How important is salvation to mission? The answer to this question will determine the trajectory of the missional church movement, for good or for ill. What is the state of the Gospel of the Missional Church? In his Mondays is for Missiology post, Ed Stetzer notes the importance of this very issue:
Missiology is fairly inextricable from soteriology; one’s view of salvation– however it is defined– will determine the missionary work. In Transforming Mission, David Bosch states that the Christian missionary movement has been driven throughout its history by the aspiration to mediate salvation to all.
Jesus as Example or Messiah?
In some circles, “mission” appears to focus on social activism to the neglect of so-called evangelism. Mission is often reduced to a project among the poor and needy. The example of Christ is central. In other circles, evangelism appears to be more important than social activism. Mission reduces people to evangelistic projects. The death and resurrection of Christ is central. How we understand the person and work of Christ should affect our understanding and practice of mission.
What is the Gospel of the Missional Church?
Do you have any concerns about the trajectory of the missional church conversation? Do you have any concerns about present understandings of the person and work of Jesus? Have you read any important books or articles that are defining the role of Christ in mission?
Weigh in. Consider extending the conversation at MissionSHIFT. Check out what others in the Prologue to MissionSHIFT are saying:
Missional Leaders in the Conversation