Vintage21 Church

Josh Lankford · Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 3

The average Christian in our culture seems to be somewhat confused about what missionality should look like. They seemed to be constantly taught about missionality with vague impractical teachings and possibly missleading analogies.

The Shepard analogy for instance seems to be commonly taught and commonly misinterpreted. Manly people go away thinking that missionality looks like a person off ministering by themselves, doesn't talk about missionality with any other believers, and is never encouraged by anyone else...yeah, i think everyone can agree that this idea is ridiculous and humanly impossible. I prefer the Israelite analogy: God's people gathered up with God's battle plan mapped out before them. they've spent countless hours in preparation and prayer because they know if any man goes in to battle unprepared or half heartily he is sure to fail. In battle they fight for their God and His people with great passion. They protect each other, pick each other up when they fall.

The vague impractical teaching can pose a difficult problem because there is more than one way to be on mission and it would be wrong to teach one way when many ways are correct. Look at Vintages way of missionality compared to the apostles; both are correct. The reason why they're different is because each is suited for the different situation. If Paul went to the capital building of Raleigh gathered everyone inside and started talking about Idols the only thing that would happen would be him getting thrown out. So Gods plan should be sought after in each situation and the plan should be shared with the church like Gods plan for vintage with Raleigh. Then there are those other spur of the moment situations that God just drops in our laps and with those we should trust that God will just speak through us.

Sry Rob kinda went on a rant there, just trying to start some posting on your forum. I'd like to hear what your guys thoughts are about this topic or any resources you know of, its very pertinent to things in my life.

Rob Davis · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 90 Location: Raleigh, NC

Hey Josh. Thanks for your thoughts. They are always welcome here.

I definitely agree, that the way the mission works itself out is going to look different in every situation. There are some common foundational ideas, but the practical side has to be fluid, dynamic. That's why a lot of dogmatic, strategic ideas don't work. The message does not change (Jude 1:3), but the methods always do.

My hope is that through the missionality class I'm teaching in May that we can think through some of these things together. My plan is to lay out some foundational, unchanging "doctrines" if you will, but then to be able to dialogue through some very practical differences in how this might look for each individual person, family, group, etc.

But, honestly, I truly believe that when a follower is at the least seriously thinking and praying through these things that they're in a much more healthy situation than most. I'll be the first to admit that I easily drift into comfort and security, and trust in the unchanging message of Jesus, without considering the changing methods I need to use to actually make Him known to as many as possible (1 Cor. 9:19). But, one without the other can actually do damage to the story that we think we're telling.
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Amy Crouch · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 20

Josh,

I agree with you wholeheartedly when you talk of the disconnect between what the Bible teaches about reaching to the world and what American churches teach. I fear that this has been an epidemic that started right at the beginning of the American Mission movement, and has been evident in our "evangelism" across our globe. Personal experiences after high school definitely gave me a bitter and critical outlook on what it meant to spread the gospel in our society.

However, in response to that, I feel that we must be able to find some hope in order to bring about change in how our churches do missions in our communities. The pattern of the Church has always been, and will always continue to be, a sinful one. God always seemed to pick out the weakest, the blackest and the least capable people to spread his gospel, for God's sovereignty must be the supreme cause of people coming to know him. I was looking at the resource list that Rob gave, and out of those have only read the books by Newbigin, but I would encourage you to take a look at them (I have them) and begin to see what our calling really becomes as believers. If the Church would begin to see how beautiful difference and variety can be in praising the Lord, i feel that they would be able to appreciate the vast kinds of cultures around and be able to minister to each one specifically and together.

I am excited to see where this topic of missionality goes. I find that it has consumed much of my thoughts, and I begin to have a hope that has been lost of 22 years.
Praise be to the Lord!

admin · Site Admin Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 38

It's good to hear someone else has read Newbigin! He's been my primary source for thinking through these things for some years now. But, here recently I picked up a book by Christopher JH Wright called "The Mission of God." It's glorious! Definitely recommended.

Amy Crouch · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 20

rd,

I actually took a class with my English professor involving a lot of Newbigin's works in response to some fiction works. Do you read fiction as well, because the books that we read were very influential in helping me to understand some of what Newbigin was addressing?

I will look into the book that you recommended as well.

When you think of missionality in this forum, are you referring specifically to the Raleigh/Durham area or are you interested in missionality in any cultural context?

Rob Davis · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 90 Location: Raleigh, NC

I definitely need to read more fiction, but I still feel like I'm gaining ground in my understanding of Scripture and how to interact with culture. I used to spend a lot more time dissecting film and music, but I've become more convinced that the mission is more about interacting with real people. I honestly think at one point in time I was excusing my laziness with people in exchange for "engaging culture." Although, the mission is more than understanding, but not less. For me, though, I am guilty of trying to understand people that I don't even know, and that's when it just becomes an intellectual game.

I hope that makes sense. I am constantly in fear of diving so far into whatever my mind wants to focus on, rather than engaging that which is right in front of my face (my family, etc.).

My hope is that through discussing the mission of God and the Church that we will have a better framework to interact with people from all walks of life. I believe we need to be aware of those truths and idols both in our own specific context and the wider contexts. So, I believe each person has a lot of responsibility. For instance, if we constantly interact with a Muslim wherever God has placed us, then we need to understand where they're coming from (which may include reading the Koran and some other Muslim writings, not reading Christian books on how "evangelize" Muslims). If we don't, then we're not being loving - we're being ethnocentric.
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