What Are We Doing?

There's a new catch word in the christian world today...... missional. What does that mean? For so many this means going places and doing things for those that are "less fortunate." But is this really what God meant when he said to go and make disciples of all nations?

I've always felt there was more to my calling as a Christ follower than to just go and do. The church I grew up in seemed to be a place where those who were privileged enough to be visited and invited to come back could join and become part of that family. But what about "the family," not just that family. My thoughts were constantly going back to... what about my friends that aren't at this church? I may not have acted on those convictions all the time, but I was always wondering what it would look like for the church to infiltrate the culture around us.

I've been reading the book Missional Renaissance by Reggie McNeal. It has some incredible insight into what it looks like to be the church in our culture. One of the things that has really resonated with me is the statement that "people deserve to be blessed simply because they are people, not just so we can witness to them." Look at that statement. How many times do we "minister" to people with the intent of bringing them into our church family? That is so not Jesus.

God wants relationship with people and He has put us in charge of bringing that message to everyone.... whether they go to our church or not. When he called us to be His messengers, I believe He meant that to be anywhere we go. We have to be engaged in all aspects of life.

Being in student ministry is unique. Our students are influenced by so many people and things. When we cast our nets we have to be ready to catch all kinds of fish. Some will be in great shape, and some may be broken and bruised. But when they get to the place that God has given us to meet, they must feel that they can come there and drop off the baggage they've been left with and leave free. I'm afraid that sometimes we add baggage to their collection by condemning the actions from which they long to be freed. God wants people to come to Him so that He can free them from what hurts.

Jesus left a heavenly home to come to this jacked up world. The world that we jacked up. Don't forget that none of this was in the original plan, God has been in the redemption business for a long time. Each of us have had much to do with messing the place up. Therefore.... each of us have a responsibility to help lead and guide each other. I want a student ministry that resembles the island of misfit toys. None of us could cast the first stone, so why even pick up the rock in the first place.

Loving each other is not an option, it is a command. Sometimes we have to get our hands dirty. There will be kids show up at our building in need of everything but another condemning voice in their lives. Rather than condemn the actions, lets help them find the redemption that God offers and has been offering since the garden. Lead them to Jesus and allow Him to do the cleaning. Being the church... not just doing church..... that's missional.