That Missional Program Thingy

Occasionally, someone will ask, "How is that missional program thingy you're doing?" Usually when asked, I kind of hem and haw. I am unsure how to answer. I'm not sure why it's so difficult to put into words what it is the program means to me and what I hope to see as a result of it, but for some reason it is.  

Recently, I decided to try to put into words what the missional program is about and the direction it is taking me. I did this for a group of folks interested in and considering ways it might partner with me and this work. So, I thought I'd share it here, in this space as well.  

First, this is a discernment process. While I have some vague notions and hopes regarding what the end result might look like I can't specifically say or commit to any one thing at this point. I think it is important to trust the work of the Spirit to lead and to guide. Part of the process of discernment is to ask where God is at work in our community and how we might join in with that work. So, I am trying to set aside any preconceived notions about what this all might look like when we're done.

Second, people often wonder what the word “missional” means. Here is a good way to think about it: to be missional is to trust that the future of the people of God is among the people of God (where the "people of God" is defined as EVERYONE, in the church or not.) This is a different orientation than we are used to because the focus is no longer on preserving or maintaining the institutional church rather the focus is on being the church “out there” in the world, among the people in our community.

Third, there is a corollary which follows: a missional identity comes from outside of the missional community. Typically a church develops a new mission or outreach program from within. It identifies what the church needs or desires (say to bring in young adults or families) and develops programs it hopes will bring those folks into the fold. In contrast, a missional orientation asks what the community needs. It then works from there to build a community of faith and practice that impacts the larger community.

The sum of all this is best put into words by Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, who offers a great example of a missional mindset even though he was talking about the best way to operate his business. Bezos said, 

Rather than ask what are we good at and what else can we do with that skill, you ask, who are our customers? What do they need? And then you say we’re going to give that to them regardless of whether we currently have the skills to do so, and we will learn those skills no matter how long it takes.”