November 12, 2008
“Missional”????
Posted by Pastor Yana Ahn
Recently, a few of us were talking about what it means to be “missional.” In fact, we, YNCC, are to become a missional community that connects, serves and extends. So, what does it mean to be missional? What comes to your mind when you hear the word, ‘missional’?
Here are some of responses we shared together;
• Living beyond myself — looking outside of me, looking into God’s heart
• Living with a purpose
• Intentional — having direction of life . . .
• Sharing the hope of Christ with those without the hope . . .
• Requires more than crossing a border, taking a Short Term Missions (SMT) trip.
It requires a life HERE and NOW being missional—being intentional for Christ with the purpose of sharing the hope of Christ in wherever you are — whether in a classroom, in a marketplace, in a boardroom, or in a PTA meeting, etc.. Only then, crossing the border doesn’t really mean much, and we learn to truly become missional.
What comes to your mind when you hear the word, “missional”, YNCC becoming a missional community? Would you share your thoughts? Thus, together, we may enlarge our understanding of what God has called us to become? Welcoming your input. . .
Yana
Missions Pastor
Comments
Maybe there is a problem with perceptions. The word “Missional” has the word “Mission” in it and because the whole world of “Missions” evokes a particular profession or ministry, one might prematurely dismiss it altogether as something that could apply to him. But isn’t it possible to be missional in what we do in our everyday existence. Missional parents as ones who want to instill in their children a love for God and others. Missional students who want to learn to prepare for a life of service and usefulness in whatever vocation.
Posted by jhhong on January 3, 2009
Thank you jhhong for your thoughtful comments.
One thought that I feel is often overlooked regarding being missional is the idea of being sent.
In the gospel of John Jesus says,
John 20:21-23 (English Standard Version)
21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
It is my hope and prayer that we learn what it means to be sent by the Father. As followers of Christ it is necessary to know how the Father sent Jesus so that we can be sent by Jesus in the same way.
I imagine that it would have to do something reflected in Philippians 2:5-11.
I appreciate the continued conversation.
Blessings,
John
Posted by Pastor John Loppnow on January 3, 2009
Leave a Comment
(You must be a registered member to post comments.
Create a new account or sign in below to leave a comment.)