The Missional Church

Are "missional" churches prevalent in the SBC? I am just wondering since what I read in the link to "friendsofmissional" states that their congregations tend to be less program centered-which IMHO is what a majority of SBC congregations are. It is also interesting to note that "missional" is an adjective leaders in the CBF use quite a bit.

 

I'm old enough to remember when "mission-minded" meant the same thing as missional. And we were called "missionary Baptists."

 

My church calls itself a "missional" church. We are also SBC. These types of churches are becoming more common. Basically the emphasis is placed more on being a missionary to your own community, not just other countries. Less program driven, more emphasis and action placed on serving those in the community to reach them, not create visitations or witnessing programs. Rather to prepare each believer to be a missionary to his or her workplace, school, etc.

 

missional is also a term that is used by the Emergent Church Movement. In their circles it is basically a term used with demonstrating more of the social aspects of the Gospel. I'm being kind with that definition.

It is just another "buzz" word that is kicked around evangelicalism today. Some might use the word in the sense that most traditional, bible believing christians would probably understand the term.

Others, such as liberals, and those all to popular, gray, fuzzy, pretending not to be liberals but really are liberals use that word to give purpose to their forsaking of the true Gospel to that of the social persuasion.

Our mission is to tell people that God loved them so much that His Son shed His blood on the cross for their sins.
If they reject that then they will burn in Hell forever according to His perfect, complete, Word.

 

sheesh...a little upset about something, I'd say.

 

yes,

upset about the emergent movement which is promoted by apostates like Brian McClaren.
Your church, Dan probably doesnt' even know how particular terms are used in particular movement etc...
Furthermore the church hasn't been defeated yet and it won't be.
I want to throw up everytime I hear one of these post-modern, weak-kneed, spineless preachers, authors opine with their watered down, pap that they have replaced for the Gospel.
Dan, a church will naturally begin to meet the physical, emotional, "needs" of that particular church's community when said church gets it's heart filled with a burning desire for the lost souls of men.
Do yourself a favor and go educate yourself on people, movements etc... who are all into the idea of a church being "missional"
You will begin to see t hat there are some strange bedfellows in some of those circles.
You will find that those who are big on being missional are some of the same people who are weak in doctrine.
Also can a church be missional without having to declare that it is?
Of course.
BTW, the SBC which spent 30 years regaining the convention from the liberals are going to lose it to these little, young, weak-kneed, shallow preaching, powderpuff preachers who are more concerned about not offending someone and being relevant instead of preaching the "whole council of God". Preachers in the SBC like Warren, Andy Stanley, Ed Young Jr. and countless other little spin off wanna be's that want to be just like those dudes need to find their spine and start preaching the Bible instead of little sermonettes filled with movie clips and props etc... Dim the lights and break out the popcorn cause its showtime baby.
Let me ask you dan ybe your church is little I don't know?
But if it is sort of on the large side I will assume you have all kinds of tech. equipment? Maybe some big screens and all that bologna.
Maybe you have a bunch of other stuff like that?
I don't know but alot of church's puff up their chests and declare they are going to be "missional" like "up until now the church has failed in getting it right so we are going to set em straight"
Well alot of churches that are like that ought to sell off all the crap they have to make people feel so warm and pleasant and use that money to be missional.
I want to puke when these big churches talk about all they are doing for missions etc... when their "campuses" look like a hotel in Vegas.
coffee shops, bookstores, cafes etc... all on their "campus"
Why not try some "sacrificial, missional" ministry before declaring that we are going to be "missional"
Christians in America today want to be involved in ministry, church ,etcc ,.... as long as it is convienent. Sadly most pastors who want big crowds etcc... accomodate their spoiled,selfish members instead of teaching them "to obey is sacrifice".
So yeah Dan, I'm angry because I look at the state of the American church and it is sad. She has bent so far backwards for the world to like and accept her that you can't tell the difference between the church and the culture.
In a world where the culture is turning more vile and wicked everyday Pathetic, mis-guided pastors are telling their people that they have to be more like the culture.. Yeah ... Right.

 

hmmm......I totally understand and agree with your concerns. You need to chill out, however.

 

Welcome to the Baptist Board csl, is there any reason to be so angry?

No around here has done anything to you.

Just share your thoughts in a civil manner and perhaps hit the enter key a couple times in your post

 

I have to chase this rabbit. There is no such thing as the "American Church." There are American churches, and some of them are as you describe. But not all, and care should be taken not to paint all of them with the same brush.

Mine, for one.

BTW, there is no "Church," only local congregations.

 

Wow... slow down and get to know folks before you cast your judgements.. judge with righteous judgement...

I for one use technology to reach and teach... And our church averages about 50 to 60 on Sunday, and is growing both spiritually and numerically.. It is growing slow because we are discipling as we go.

And the church is doing better now than it did before.
I am firm in Baptist Doctrine, and am teaching our church how to be too.

I use Powerpoint in sermons, Bible Study, and have used clips and video to drive my point home... Have you seen the oprah clip, where she argues that there are many ways to God... I had some Oprah fans before I showed that clip... guess what... They are not now... see, tech, can be used for God...

I also have put together videos to play while our choir is singing... very powerful stuff especially to my generation and below. The TV generations...

Sorry if you don't like what I do.. but you don't have to come to our church... And our members totally support what I am doing... and we are glorifying God....

We are a small country church that is not afraid of using technology to edify the church... from an interactive website, to a discussion forum for Bible Study, to a chat room where the members meet to have moderated Bible study...

So before you paint all churches that use tech with that broad brush... slow down and look around...

By the way, we are missional.... in the right way...
We support many missions and missionaries...

As a matter of fact this Sunday is missions Sunday.
The whole emphasis is on missions both home and abroad...

good day.

 

not casting judgement merely making observations.
I made it clear that not every church in america is going downhill.
Yet alot are.

Praise the Lord for every Bible preaching pastor out there.

I'm not angry just passionate.

 

you come off angry.....something to work on!

God knows we've all got things to work on.

 

Check out this definition...maybe it will help you understand that some who use the term shouldn't be lumped with others who are changing theology

http://www.acts29network.org/acts-29-blog/what-is-a-missional-church/

 

It would be news to Andy Stanley to be considered SBC.

 

Absolutely!:thumbs: