Some people describe mission as incarnational and organic. Yet many others add the term “missional” to their current church programs and attractional church structures. Are both a proper use of the term “missional”?
Enter MissionSHIFT, a conversation and conference to clarify just what mission is and, as a result, develop a “missional manifesto.” Sound interesting? Over the next few weeks, I’ll be participating with you and the leaders below to advance this conversation, to clarify the meaning of missional.
The Manifesto
Sounds awfully juggernauntish doesn’t it? Rest assured, this isn’t a political statement that will put to rest all missional debate. It’s not a parochial attempt to strong-arm one definition of missional. We want to hear from you. However, the intent of the emerging manifesto is to say: “This is what we mean when we talk about being missional.” It might not be a universal statement, but MissionSHIFT leaders hope it will be an important one, one that clarifies missional thinking and practice.
Missional Leaders in the Conversation
- Rick Meigs: The Blind Beggar
- Bill Kinnon: kinnon.tv
- Brent Toderash (Brother Maynard): Subversive Influence
- David Fitch: Reclaiming the Mission
- Tiffany Smith
- Jared Wilson: The Gospel-Driven Church
- Jonathan Dodson: Creation Project
Let’s get started. Leave a comment about with your own, rough, 1-sentence definition of “missional.†Your responses will be collated, considered, and responded to as we move towards greater clarity on mission.