From Jason Salamun's Blog
The missional church is a new idea
Perhaps the word, "missional" is a recent discovery to our vernacular, but it's been around for a while (since the 1800's). However, the command to "Go and make disciples..." has been around for a couple of thousand years. And the missio dei, the mission of God, has been around since the fall of humanity. It's not a new idea. It's a return to an ancient call to be the church Jesus had in mind. No trend here, just obedience.
The missional church believes gathering for worship is unnecessary
The misunderstanding here is the shift in thinking, "it's all about Sunday" to "it's all about everyday including Sundays." A church that doesn't worship Jesus is no church at all. But let's not limit worship to an hour a week. That kind of dualistic thinking and lifestyle is a dangerous pool to swim in and doesn't mesh with Scripture. The truth is missional churches do worship Jesus by assembling together- it just doesn't end there.
The missional church is about raking leaves and hanging out in homes
Well...actually...that's true. But it's incomplete. The missional church intends to advance the gospel abeit through public gatherings, house parties, loving thy neighbor, serving their city, or having coffee with a friend. Whatever it takes to love God and others. Missional church doesn't need a leaf-raking church program to help the elderly couple across the street. They just do it.
The missional church isn't attractional
Imagination flows heavy in missional church. So does creativity. I'm not sure where the idea came from that missional church can't (or won't) have compelling environments. Perhaps the notion came from the correct rejection of reducing the church to being a big show or a building. Maybe it has something to do with replacing language like "we go to church" with "we are the church." Nonetheless, missional church believes the most attractive environments are created when they are filled with compelling people.
The missional church isn't concerned about church growth
Any missional church that doesn't intend "to go and make disciples..." isn't missional. Any missional church that intends to be a holy huddle (i.e. us 4 no more) isn't missional. Actually, the opposite is true. All missional churches want to reach people far from God. As many as possible. And if that's happening, the Church will grow. You can't make disciples without people believing in Jesus in the first place. But with missional church, it doesn't end there. Missional church is about two things: first steps and next steps. Getting thousands to an event isn't church growth (concerts can do that), but making thousands of disciples is. That's what missional church is committed to.
The missional church is a church model
Cookie cutter approaches are rare in missional church. What works in one city, may not work in another. True missional churches know their context. They've studied their culture and the rhythms of the people in their city. They look at the streams of people who aren't connected to Jesus (or a church) and ask, "How can we meet them where they are?" The answer to that question will result is various methods, approaches, and styles. And the missional church has to continually pay attention to the ever-changing rapids of their culture- which means their methods will change as well. That said, my hope is that missional churches not just change with culture- but that we change culture. That's our challenge.
