Type the term missional into any document and you will discover a red underline indicating that the word is not an acceptable term or part of the vocabulary of the spell check program. In other words, it is not part of the language we use. That may be acceptable for consumers employing the Word Perfect program, but far from it for employees of the Perfect Word (Scripture) program. According to II Corinthians 5:17-20 after all, we have been created as a new community in Christ right here on earth, for the expressed purpose of being on mission with God with the word of reconciliation. We are to be missional.

 

At Hollowell, we are making a conscious effort to be missional. In fact, it is our main goal and it appears week after week in the center portion of our bulletin. We have coined it in this fashion:

 

Our Goal – To be a missional outpost for God. As a strategic center for divine initiatives, we seek to partner with God in deploying his people and resources where He can most effectively use them to his glory.

 

While our mission is all about reaching out to others with the message and the compassion of Jesus, teaching through biblical instruction to bring every believer to maturity in Christ, and celebrating in our fellowship, the dynamic presence of God through corporate worship, our goal continues to be missional. Even our vision, to be a contemporary presence for Christ in Franklin County, preparing holistic followers of Christ, expresses our passion to be missional – that we can all share our faith with others and that we as a church might plant daughter churches to further God’s Kingdom.

 

How can you be missional? How can your church be missional?

 

Focus less on selfish desires and more on God’s priorities. It is very easy for a church to become primarily consumed with maintenance – including existing programs, the way that we have always done worship, even the building itself. And as individuals it is even easier for us to do the same, sitting in our established comfort zones and self imposed menageries. And if you are wondering what I mean by that, a menagerie is an exhibit or collection kept in captivity for the curiosity and entertainment of the public according to the Encarta Dictionary. That is a far cry from what we are intended to be both as individuals who follow Christ and a church community committed to sharing the news of reconciliation.

 

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