God is… missional synchro-blog
The question of “what is missional” I believe is more correctly answered by re-framing the question, “what is the mission of God?” For as I understand it - this is not about what is my vision, purpose or mission or our church’s vision, purpose or mission - but instead it is about joining up with God and what has been termed the missio dei (the mission of God). Making this a question that is more about theology proper (the study of God) than about ecclesiology (the study of the Church).
What is the mission of God?
The mission of God is only discovered when we understand who God is and what the Mystery is doing in our midst. When we join up with God reflecting the character and activity of the King of the Universe - this is when the people of God are being missional. So just looking at one story - the creation as related in Genesis 1 - what does this tell us about the mission of God? In Genesis one we see that God relates within the various parts of the Trinity. We observe that God creates. Finally God rests.
God is social. God is in essence a being who takes great care to relate. We see later that this relationship is one of unconditional love. God is committed to relationship and acts in creation with the intention of being in a meaningful relationship with creation.
God creates. In creation we see God forming a world of relationship and interdependence; reflecting the relationship and interdependence of the God-head. It also should not be skimmed over that God made all things good. Creation reflects not only that God is relational but that God is also benevolent. God made good works of art.
God rests. God establishes a pattern or a rhythm of work and rest. God took time out after speaking the universe into being to be silent and enjoy all that was made.
In light of this - does this call us to the priorities of being a social and relational community? Does this call us to focus on restoring the goodness of creation? Are we as a people to establish and observe a pattern or rhythm of work and rest? Is this the mission of God (or at least a part of it) as revealed in the work of Creation? Is this the work of God’s people: to carefully review God’s mission as revealed in Scripture and then reflect God’s character and God’s priorities in our everyday life?
To each of these questions I would reply yes. That is my understanding of being missional. It begins with who God is and appreciates what God has done and is doing; and attempts to reflect and join up in the same endeavor.
That is my 2 copper pieces on the topic… check out others - probably far more instructive and insightful!
Alan Hirsch
Alan Knox
Andrew Jones
Barb Peters
Bill Kinnon
Brad Brisco
Brad Grinnen
Brad Sargent
Brother Maynard
Bryan Riley
Chad Brooks
Chris Wignall
Cobus Van Wyngaard
Dave DeVries
David Best
David Fitch
David Wierzbicki
DoSi
Duncan McFadzean
Erika Haub
Grace
Jamie Arpin-Ricci
Jeff McQuilkin
John Smulo
Jonathan Brink
JR Rozko
Kathy Escobar
Len Hjalmarson
Makeesha Fisher
Malcolm Lanham
Mark Berry
Mark Petersen
Mark Priddy
Michael Crane
Michael Stewart
Nick Loyd
Patrick Oden
Peggy Brown
Phil Wyman
Richard Pool
Rick Meigs
Rob Robinson
Ron Cole
Scott Marshall
Stephen Shields
Steve Hayes
Tim Thompson
Thom Turner
[…] Brooks Chris Wignall Cobus Van Wyngaard Dave DeVries David Best David Fitch David Wierzbicki DoSi Doug Jones Duncan McFadzean Erika Haub Grace Jamie Arpin-Ricci Jeff McQuilkin John Smulo Jonathan Brink JR […]
[…] Brooks Chris Wignall Cobus Van Wyngaard Dave DeVries David Best David Fitch David Wierzbicki DoSi Doug Jones Duncan McFadzean Erika Haub Grace Jamie Arpin-Ricci Jeff McQuilkin John Smulo Jonathan Brink JR […]
Hi Doug,
I am under the assumption that since we are joining God in His mission that this is first and foremost connected to the Great Co-Mission. Does this fit into your social-creating-resting model?
Phil…
I think that Mt. 28:18-20 clearly fits into the whole picture - I was merely taking Genesis 1 as an example. Jesus’ call to making disciples is definitely a part of the Mission of God - but I do have a problem with defining that process as many churches do - as a twelve week program or classes 101, 201, 301, & 401… if you catch my drift.
I think that “making disciples” must be understood in light of the entirety of the Biblical Narrative - of which I think relating, creating, and resting are a part.
peace.
Dude: You know Dave & Makeesha Fisher? Dave’s a good buddy & co-worker here (as well as the original AP of the church EVERYONE here has left at one time or another. Dave’s not as jaded on the emergent movement as a result, though. :D).
Anyway: Small world.
[…] Brooks Chris Wignall Cobus Van Wyngaard Dave DeVries David Best David Fitch David Wierzbicki DoSi Doug Jones Duncan McFadzean Erika Haub Grace Jamie Arpin-Ricci Jeff McQuilkin John Smulo Jonathan Brink JR […]
carl - I don’t “know” them - but I am familiar with Makeesha’s blog - and we are becoming acquainted through - “The Daily Scribe” - so yes - and it is a small world.
Peace!
Evangelism is more than Bible study. I think evangelism is composed of approaching God (through Bible study and community), service, and love. Take any one of these away and evangelism becomes purely cognitive and an opinion of God rather than a real relationship.
I think that’s beautifully simple
How do you and Carl know each other? (oh, and it’s DAVID, not Dave 
)
Hi Makeesha,
1) Phreak (Doug to you) and I know each other via a few different music boards representing bands yr husband would be well acquainted with.
2) He said I could call him Dave. It’s OK.
Create - relate - rest. Beautiful description of our mission, God’s mission.
Reminds me of Andy Crouch’s new book on Culture Making (being released later this summer). See http://www.culture-making.com/ for info.
Thanks Doug.
nah, you just do and he doesn’t stop you cuz he’s nice like that
oh and for the record, “that church” isn’t really emerging so that’s why we’re not jaded as a result of being there
[…] It begins with who God is and appreciates what God has done and isdoing; and attempts to reflect and join up in the same endeavor. ~Doug Jones […]
Mark, thanks for the comment, encouragement and the tip on A. Crouch!
peace.
Makeesha - I made the “best of,” wow - thanks!
[…] Doug Jones reframes the question to ask, “what is the mission of God?” In order to answer this, he first discusses who God is and what he does, saying, “In Genesis one we see that God relates within the various parts of the Trinity. We observe that God creates. Finally God rests.” He then suggests that we are called to be a “social and relational community” observing a rhythm of work and rest, focused on restoring the goodness of creation, or “to carefully review God’s mission as revealed in Scripture and then reflect God’s character and God’s priorities in our everyday life.” […]
[…] to reflect God’s character and God’s priorities in our everyday life - Doug Jones […]