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What is the difference between a church being described as Missional vs. On Mission? Is there a difference? Are we just arguing over the interpretations of evangelical buzz-words? Are we like the people Paul described to Timothy in 1 Tim 6:4? “He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions…”
It is commonly thought that the emergent movement in Christianity originally coined the word Missional. Given the suspicion and sometimes hostility between the emergent movement and the traditional modern church, we could see this as an area of conflict. However, if we look to see what each position has to offer, we might be richer for it.
Missional is something that you are. On Mission is something that you do. Missional is a way of life. On Mission a way you implement that way of life.
Why is this distinction important? Compartmentalization. To be a church On Mission is to be a church that participates in mission activities. This can have the effect of compartmentalizing the fulfillment of the Great Commission to only these activities. This can lead us away from the Jesus model in which every daily activity is an opportunity to share the love of God with the people we meet. To be Missional is to have a missionary mindset in your daily life. Ordering a burger at Hardees is just as much an opportunity for sharing the love of God as is going to Africa on a mission trip.
A very short definition of Missional is “Live your faith. Share your life.”[1]
If we can transform the culture of our church so that each person becomes Missional, then we will automatically become a church On Mission. Think how much easier it would be to fill up the roster of a mission trip, or any other mission activity, if everyone was Missional.
My current pastor said “Missional is just a new word for a very old idea.”[2] He was right. Jesus is our perfect example of being Missional. While the emergent movement is correct in its assertion that the traditional modern church has strayed from this idea to a degree, it has not been lost. There are many Missional people in the traditional modern church, whether they use that word to describe themselves or not. However, we should thank the emergent movement for reminding us of the importance of a non-compartmentalized, 24/7 commitment to sharing the love of God with everyone we meet.
Steve Jernigan
[1] Brother Maynard. “Missional — A Shorter Definition.” Subversive Influence. Available from http://subversiveinfluence.com/?p=1608. Internet; accessed 21 February 2009.
[2] Dr. Ron Madison from his introduction to a Sunday School training seminar on Missional Sunday School.
