Philosophy of Ministry (original) (raw)
The term missional has been used to describe a range of ministry aspects and is applied to multiple contexts and settings by churches and various groups with a variety of motivations. It appears to be one of the catch phrases of choice spanning the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and with its diverse usage, the term missional has become a generic description for many things, yet it lacks a cohesive definition. Constructing a working definition for missional is essential for understanding and identifying its use and for application in evangelical churches.
Most church leaders readily recognize that God has tasked churches with several different purposes, yet how those purposes work together has equally mystified them. One of the most potentially difficult ministry relationships to reconcile has been that between worship and evangelism. The church growth movement addressed the issue by insisting that a church's primary service should be an evangelistic meeting designed to attract and meet the needs of "seekers." This perspective drew fire from some who argued that this ignores worship altogether, others who complained that believers were not discipled, and still others who claimed that this "attractional" model of evangelism just did not work. 2 In the past twenty years a new movement has emerged in evangelical Christianity that has reshaped the conversation in subtle yet profound ways by suggesting that these two priorities of a church are not separate but in fact essentially connected, subsumed under the umbrella of the mission of God. This missional church movement has significantly altered discourse about evangelism and worship, influencing the evangelical church with both a new posture toward culture in general and a new vocabulary regarding every aspect of its existence. Instead of wrestling with how different aspects of a church's ministry relate to one another, missional church advocates explore how each ministry relates to the overarching idea of "mission."
This article describes the results of a research project for a PhD at the University of Pretoria, under supervision of Prof Nelus Niemandt. The research was done against the backdrop of huge paradigm shifts within society and missiology and within the context of the South-African Partnership of Missional Churches (SAPMC). The importance, role, and core capacities of the congregational minister towards the successful formation of a missional congregational culture were explored and identified. Part 1 (previous issue) described the importance and fourfold role of the minister as cultivator of a missional congregational culture, as identified by the research. This issue (Part 2) continues to describe the core capacities needed for the fulfillment of this fourfold role for the pastor as missional leader. It also describes the illustrative journey of a congregation within the SAPMC towards missional formation.
Development of a Spiritual Formation Model for the Members of a Missional Church
Abstract (Summary) The purpose of this dissertation is to answer the question: 'What does a spiritual formation model for the members of a missional church entail so that members of a church are transformed into missional Christians?' Community Life Church Cherrybrook (CLCC) in Sydney Australia is a twenty three year old established church that, generally speaking, has been engaging in an attractional paradigm. Over the last few years the church has slowly been moving towards a missional paradigm that affirms the biblical view of the church as a group of God's people sent into the world to be on mission with him. The author has become convinced that a primary way for the church to further engage with the missional paradigm is for its members to adopt a spiritual formation model in order for new practices to be learnt which will form people into missionaries within their context. By correctly viewing the church essentially as a body of people who are 'sent into' the world on God's mission, the church can once again regain its purpose to be a light in our world and an active witness to the kingdom of God. The ministry project will therefore identify formational missional spirituality practices emerging from a missional theology that a sample of people from CLCC can engage in, so that transformation from a non-missional expression of Christianity to a more missional expression can occur. An analysis of the biblical and theological material will show that there is support for a missional spiritual formation model of the church. A preliminary review of the literature on the missional church and practices will also reveal that support for a missional spirituality exists. Based on this, a model for the spiritual formation of a missional church will be formed according to an approach which seeks to produce missional formation through a series of practices and subsequent reflection on those actions. Finally, an assessment will be used to gauge at the final stages of the project the extent to which the participants have moved from non-missional expression of Christianity to a more missional paradigm.
The Ministry of the Missional Church: A Community Led by the Spirit
Mission Studies, 2009
The purpose of this ministry focus paper was to help Heathmont Baptist Church become a missional, disciple-making congregation, through the formation of a missional understanding and through transforming small groups from being inwardly-oriented to being outwardly-focused as disciples in mission. Heathmont and its surrounding suburbs are typical of metropolitan Melbourne, with a family orientation and homes on a quarterof -an-acre block. The potential for a renewed effort to engage missionally in the community is real, however rising agnosticism and atheism along with consumerism and individualism provides an ever increasing challenge. To address this, this paper created a strategy for cultivating a refocus on mission and discipleship with the purpose of seeing people from the wider community becoming Christ-followers. Central to the strategy was the formation of missional understanding amongst members of the congregation and the redevelopment of small groups. Part One told the history and current description of Heathmont Baptist Church. It described the development of the vision of a church towards mission. Cultural challenges were also outlined. Part Two established the theological foundations for this project, including ecclesiological influences and patterns from the Baptist framework. This section focused on the theological examination of discipleship and the implications of this for Christian community and mission. The relevance of these conclusions to the project strategy were outlined. Part Three described the strategy, goals, plan and implementation of the project. This section outlined the specifics of the project -a teaching program to shape missional understanding, and small group participation with a model that would enable members to express Christian community as disciples in mission. Part three covered the project's timeline, structure and leadership resourcing. This section also provided careful assessment of the project, including reflection on lessons learned and consideration of future steps. Words: 295 Content Reader: Dr. Graham Buxton iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank Heathmont Baptist Church for the generous contribution of time, resources and support towards the completion of this project. I am grateful to belong to a community of faith willing to dream the dream and do the work of following Jesus Christ in His mission that we might see the transformation in people's lives. Thank you to my assistant Melanie for her generous support with the time, energy and editing assistance she provided. Thanks also to the staff at the Doctor of Ministry office for their willing availability to offer assistance. Special thanks to my wife and partner Sue, who over the lengthy period of my studies has always been eager to encourage and support my journey. Thank you for being the faithful, loving and fun companion you have been in our 23 years of marriage. And thank you to my eleven-year-old son Ricky who displayed great patience and understanding in the demanding final year of my study, and for making me those cups of coffee to keep me "keeping on." v
Mission and Evangelism - Oxford Handbook to Evangelical Theology 2010
The term "mission"-derived from the Latin verb, missio , meaning "send"-came into general use in its specifi cally Christian and theological sense only in the sixteenth century, when the Roman Catholic Jesuit order used the term to refer to the sending of its members to preach, instruct, serve, and win converts. 1 The term "evangelism," by contrast, is based on biblical vocabulary, specifi cally the Greek terms euanggelion ("gospel"), euanggelizo ("preach good news"), and euanggelistes ("one who preaches good news" or "evangelist"). In its Old Testament sense (as in the Septuagint version of Isaiah 52:7-10) euanggelizo evokes a powerful and dramatic image. The city of Jerusalem is at war. The people eagerly await news from the army fi ghting on their behalf. Sentries stand on the city walls, scanning the horizon for signs of an approaching messenger. At last the long-awaited messenger (the euanggelistes ) appears on the hills surrounding the city and bears good news. The army has won and their victory is also God's victory: "Your God reigns!" The entire city erupts into celebration. 2 The word "evangelism," despite its varied use over time, in its original sense refers to a joyful message of God's gracious and peaceable reign.
2015
The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the disconnection of Christian doctrine from both the practices internal to congregational life, and the church's external mission, particularly in Episcopal and Anglican congregations; and discuss how the synthesis of basic Christian practices, the contextual reframing of baptismal vows, and the teaching of doctrine as narrative can work toward their reintegration among the members of congregations. It begins with a discussion of how the three areas have become disconnected in late modernity, using the insights of philosopher Charles Taylor and his concept of "social imaginaries." What is suggested is that the Christian social imaginary has been subverted by modern secularist ones. This theory is expanded by critique of the approaches of both traditionalist and progressive Anglicans in dealing with it. A theoretical framework is discussed presenting doctrine as the vision, end, or telos which is pursued by the intentions of believers, and is shaped by a set of basic practices. The vision is framed as doctrine reframed as the narrative of God's mission, with its proper end being the Reign of God, rather than focus upon propositions. Intentions are explored through the classical promises made at baptism, and the vows of monasticism, together with discussion of a set of basic practices and their role in Christian formation. Vision, intention, and practices are discussed in terms of knowing the story of God, committing to that story, and participating in it. A narrative scriptural theology provides the vision, and becomes a common doctrinal core. Intention is pursued through reframing baptismal vows. The basic practices discussed are Eucharist, the Daily Office, Lectio Divina, ministry to and with the marginalized and poor, and indwelling neighborhoods as places of mission. The proposals are then discussed the larger issues of leadership and further strategies for implementation.
Recovering the Missional Church
The Free Methodist Church in Canada, 2004
An early denominational white paper in which I examine accepted practices regarding local church and mission agency inter-relatedness. An integrated model is discussed in light of present realities. I suggested a model of missional church in which local church engagement in mission is empowered by the specialist mission agency rather than vice versa.
A Case study in Missional Praxis - Beach Mission Presbyterian Church
2013
Un ni iv ve er rs si it ty y o of f P Pr re et to or ri ia a III 2. CHAPTER 2-CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Defining Frameworks 2.3 The Life of Mission 2.4 Mission in the Cape Colony 2.5 Mission in the UPCSA 2.5 Conclusion 3. CHAPTER 3-MISSIONAL CHURCH AND POLITY 3.1 Introduction 3.2 The Concept of the Missional Church 3.3 Missional Polity 3.4 Conclusion 4. CHAPTER 4-UPCSA MISSIONAL IDENTITY 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Life of the UPCSA 4.3 Polity of the UPCSA 100 4.4 Conclusion 107 5. CHAPTER 5-RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS 5.1 Introduction 111 5.2 Beach Mission Presbyterian Church 112 5.3 Research Question and Hypothesis 123 © © U Un ni iv ve er rs si it ty y o of f P Pr re et to or ri ia a IV 5.4 Research Method 5.5 Procedure for Collecting Data 5.6 Data Analysis and Findings 5.7 How can Beach Mission Presbyterian Church embark on a journey towards becoming a missional church? 5.8 What is the role of Leadership? 5.9 Conclusion 6. CHAPTER 6-CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 7. BIBLIOGRAPHY 156
Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif, 2013
At the beginning of the 21st century, many different voices have been drawing our attention to two realities that are shaping the future of Christianity: the centre of gravity for the Christian faith has shifted to the global South and to the East; and the church in Western societies has been pushed to the margins and is facing serious decline (Guder 1998, 1). Many are asking themselves, "what are the implications of these facts for the future of the church in western culture?" For many, the term "missional" has begun to capture the imagination of the church in the West. Rather than find "missional" as a new programmatic or methodological solution for the church today, something at the foundational level needs to be discerned, namely, "who we are and what we are for" (Guder 1998, 3). Discernment 2 of the church's identity and vocation is a critical task facing us today. In the previous article, the Emergent Church movement was engaged in order to summarize its important contributions toward the recovery of a missional identity and vocation of the church in the West. In this article, the Missional Church movement as observed in the North American scenario will be engaged and its contributions toward the development of a missional identity and vocation for the church in the West will be summarized.
2018
This project explores the thesis that a corporately shared experience of mission outside the life of a local congregation increases congregational vitality inside the life of a congregation. The context for this research project is a new initiative of St. George's Episcopal Church in Nashville, Tennessee: the creation of a network of parish-based Missional Communities (MCs). These emerging, mid-sized, and lay-led congregational groups seek to be visible forms of intentional community within the parish that are constituted around a clearly articulated dual desire for deepened internal fellowship and robust missional outreach. Seeking first to ground the development of MCs within theoretical claims about the nature of a local church body, this work then reviews the genesis and development of MCs at St. George's, evaluates the experiences of MC leaders and participants derived from interview and survey information, and finally posits learnings from this ministry initiative as well as questions raised by the study. The research question at the heart of this study investigates in what ways the outward orientation and ministry of Missional Communities at St. George's Church shape participants' understanding and experience of fellowship within the local congregation. Exploration of the question involve engagement with three primary and related theological concerns: 1) the essential sociological nature of the Christian life; 2) the need to identify, mentor, and equip congregational leaders to become disciple-makers of other members in the church; and 3) the priority of mission and evangelism as the end of Christian fellowship. These three themes build on one another to shape both the theological basis for understanding MCs at St. George's Church as well as the criteria for evaluating research data concerning the relationship between internal fellowship and missional engagements. I must also acknowledge the sense of holy privilege I feel sharing in ministry with beloved clergy colleagues, the Reverends Kristine Blaess, Michael Blaess, Sam Adams, and Clint Wilson. Their loyalty to me and commitment to the vision behind this project has been essential.
Journal for Missional Practise, 2014
This article describes the journey of a congregational minister in his or her search for the essence of missional leadership. The journey led to a research project for a PhD at the University of Pretoria under supervision of Prof Nelus Niemandt. The research was done against the context of huge paradigm shifts within society and missiology, described by the WCC as a ‘changed landscape’, and within the context of the South-African Partnership of Missional Churches (SAPMC). The goal of the partnership is to equip congregational leaders with the capacities necessary for the journey of spiritual discernment and faith formation. The research recognised the changes within congregational partners of the SAPMC and explored the importance and role of the congregational minister towards the successful transformation of congregational culture. It went on to identify the core capacities needed for the role and these are described in part 2 of the article which will be published in Spring 2015.
BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF CHURCH AND MINISTRY
The search for Biblical principles of church and ministry proves to be elusive. By correlating the socio-historic situation during the pre-modern, modern and postmodern eras with various models of ecclesiastical organisation, all attempting to be scripture based, it becomes obvious that factors of context co-determines organisational behaviour. Post-modern spirituality demands structures which may be transitory, fluid and open to serve values like inclusivity, pluralism, intellectualism, the free flow of information, transparency, accountability, creativity, and diversity.
How Should Missional Church Theology Impact Church Worship?
2013
This King's College London dissertation (for MA in Contemporary Worship) aims to explore how Missional Church theology might impact the practice of Christian worship. In church many settings, the relationship between worship and mission remains unclear and often the two can appear to be in conflict, or the agenda for one can consume the other. Therefore it is important to understand how they ought to interrelate, and how this relationship might be worked out in practice. The project begins by exploring an outline of missio Dei and Missional ecclesiology, making use of theological and missiological scholarship from the past century. It then takes two practical approaches to Missional church worship and critiques them in the light of Missional theology, and each another. The first example is termed "outside out", the model of mid-sized, Mission Shaped Communities. This is contrasted with the "inside out" approach, where the locus of mission is the gathered liturgical assembly. The central argument is that these two approaches represent poles which ought to be held together in tension. Both models have validity and can learn from each other. The former places the emphasis on mission, and the latter puts its focus on a form of gathered worship. The project concludes that we must not collapse these two terms into one another, but rather hold them as distinctive and yet interdependent facets of the church’s calling.
This paper aims to explore whether the implementation of missional practices into the smallest unit of a congregation, its small groups, can aid in bringing about a missional paradigm shift within a local congregation. Missional revitalisation is often sought through top-down initiatives however research has highlighted the role spiritual disciplines could play in this change process, leaning on Bourdieu’s concept of Habitus. Using an action research methodology this research sought to test this in the context of a resistant congregation by implementing four practices in line with previously set missional values of the church. The implementation of these practices led to an increase of behaviour in line with the four values. In particular, the structured accountability practices in small groups enabled people to grow in their ability to identify God at work in their midst, as well as learning to reflect on their actions and apply their learning to future experiences in a way that demonstrated an increased understanding of their missional identity as God’s people. This research suggests that alongside other initiatives, focusing on practices and habits is persuasive and effective in enabling God’s people to further understand and embody their missional identity.
Missional Focus, Form and Function are Redefining American Christianity
2017
American Christianity is facing unprecedented challenges in the twenty-first century as it is confronted with the increasing secularization of society, and attempts to respond to a post-Christendom environment. In the midst of a deteriorating presence in society, the loss of perceived value and acceptance, along with a growing general disinterest among the American population, the traditional, institutional and denominational model of church struggles to maintain a sense of place or position, while the missional church movement has emerged offering an increasingly acceptable alternative. This missional alternative prioritizes a contextual and incarnational presence in communities as an outgrowth of the missio Dei, with missional churches living as an extension of God’s missionary presence in the world, discerning, understanding, and responding to changing contexts through incarnational relationships with others, emphasizing the community life of disciples of Jesus Christ to reveal the Kingdom of God. This thesis investigates elements contributing to the changing landscape of American Christianity, as well as features common to missional churches to determine the impact of the missional movement upon Christianity in the United States, and finds that American Christianity is being redefined through the emphasis of the missio Dei and an incarnational approach to ministry where contextual focus informs form, and provides for specific and effective ministry function.