How do missional churches create missional ministries? What are missional ministries? How are they similar and different from what we are doing now in most churches? What are the characteristics of a missional member – missionary? Why is missional in vogue now? What are the consequences and benefits of creating missional ministries in 2008?  These and other questions will be the focus of our 2008 Deacon Ministry Newsletters.

What’s All This About Missional Ministries?
   
Missional Ministries is about outgrowing ingrown churches and moving churches and leadership from being so maintenance minded to being mission minded.  That is to say many, if not most, churches in North America have become too focused on ‘taking care of us’ rather than ‘reaching them (those outside the church membership).  Missional ministries is about making this shift and beginning to have more impact on the unchurched world than most churches have had in the past several decades.  I discuss the need for these shifts and give other practical handles for making the shift in my new book as well as my website www.transformingsolutions.org

What are Missional Ministries?

Missional ministries are programs, outreach strategies and hands on ministry experiences that are intentionally designed and conducted to mobilize the church membership as missionaries in their workplaces, communities, families, friendship circles and the world at large.  Such ministries are more concerned about reaching the hurting, homeless, those with economic, family, social or legal troubles who may or may not be believers.  Becoming active and fully present in the society in which we live and work is a way we live into the commands of Christ to ‘be salt, light and leaven in the world’. We are now living in a post Christian culture, a secular culture that needs our presence in the world. If the church is to move forward in this culture we have to move out of our pews and committee meetings into the streets filled with struggles.  We must impact those who are facing social, economic and political injustices because of their race, creed or tradition. Learning to impact a world that does not value who we are is a steep learning curve and calls forth faith that we have not had to use in the security of our safe sanctuaries.
   
Here are some links and new resources you might want to explore that are built on missional philosophy of ministry and church:
Why Church Matters: Worship,  Ministry and Missions in Practice by Jonathan Wilson, 2007
The Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation by Carol Merritt, 2007
Servant Evangelism ideas http://www.servantevangelism.com/main.cfm
Spiritual Leadership in a Secular Age: Building Bridges Instead of Barriers by Edward Hammett www.transformingsolutions.org

What Does It Take To Make the Shift to Missional Ministry?

Most Christians like to talk about missions and missionaries more than becoming engaged or being a missionary. Most of us didn’t join a church or accept Christ to become a missionary or to be more aware of persons outside our churches than inside our churches.  So the first shift is in what it means to be a Christian, a church member. Baptism is to become our commissioning and calling into missions.  Now…I’m quiet certain these shifts are not going to happen overnight but we must get clearer on what membership policies and practices really involve for our church to accomplish the mission God has for us today.

Secondly, a change of values and heart is likely to be needed by many.  For instance focusing on others outside our walls is a tough stretch for those of us who want to be cared for – after all we do ‘pay the bills of the church’.  This is a tough shift and it’s just the beginning.  My Making the Church Work book is designed to help make this shift happen www.transformingsolutions.org .  You might also look at Bill Easum’s Unfreezing Moves www.easumbandy.com for guidance and retreat materials to help leaders see the shifts needed.  (to be continued in February newsletter)

NEW BOOK RELEASED November, 2007
Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60: Being Church for all Generations by Edward H. Hammett and James R. Pierce was published by Chalice Press.  Available on at our eStore
A resource for church leaders and church members. The book is filled with practical and proven ideas for churches who desire to minister effectively to all generations without isolating or ignoring any age group. Released 2007.
©Eddie Hammett, www.transformingsolutions.org and www.ncbaptist.org