In another nation experiencing another culture. . . Being in Japan, Philippines, Australia, and NZ in the past four weeks got me thinking (blogging) about how to think like a missionary. Acting and thinking like a missionary has its own word—MISSIONAL.
Here are some random thoughts on being missional:
– Missional was originally about having compassion for the lost—even though “lost” was banned from the official missional lexicon—unless the L word was referring to that weird TV show.
– Missional used to be more about acting like a missionary and less about talking about being missional.
– When “missional” was the word of the month, it meant more than blogging, untucking your shirt, growing facial hair, cussing in the
pulpit, drinking beer, and criticizing mega-churches.
– I think “missional” as THE word kinda lost its punch when being cool became as important as being obedient.
– It seems that the “M” word is now losing its cool factor—currently being replaced by the latest emerging idea of the month—whatever that is.
– We all need to get back to simply living and preaching the gospel—in a way that makes sense to the people in our culture and community. That’s being missional.
– For more on being missional check out the following links:
The Meaning of Missional by Ed Stetzer
The Ed vs. The Al short vid debates
***ACCIDENTAL MISSIONARY UPDATE – I’m currently in NZ untucking my shirt, drinking “flat whites,” and not growing facial hair while trying to act and think like a missionary—Every Nation annual South Pacific Leadership Summit—hosted by Ken & Rene Dew and Every Nation Auckland church. Great to see all my South Pacific friends.