On a Mission.

Today all of the interns & their supervisors in the Phoenix area "missional co-hort" gathered for one last official time. A seminary professor was sent down to facilitate a discussion on the missional emerging perspectives of the church.

We discussed:

A. God: the theological understandings that frame our work.

B. Church: what does it mean to be a missional church?

C. Leadership: how are we engaged as missional leaders?

I am pleased to say it was a fruitful workshop. It was refreshing to be around partners in ministry who have the same vision for the church and the pastoral role among it.

Some of our main conclusions that we reaffirmed were:

• God (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) is alive and active in the world.
• God is gracious and loving to all people--including those people not in the church pews.
• Our ministry is to join in the work God is already doing in the world.
• Missional ministry is not pastorally centered--it involves using the gifts of all people. Pastors--in the proclamation of the Gospel-- help to encourage, support, and welcome these gifts.
• There are differences between a "missional church" and "multi-campus ministry."
  
• Change is not only a vitally important part of church life, but a good part.
• The church isn't so much about gathering with like minds, rather it's about the sending of believers into the messy, chaotic, and often dark world.
• The church isn't about money or big buildings.
  
• We don't have all the answers.
  
• Our traditions have held us well in many aspects, but in some ways they greatly inhibit the church.
  
• Instead of using our hands up/against the world in proclamation we use our hands to welcome and serve through our proclamation.

None of this is ground-breaking, earth-shattering ideology, but it was rejuvenating and exciting to mull over and think about practical theology. Perfect for a not so academic/but passionate person who likes real-life application!

Now if only we can foster this lens with those around us...

I'm messing around with the idea that when I get back to Luther I might work with the Congregational Leadership division to work on doing some "missional development/re-development" study and maybe even enter a track alongside of my candidacy approval. It could help me get placed in a church where these ideas have already been initiated.

Or maybe I'll just stick it out with my youth ministry concentration. We'll see.

Anyway, another Monday has come and gone, and it's June. Rabbit, rabbit.

Oh and Happy Birthday, Popparone!

Peace--
HGJ