November 04, 2004
Be Missional!
The difference between Christianity as we know it, and missional Christianity (Brian Mclaren - "A Generous Orthodoxy").
Many of us are frustrated with a "Jesus and Me" Christianity. The kind that fosters a "my rights and my immediate needs are God's main concern." You can't read the Bible and accept that (okay, you can, but you'll be wrong - how's that for non-tolerant) Okay, what's the alternative?. Biblical Christianity, right? That's what McLaren calls a Missional Christianity...here's how he explains it...
This is Christianity as we know it or experience it in most established churches...
"...my largest concern is me, my soul, my personal destiny in heaven, my maturity, and my rewards. Occasionally, after 'winning' people based of personal self-interest, churches can entice people to care a little about the church-but is it any surprise that people 'won to Christ' by self-interest come to the church asking, 'What's in it for me?'" - McLaren
The alternative - A Missional approach...
"In the diagram to the right, Jesus comes with saving love for the world. He creates the church as a missional community to join him in his mission of saving the world. And He invites me to be a part of this missional community to experience his saving love and participate in it." - McLaren
Chances are that if you just looked at those and said, yeah, so, what? It probably hasn't hit you how different the two are.
For example, as McLaren writes....
"it eliminates; dichotomies like 'evangelism' and 'social action' - both are integrated in expressing love for the world.... Eliminates distinctions like ministry (in the church) and mission (out of it) - since mministry is for mission or in other words every Christian is a missionary and every place is the mission field."
This is all from the chapter - "Why I'm a Missional Christian?"And it gets better...talking about how it opens up a third alternative beyond exclusive and universalist religion (that had to get your attention!). However, that's a whole other post - or you could just get your own book. A Generous Orthodoxy (see left colunm).
This is definitely a read and re-read deal.
Hi Ed-
Found you via the broo-ha-ha going on over at Scott's blog.
Thanks for this post. I've seen the book on several bloggers reading lists, but you've actually given me a reason to go out and get it. What you've written resonates with what God's been speaking to me lately... so I look forward to the read.
ps. This is a way calmer place to visit at the moment :)
Posted by: wilsonianI hear you...but watch out...occasionally it gets hot around here too :), but never as much as that...If that stuff resonates with you, there's much more where that came from!
Posted by: edDon't mind HEAT. Do mind HATE. It's all in how you arrange things. :)
Posted by: wilsonianI just read my answer I realized it was pretty unclear....I meant that you liked the content by McLaren, there's a lot more of that in the book...oops!
And on the heat...I hear ya :)
Posted by: edJust ordered the book from my local christian bookstore (I know it would have been faster online, but I do what I can for local businesses), so I'll be able to join the fun shortly :)
Posted by: wilsonian