Thoughts and musings from the journey of a missional church pastor
How To Kill Your Missional Community
“If we develop a church bent on serving the saved, then the already blessed people will come wanting more blessings… only Christians want forty Christian programs to choose from.”
I desire to follow Jesus Christ through this adventure of life by loving God and loving others. I'm a dad, husband, and Presbyterian pastor.
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9 thoughts on “How To Kill Your Missional Community”
This focus on killing and making decisions based on fear is troubling.
Where is the love? Where is the compassion of Jesus?
Jesus had compassion on the multitudes who were “sheep without a shepherd.” He healed, taught, and miraculously provided food.
However, when the multitudes demanded to be fed (again), He pointed them towards Heavenly Manna. He had compassion … until they tried to crown Him the Welfare King.
However, Jesus also told Peter: “If you love Me, feed My sheep.” Sheep (even saved sheep) still need to be fed. They still need a compassionate shepherd.
John 21
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”
__________
In Acts, The early church did not grow until the needs of the older sheep (widows) were met first.
Acts 6
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.
3 Brothers and sisters, choose SEVEN MEN men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them
4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
___________________
When the disciples took care of a the practical matter of distributing food to widows, THEN the “number of disciples increased rapidly.”
Peter (and the other disciples) obeyed Jesus’ command to “feed My Sheep.” When they obeyed, God multiplied the church just as He multiplied the bread and loaves.
After all, true religion is taking care of the “widows and orphans.”
James 1: 27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Thank you for your comments Juanita. I don’t think that the use of “kill” in the link title was meant to be literal. I did not take Jen’s comments as meaning that we should discourage love or encourage decisions made in fear, but rather that if we become inward focused we may draw in more Christians instead of reaching those that have yet to experience Christ.
Juanita, no she is not my “mentor.” I posted this “link” because it is simply one of many that I found interesting as we continue the dialogue of what it means to be a missional church.
I think what she means is this: We have limited time and people “resources.” We only have 24 hours in the day, and if we use 8 of those on leading programs for believers then are we using our “resources” effectively for reaching the lost? Likewise, if we use all of our leaders to run programs in a church building, then are we really working to build the kingdom of God among those that have not yet heard or believed?
Jesus said (John 9: 4-5) “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
John 12:35-36
Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you.
Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them…
Jesus also talked to His disciples about the Prince of this world coming; the time of “day” when the Light of the World was nearing SON-set.
John 14: 30 “I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me…”
I understand there is a time frame provided by God. A structure of day/night and seasons.
In terms of resources and the rush to harvest before night/winter… Jesus said the harvest was great and the workers are few and asked followers to pray to the Lord of the Harvest for more workers.
If God wants the harvest accomplished, will He not do the sending out of workers?
Matt. 9
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had COMPASSION on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
I agree that time shouldn’t be wasted on building programs. Jesus didn’t set up churches with buildings. As a matter of fact, He told His disciples the existing temple would be torn down. Jesus also told the Samaritan woman at the well that God wants worship in “Spirit and truth” as opposed to on a mountain site or temple.
John 4
21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
23… Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
The “Builder” is designing a new temple of LIVING stones. The victorious believers are the stones.
Rev. 3: 9 12 “The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it.”
I agree with the idea of timing and the need for workers. However, I am troubled by the focus on death, fear, cynicism, consumerism/resources and the lack of faith in the Lord God Almighty to provide for those whom He loves and has called.
If the church needs resources and workers, should we not pray in the unity of the Spirit? We need each other. Every part, even the “old believers” are important and not to be despised. (1 Cor. 12)
Romans 8
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
More Than Conquerors
31 ” What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
There is supposed to be no fear in love. “Perfect love casts out (the spirit of?) fear.” However, this video leaves me feeling sick and discouraged. How is Jesus uplifted by her message?
Jesus said (John 12:32) “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
Our job is to lift up Jesus. He will draw the seekers.
P.S. I got on the VERGE Network and found this talk on praying for the Holy Spirit… praying for boldness to speak like Peter and Paul. (Platt and Chan)
(As Paul encouraged Timothy, we are not given the spirit of fear but of love and a sound mind.)
Amen! I can’t help but cringe when I hear believers insist the church exists for their own (or its own) benefit, first and foremost. OK, so maybe they don’t SAY that outright necessarily, but you’ll see it reflected in their lives!
While a body of believers does have the responsibility to continually “build each other up”, all such activities should never be the end goals, that is, terminating with the believers. It’s a real danger to spend an inordinate amount of resources doing things that are “churchy” because the original mission gets lost.
When I find myself participating in, or leading, some activity at my church, I often think “why is this important; how does it further the Kingdom of God?”
Beadle Bailey's Babblings 
This focus on killing and making decisions based on fear is troubling.
Where is the love? Where is the compassion of Jesus?
Jesus had compassion on the multitudes who were “sheep without a shepherd.” He healed, taught, and miraculously provided food.
However, when the multitudes demanded to be fed (again), He pointed them towards Heavenly Manna. He had compassion … until they tried to crown Him the Welfare King.
However, Jesus also told Peter: “If you love Me, feed My sheep.” Sheep (even saved sheep) still need to be fed. They still need a compassionate shepherd.
John 21
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”
__________
In Acts, The early church did not grow until the needs of the older sheep (widows) were met first.
Acts 6
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.
3 Brothers and sisters, choose SEVEN MEN men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them
4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
___________________
When the disciples took care of a the practical matter of distributing food to widows, THEN the “number of disciples increased rapidly.”
Peter (and the other disciples) obeyed Jesus’ command to “feed My Sheep.” When they obeyed, God multiplied the church just as He multiplied the bread and loaves.
After all, true religion is taking care of the “widows and orphans.”
James 1: 27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
What is God asking of the churches in Revelation?
Seeking Jesus, Juanita Loney
Thank you for your comments Juanita. I don’t think that the use of “kill” in the link title was meant to be literal. I did not take Jen’s comments as meaning that we should discourage love or encourage decisions made in fear, but rather that if we become inward focused we may draw in more Christians instead of reaching those that have yet to experience Christ.
Brandon,
It sounds like you have found your mentor in this woman preacher/speaker.
Is she a prophetic voice or mentor for your new church plant?
Is her voice inspired by the Holy Spirit? What is her “fruit”?
As you study the “missional model” of Jesus of Nazareth, where did He spend most of His time and energy?
Seeking to be one with Jesus, Juanita Loney
Juanita, no she is not my “mentor.” I posted this “link” because it is simply one of many that I found interesting as we continue the dialogue of what it means to be a missional church.
P.S. If the church resources are considered so limited, where is the faith in the God who provides? Doesn’t He still do miracles today?
I think what she means is this: We have limited time and people “resources.” We only have 24 hours in the day, and if we use 8 of those on leading programs for believers then are we using our “resources” effectively for reaching the lost? Likewise, if we use all of our leaders to run programs in a church building, then are we really working to build the kingdom of God among those that have not yet heard or believed?
Brandon,
I understand the concept of the limits of time.
Jesus said (John 9: 4-5) “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
John 12:35-36
Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you.
Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them…
Jesus also talked to His disciples about the Prince of this world coming; the time of “day” when the Light of the World was nearing SON-set.
John 14: 30 “I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me…”
I understand there is a time frame provided by God. A structure of day/night and seasons.
In terms of resources and the rush to harvest before night/winter… Jesus said the harvest was great and the workers are few and asked followers to pray to the Lord of the Harvest for more workers.
If God wants the harvest accomplished, will He not do the sending out of workers?
Matt. 9
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had COMPASSION on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
I agree that time shouldn’t be wasted on building programs. Jesus didn’t set up churches with buildings. As a matter of fact, He told His disciples the existing temple would be torn down. Jesus also told the Samaritan woman at the well that God wants worship in “Spirit and truth” as opposed to on a mountain site or temple.
John 4
21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
23… Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
The “Builder” is designing a new temple of LIVING stones. The victorious believers are the stones.
Rev. 3: 9 12 “The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it.”
I agree with the idea of timing and the need for workers. However, I am troubled by the focus on death, fear, cynicism, consumerism/resources and the lack of faith in the Lord God Almighty to provide for those whom He loves and has called.
If the church needs resources and workers, should we not pray in the unity of the Spirit? We need each other. Every part, even the “old believers” are important and not to be despised. (1 Cor. 12)
Romans 8
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
More Than Conquerors
31 ” What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
There is supposed to be no fear in love. “Perfect love casts out (the spirit of?) fear.” However, this video leaves me feeling sick and discouraged. How is Jesus uplifted by her message?
Jesus said (John 12:32) “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
Our job is to lift up Jesus. He will draw the seekers.
Juanita Loney
P.S. I got on the VERGE Network and found this talk on praying for the Holy Spirit… praying for boldness to speak like Peter and Paul. (Platt and Chan)
(As Paul encouraged Timothy, we are not given the spirit of fear but of love and a sound mind.)
Have you seen/heard this one?
http://www.vergenetwork.org/2012/10/30/prayer-the-holy-spirit-and-boldness-platt-and-chan/
Amen! I can’t help but cringe when I hear believers insist the church exists for their own (or its own) benefit, first and foremost. OK, so maybe they don’t SAY that outright necessarily, but you’ll see it reflected in their lives!
While a body of believers does have the responsibility to continually “build each other up”, all such activities should never be the end goals, that is, terminating with the believers. It’s a real danger to spend an inordinate amount of resources doing things that are “churchy” because the original mission gets lost.
When I find myself participating in, or leading, some activity at my church, I often think “why is this important; how does it further the Kingdom of God?”