and doesn’t know how to communicate it. Even churches doing well today seem to be primarily growing off other churches. Missional church is not a new model of how to do church, but a reclaiming of the unique nature of the church. It’s about shepherding Christ’s followers as well as multiplying Christ’s followers. We’re challenged to help create spiritually healthy environments to foster deeper conversations about Christ and closer discipleship.

Slide 8: 

Missional Distinctives Mission as distinct from method Organism rather than organization Serving instead of being served Numbering our “missioners” rather than “members” Culturally savvy, yet “counter-cultural” Learning community, learning community ‘The church of our time and place is largely inwardly focused. It has lost sight of the world outside its walls. God is a missionary God, and the church must be a missionary church. The church exists for no other reason than to participate in God’s mission. Without mission there is no church.’ – Walt Kallestad

TWO COMPLEMENTARY AGENDAS : 

TWO COMPLEMENTARY AGENDAS Attractional – “come” oriented Missional – “go” oriented Jesus offered both: “Come unto me - Follow me;” AND “Go and make disciples”

RE - Vision : 

RE - Vision ‘Lift up your eyes & see’ – re-directing our focus ‘Jesus saw the crowds’ – compassionate ‘eyes’ of Christ ‘Signs of the times’ – what time is it, anyway?

RE - CALL : 

RE - CALL Listen afresh to God’s call from the Word Listen for God in prayer Listen to the heartbeat of the gathered community of faith Listen to the voices of the world outside our walls

RE- TELL : 

RE- TELL Assume the presence of the skeptical Work on ‘church talk’ – culturally bilingual Equip disciples to notice ‘gospel intersections’ in the culture Expect faithfulness in the community of faith, show tolerance in the secular community ‘Always preach the gospel; if necessary use words.’ – St. Francis

RE - Dedicate : 

RE - Dedicate Greatest commitment [John 3:16] Repenting, reconciling, forgiving, peace-making Discover and deploy gifts Value truth over ‘niceness’ Act in love, practice hospitality Prioritize for corporate worship, fellowship, service, stewardship

Obstacles to Missional Transformation : 

Obstacles to Missional Transformation 7 Last Words of the Church [We never did it that way before. OR, We have always done it that way.] Take care of our own Rainy day syndrome Island in the Son Theology of scarcity Resistance to spiritual discipline

Challenges for Missional Transformation : 

Challenges for Missional Transformation Recognizing our mission field US as missionaries; our church as a mission community Inspirational but also transformational Risk-taking for the gospel (holy discontent) Sharing resources

Slide 16: 

‘Be transformed by the renewal of your mind and so prove the will of God…’ [Romans 12:2]