There’s a lot of talk today about “mission” and being “missional.” But a terribly important question that rarely gets asked is: What is the Mission of God exactly?
Upon that question hangs the Law and the Prophets.
There’s hardly a consensus on this specific query among missional theologians and practitioners right now. But I believe it will set the tone and shape of the discourse about “missional” over the next 5 years.
Not long ago, Christian Audio interviewed me about this very question. In it, I engaged one piece of it. You can hear the interview below.
God’s Grand Mission: What is It?
Related:
Vantage Point: The Story We Haven’t Heard – Part I
Vantage Point: The Story We Haven’t Heard – Part II
Ed Stetzer Interview: Mission, Church, and God’s Timeless Purpose
Mission. It’s like the holy grail of christianity. All I know is that my mission is to know Him and His transforming love for me. Out of that comes the fruits of the spirit and a love for other people and a burning desire to share the real hope of Jesus Christ and what He can do in a persons life(heal, redeem,forgive, tenderly love back to health) to a lost and hurting world. The Lord has told me to “keep it simple.” (I struggle with this, I like to make things complicated) I am learning to let Him do the heavy lifting.
Helen, I very much like your reply! I think some people would argue, though… what about those in other countries? Many have told me that if we don’t make it a point to go into other countries, they will never hear about Christ. I struggle with that. Why is it always taken to ‘other countries’? My neighbors are a huge mess of all sorts, should I abandon them and even potentially some of my family, for those in another country? If I focus on loving my neighbors, and my friend focuses on traveling to other countries, are we both ‘being missional’? I was told that I will never be ‘in the ministry’ if I don’t hook up and travel to other countries or financially support that ‘mission’
Frank,
Can you clarify what you meant here,
“There’s hardly a consensus on this specific query among missional theologians and practitioners right now. But I believe it will set the tone and shape of the discourse about “missional” over the next 5 years.”
There is no consensus but “it” will set the tone. What does “it” mean here? That to which there is no consensus? The only thing I can come up with is that “it” means the question itself but I am not sure if that fits the context either. Can you help me understand what you meant there brother? Thanks for all you do.
Matt: Correct . . . “it” is the question, “What is the Mission exactly?” I believe that will set the tone and shape in the days ahead. Among many, this question has been assumed. btw/ on a related note, did you read Jamal J’s article on missional and Amway?
Thanks for the clarification. I appreciate that. I just looked up the article you referenced by Jamal –
I read it and am still thinking about it. I can see where he is coming from and I think much of it is constructive. My first gut reaction is that some of it may throw the baby out with the bathwater…but many correct pendulum swings do that so I don’t take that to mean that his take is entirely wrong. I am going to read it again and spend some time digesting it. Thanks for mentioning that article. That is a very interesting and helpful read. God bless.
God’s mission? I’ve never thought about that question. I’ve thought about my mission and about the mission of the church and about Christ’s mission.
Can you answer that question in a sentence or two, Frank?
Steve: Listen to the audio, bro. Soundbytes don’t work with titanic issues like this that involve centuries of hardened mindsets and filters to work through. Soundbytes only give wrong impressions (that’s why I hate Facebook quotes – soundbytes – without links). You can put the audio on your iPod if you like for later hearing. It’s on iTunes also. Enjoy.