Are We Just Consuming "Missional"?

If a rediscovery of mission will bring new life to the church in the west; then consumerism may be it's death. The church, if it goes unchallenged will consume great Bible teaching; it will also consume community, serving experiences and even worship. But now an important question is emerging, "How do we keep churches from consuming mission?"  It is not a ridiculous question!  Who doesn't like to be a part of a cause greater than themselves?  Don't most people like to think they are making a difference?  Doesn't being on a mission appeal to an intrinsic felt-need that is in all of us?  I believe the answer is "yes" to all those questions.  And beware - after mission is consumed, if it stops feeling good, worthwhile and meeting needs, people will quit the mission! So back to our important question:  "How do we keep churches from making mission one more product they consume?"  Two suggestions:

1. Missionary As Identity - If we want the people in our churches to engage in mission we must make sure they understand that being a missionary is not something you consume, it is your identity.  We must help them do the kind of spiritual formation that understands we worship the Missio Dei, and this missionary God sent His son, and His son sent the Spirit, and the Spirit of God sends us.  If we can help the people in our churches see that we are missionaries, then mission will not simply be another program to consume, it will become their identity.
2. Missional Practices - To reinforce our identity as missionaries every church needs to teach and hold their people accountable for simple missional practices.  At COMMUNITY, we are teaching our people five simple missional practices that are based on Genesis 12 that "we are blessed to be a blessing."  These five missional practices are an acronym that make up the word B.L.E.S.S. (more to come on these practices soon).  These missional practices will not only reinforce our missionary identity but also create a missional culture within a church.  

I believe that the church in the west must rediscover it's mission; but at the same time we must be aware of mission becoming one more product for the church to consume!  What else do we need to do to keep our people from just consuming mission?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

Comments

[Doug Gamble]

This is an excellent post. So true that even "mission" can become something we consume. It's happened with worship. Worship is giving your WHOLE life to Jesus and we have reduced it to singing songs and they better be songs I like. We've done it with Bible teaching as you mentioned. We've done it with a church gathering evidenced by the huge trend in "church shopping." I'm looking forward to what you have developed to encourage "missionary identity. Love that. Thanks Dave.

[Steve Heye]

Dave, I appreciate your thoughts on this! I do like the concept of being a missionary, not just contributing to the mission. If you allow yourself to compartmentalize your involvement\behavior into a small box it allows you to check it off as being done. If you define it as becoming a missionary, then the work is never complete and it is more about who you are. I have no idea if my comment makes sense, but just thinking out loud. Thanks again!

[Jesse Smith]

There is an undeniable nostalgia associated with "missions" - especially short-term overseas mission trips to 3rd world countries. We experienced some of that this past year as a church. We've tried to learn from that experience and reshape our church ethos to reflect the belief that all believers are short-term missionaries, here or abroad. And as Alan Hirsch & Michael Frost point out, "The mission has a church - rather than the church having a mission." Developing that culture (as with all things) has been a journey, but I'm excited about the possibilities for the Millenial Generation. 92% of them (myself included) have that "intrinsic heart-felt need" to do something of significance with their life that makes a real difference.

*Reblogging - Thanks!*

[Dave Ferguson]

Steve Heye, totally makes sense! What you are expressing is exactly what it means to make missionary as a part of your identity and who you are. Good thoughts!

[Paul Loyless]

Boom! Ouch! Thank You!

[michael]

too late it has already been consumed. it is what we do. next fad please

[Chris]

Dave,

I'd be curious for your thoughts on Duraisingh's article, "From church-shaped mission to mission-shaped church," synopsis at http://www.anglicantheologicalreview.org/read/article/1075/

Thanks.