By now you’ve probably heard the phrase “Missional Community” and responded in one of two ways:
1 – Not interested.
2- Interested….BUT…
This series of posts is for those of you out there unmotivated, unaware, or unsure about launching Missional Communities with your students.
(You can find more foundational information on Missionary Communities in this brilliant series of posts from 3DM GLobal Director – Mike Breen)
Let’s begin by debunking a common misconception – “Missional Communities are the latest and most effective trend for relevant, contemporary churches.” This is absolutely FALSE. If anything, Missional Communities are a return to a way of life deeply rooted in Scripture that resemble the sociological patterns of the early Church. Although this resurgence has become buzz worthy, it is far from a fad. In fact, when we hold the pages of The Book of Acts up to our current expression of Student Ministry – we might see something vastly different. Perhaps we have already bought into way too many trends, fads, and unscriptural approaches to ministry that do not resemble the biblical patterns set in motion by Jesus and His disciples.
As you follow Christ through the Gospels, two common themes arise: The first is Relationship. Jesus had an intimate and vital connection with His Father and would often withdraw in solitude to pray. This relationship defined His identity and determined His obedience. Jesus also opened up His life to twelve disciples and taught them how to do the things He could do. They had an all access pass into the good, the bad, and the ugly. Through their proximity to the Son of God, they gained the necessary capital to continue what He began by building relationships with others. Jesus also had relationships with those the world treated as the lost, last, and least. He was a friend to society’s enemies. People trapped in sin and scandal found hope, love, and reconciliation through their relationship with Jesus.
The second theme we see in the life of Jesus is Representation. Jesus not only walked with His Father, the God of Creation, He also fully represented Him. He told listeners that if they had seen Him, then they had seen the Father. Jesus only did what He saw His Father do. He walked in full authority over darkness, demons, and disease. Spiritual power flowed through Him in abundance and could be released simply by brushing up against His clothes with a little faith. He understood the Father’s redemptive mission and surrendered His life and will to it. He ushered in the Kingdom of God bringing Salvation, healing, and deliverance to those desperately searching for it. He then commissioned His followers to continue making disciples that would walk as God’s representatives for generations to come.
With all that being said, I ask you to prayerfully and soberly examine what values you are currently communicating (both in word and in action) to your students BEFORE you try to roll out new vehicles – like Missional Communities. Walk through your current youth facilities and look at them carefully. Are they conducive to the values of Jesus? Track how you spend your time. Are you actively discipling others into the lifestyle of Jesus? Examine your passion. Do you have enough missional zeal to pioneer something this extraordinary? Check your heart. Do you actually care about the unsaved in your area enough to change how you approach youth ministry?
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