At a time when our culture (and world) feels increasingly fragmented, God continues to call the church to engage more deeply with its neighbors. Many congregations struggle with how to do this work in a way that is faithful to God and authentic to their identity. Trying to cut and paste a program from another congregation rarely works; there are too many variables. Given this reality, one of the most important issues is whether the congregation is ready for this work.
The problem is not always a lack of desire. Leaders and congregations often want to be more connected with their communities. Sometimes the problem can be a need for a deeper understanding of how to move the congregation in a missional direction. The church, like other institutions, is caught in the rapids of change. Change creates conflict. Conflict can stagnate growth and progress.
What we need are new paradigms to develop a thriving missional culture. The skills and capacities we learned in the past are incapable of helping us manage today’s crises and seize today’s opportunities.
Missional readiness involves taking a holistic approach that integrates spiritual, practical and relational dynamics. Churches that want to be more missional need to invest time and resources to equip laity. Even if a church has paid staff to lead ministry, it needs to train a broad base of its membership to understand the theological vision of God’s mission. It’s also essential to develop cultural competencies to move beyond transactional relationships so the church can build authentic connections and build trust.
Resources
Relationships are vital to sustain the work of dismantling racism
Two children’s formation leaders write that networks of training and support are crucial for the success of anti-racism efforts in faith communities.
By William Bouvel and Jennifer Holt Enriquez
How do I know whether my church is ready to innovate?
Creative churches don’t panic when things go wrong. They pivot. But how do you know whether your church is prepared for it? writes an innovation consultant.
By Carmelle Beaugelin
Cultural humility can help us become better leaders and better Christians
Cultural humility requires us to adopt a posture of learning from those who are different from ourselves, writes the Executive Director of Connectional Ministries, North Carolina Conference, UMC.
By Ismael Ruiz-Millán
Attend to what’s happening on the ground
Today’s Christian leaders need to listen to people’s stories, try small experiments and join in where new things are developing, says the founder of The Missional Network.
Q&A with Alan J. Roxburgh
Rely on the Holy Spirit in the struggle for justice
With the help of the Holy Spirit, churches can build community, welcome the stranger, love our neighbors, and break down walls of oppression and injustice, writes a theologian and professor.
By Grace Ji-Sun Kim
Before you go
Being a missional church is not about chasing a new trend in church growth. As Amy L. Sherman points out in “Agents of Flourishing,” the Bible is “all about mission.” From Genesis to Revelation, God’s people are constantly being called from one place to another to serve God’s purpose in the world. In Genesis, God called Abram to leave home (12:1). In Jeremiah, God told the exiles to “seek the welfare of the city…” (29:7 NRSVUE). I know it’s not easy to lead congregations away from the familiar, but this is the work we are called to do. Missional leadership requires us to be adept at conflict management and building trust. It requires courage and commitment to our own spiritual transformation. So continue to proclaim the gospel’s message of hope and justice until the Spirit blows a fresh wind of change. God is faithful.
You can always reach me and the Alban Weekly team at alban@duke.edu. Until next week, keep leading!
Prince R. Rivers
Editor, Alban at Duke Divinity