If someone asked you, 'What is church?' How would you answer (or probably a truer depiction, 'What would you think of first?'). Would you say: 9 or 11 o'clock on Sunday morning. Would you point to an address or a building.
As I said in the previous missio post's (you can check out the last one by clicking here) --- missio dei describes the Sending God. Not just a function, but who He is. And what He is doing.
And a local 'church' is not a place or a meeting or a time - it is simply a community expression of Christ in the world.
And yet it's so easy - and subtle - for us as a 'church' to become inward focused. And instead of being the sent, we become the stagnant and content. Hey instead of worrying about all the crud 'out there', let's be sure that we have new carpet for our rooms and nice chairs and plenty of space to be comfortable. It happens. And yes, it's been happening to us in small, incremental ways.
One person put it this way: "The issue is that the church has become a refuge from the world rather than a force in the world." Yes!
Too much of the time we go to 'church' with the mindset that we are consumers of what will satisfy us, instead of conquerors. I hear it all the time from church shoppers: 'We are looking for a church that meets our need for _________.'
And before long instead of being 'On Mission' we settle for just supporting a missions program.
We must pray for it. We must fight for it. We must live for it. It's about all of us - one at a time and together as a body - seeking how we influence our world with the Good News and good deeds of Christ.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Missio Dei and 'The Church'
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2 comments:
John, God has us in these crosshairs right now (you know that).... I think that for the longest time....church has been about the "attraction". I've even had pastors say...you build the relationships....then just bring them here on Sunday...so they can get saved.
It has been the culture as long as I can remember!
I came across what I would say is a contemporary church website just this morning (http://www.foothillscc.org/) ...and it really made me sad because it just facilitated this posture. Their church catch phrase was;
"THE BEST HOUR OF YOUR WEEK"!!
Compelling huh? But that just feeds our consumer/check list mentality. Christ came to free us from lists....and to move us to 'being on mission'.
If we aren't living 'on mission' ....its like walking out of the movie right after the previews, we didn't even 'get it'.
John, I love your willingness to be obedient as the Spirit leads. I know this isn't new.....but its hard to lead in. I applaud The Creekers who are getting this....and living this.....because this vision, it's a God vision. NO DOUBT!
Thanks for your comments Tray and for adding some more 'flesh' to the conversation.
What an incredibly unstable ride we're on! There is no hope if we don't follow Jesus.
And as we've talked about, there is nothing sinful about having an 'attractional' component to who you are, but if it IS your model, then you're toast.
Where is the 'go'? Where is the giving it away? Where is the salt and light in the world?
O'Lord help us to be faithful. Help us to live for heaven at the doorway of hell.
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