The congregation celebrates the incorporation of the family into the covenant community, baptized in the name of the Triune God—even as the child is completely asleep! Ultimately, we should seek to draw upon missional theologies of the church as a way to live deeper into the gospel—and deeper into our own strengths as Reformed Christians.
We should value our covenant community as Reformed Christians, and that we are sent into the world as a worshiping, witnessing, covenant community. Powered by Public Platform. Done Daily. Hit enter to search or ESC to close. Close Search. Todd Billings May 1, No Comments. This is a revised version of an article originally appearing in the Church Herald and is republished with permission.
Todd Billings J. Around the Web Uncategorized The key word missing from the climate movement. Jeff Munroe April 30, Steven McMullen April 28, Jason Lief October 28, In Leadership Journal , Tim Conder suggests that the "activism" of missional churches can overcome the theological debates and divisions of the past. Likewise, the editor of The Presbyterian Outlook suggests that being missional is a way to unite mainline Presbyterians and overcome the painful rifts between theological liberals and conservatives.
Theology divides, but mission unites, or so goes the mantra. Yet when some Presbyterians think mission involves advocating for peace among world religions by denying the uniqueness of Christ, while others think mission involves evangelism of all nations, how escapable is theology?
With so many variant views, the term missional church now needs something like an FDA label: Warning: Contradictory and conflicting views of the church inside. American evangelicals have a history of ambivalence toward the church. We have long been entrepreneurs for the gospel, starting parachurch ministries that fill in the gaps for local congregations. The blessing of this has been evangelicalism's vibrancy; the curse, uncertainty about what the church is and why Christians should bother with it.
As a young person, I received evangelism training from a well-known missions group. We were told to speak of Jesus, but to avoid talking about the church. The church has hurt people, after all, and its history is littered with stories of oppression and abuse.
Unfortunately, this approach to evangelism constricts biblical truth. In New Testament terms, it is impossible to belong to Jesus Christ without becoming members of his body. Salvation never happens between just an individual and Jesus. When we are united with Jesus, we are simultaneously incorporated into the church. We don't trust in the church itself for salvation. But neither do we overlook its place in the revealed, gospel message of God.
So how can the missional church overcome its tendencies to domesticate an expansive, biblical vision? Missional Church suggests that Americans first need to look at how their various church traditions can inform a missional identity. The Anglican Communion can contribute a rich, liturgical heritage to the missional church, while a missional vision can maintain such rich liturgy as an instrument for God's kingdom.
What does it mean to be missional and Reformed? The Reformed emphasis on the power of God's Word and Spirit can give the missional church a more fully biblical theology, while a missional vision can remind Reformed believers that the Word is sent evangelistically into and for the world. What does it mean to be missional and Lutheran? The Lutheran tradition's theology of the Cross can bring a much-needed Pauline emphasis to the missional church's theology of the kingdom, while a missional vision can remind Lutherans of the centrality of the kingdom reign of God.
What does it mean to be missional and Mennonite? The Mennonite tradition of "the way of Jesus" can sharpen the missional church's vision of itself, while a missional vision can keep Mennonites culturally engaged in God's mission to the world.
A vision for the missional church will push against parts of our historic traditions, just as these traditions will critique parts of the missional vision. If we want to hear God's Word in its fullness, we must recognize the need for both old and new traditions. The language of the missional church can be dangerous when it becomes just another excuse to dismiss the Spirit's work throughout the vast sweep of church history.
Yet thinkers like D. Williams and James K. The Holy Spirit has united us not only to Jesus Christ but also to his body, which spans the globe and history. Thus, we should not be surprised that God's new work in mission is also an old work. For we are not shaped primarily by the spirit of the s, the s, or , but by the eternal Spirit, who has been shaping and sending witnesses to the gospel for thousands of years.
Click for reprint information. In " Stopping Cultural Drift ," Simon Chan outlined a theology of the church for stopping evangelical cultural accommodation. Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. Our digital archives are a work in progress. We continually preach and teach that we are to share the gospel with others by providing them an opportunity to invite Jesus into their lives.
This serves as the "sales pitch," which is frequently nothing more than a come-to-Jesus-and-be-happy proposition. However, the good news that Jesus taught was the gospel of the kingdom, in which mankind, because of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, is invited to enter into his life, his kingdom.
There is a cosmic dimension to the good news of God's kingdom come into the world. Mark Roberts rightly connects the gospel of the kingdom to the mission of God, which is "to undo the dire effects of sin, to bring reconciliation between us and God, and to extend that reconciliation to all creation" Rev. Mark D. The gospel of the kingdom is much bigger than us individually or our personal salvation. While there is a profoundly personal aspect to one's salvation for which I am deeply grateful, this is but a part of the larger redemptive mission of Christ.
In the quotable phrase of N. Wright, it's the mission of "putting the world back to rights. In short, the missional church is a church that is surrendered to the redemptive mission, methods, and purposes of God in the world, rather than a people who gather for their own sakes.
Next week, I will explore the practical ways in which I think this missional mind-set can be expressed personally and corporately in the world.
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