Missional Church as a Repentance Movement

The missional church has been described as many things. Some see it as a fad. They claim that this is just a temporary over-reaction and that eventually these wayward souls will return to the fold and once again see church "their way." Some claim that it is offensive. They say that those practicing missional church are against the church and are at war with tradition; something that they hold dear. Some make it a means of salvation. They say that church that looks alternative to tradition is more authentic (okay, I don’t know if anyone actually says this, but they seem to think it). After 6 years of pursuing missional church I have seen truth reflected in many of these. But I have come to see missional church as a repentance movement.

Movement from Mission Centered on Growing a Gathering

The traditional form of doing church has been struggling for many decades (maybe centuries) to shake the one troubling characteristic that has plagued it: having a larger mission than their own growth. Some have outright embraced growing their church as synonymous with growing the kingdom (I am looking at you, Rick Warren). This has been turned over and over by eloquent and charismatic speakers to convince us that if the “local church” is growing then the kingdom of God is growing. After all, “isn’t Jesus’ point to grow the Kingdom of God; therefore, invite your friends to church this Sunday.”

The problem is that we walk away feeling sticky. We feel like we have just taken part in some kind of fraud but it is too complex to argue. We don’t really have an alternative. So, we invite our friends (which are probably all Christian) to church this Sunday. Deep down inside we feel that the Kingdom is bigger, that the purposes of Jesus are not for the number of people in a building, that our mission should expand our personal horizons and grow us as more Kingdom minded people. The reality is less compelling. A successful pastor will be the one that adds people to the congregation. Period.

Movement from Collecting Money to Pay for the Building

No one likes to talk about money. Except for the church. People that preach and teach in the church seem to love the topic. Truth is… they don’t. They hate it. They hate asking for money. Pastors feel like they are beggars sometimes. They have a unique burden that many don’t see. They feel the weight of the bills. The lights, water, gas, teaching materials, repairs, landscaping, cleaning supplies, coffee filters… the list is seemingly endless. But two line items are particularly burdensome, salary and building. These weigh immensely.

The pastor’s salary is significant but it is even more burdensome if there are other staff. Then he feels especially responsible for another person. Then there is the rent/mortgage of the building. The truth is simple, for the leaders in the gathering to continue to teach and preach then the building must survive. If the building must survive then money must continue to grow. But our money was never meant for such purposes alone was it? Should it really feel like begging? Is this constant burden and pressure not a danger to the spiritual position and growth of the pastor? Is the mission of God to the poor and needy of this world really second to these practical priorities?

  

Movement Toward the Church Described in the Bible

These are no the description that we find in the Bible of the church; increasing a gathering and giving. The missional movement is attempting to step toward the description of the church that is found in the Bible. Not as an addition to the gathering and giving numbers being a priority, but as a movement to make the care for the poor and broken a priority and building expenses the secondary concern.

In order to do this, there is a need to shed the weight of the building. This doesn’t mean that the building is always gone but that the weight is shed. Some move to homes and gather as smaller communities throughout the city. Some use a business or some other way of sharing the costs of having a building. Not in some temporary way like when planting a church gathering but as a constant way of staving off the costs that demand church “look” a certain way.

This allows for money to be decentralized from a collection called for by the pastor. No longer does he feel the need to “convince” you to pay for the cost of “doing church.” Instead there can be a focus on the real needs of real people and the Spirit has freedom move your heart toward those needs and those lives. This is mission.

Movement Toward Affirming the Mission in Everyday Life

The mission and vision of the Kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed is not beholden to a certain few or fixed on working a certain way. It is compelled by the Spirit, led by him, moved forward by him, it depends on him. So, every Spirit indwelled person is a part of this mission and vision. So, here it is… Jesus has a mission for you… He has a vision for your life. It does not need filtering through your pastor. It is around you… your everyday life.

Jesus did not make you less than your pastor, or the preacher on television, or the famous (sort of) Christian author that you like to read. He is on mission right now, all around your home, in your workplace or school, in the lives of many people that are in your city. He is working in the lives of those that go to the synagogue, the mosque, those that are atheist. He is moving. Do you see him? Those people that he is calling and reaching are people that you are passing every day. You are on mission.

You are at the ends of the earth. Your driveway, your job, your favorite gas station, or grocery store. Mission is not another country or culture. Mission is the movement of Jesus into the lives of other people. There is no church in Scripture that is not a missional church. It is true that Jesus calls people to go to other countries, and he may call you. If he does, then it will probably be in response to your obedience where you are.

Missional as a Movement of Repentance

So, I don’t see the missional movement as another way of doing church. I see some problems with the way the church has been for centuries and many attempts by many people to repent and change to better fit the mission that Jesus has called us all to in the Scriptures. This repentance comes from outside and inside the traditional church but ultimately leads to one place: an acceptance of the consequences of Jesus’ way of life and his commands.