Why A Missional Order?
This site exists for two big-picture reasons. On the one hand, we want to counteract some negative trends that are prevalent in society today. Call that our combative side. More important, we think that the missional approach will help us capture the positive dynamics that Jesus wants to be part of every life.
First, the things that we want to fight against:
- The consumer lifestyle. We can’t consume our way into godliness, because the gospel is about a focused, stripped-down life, not an accessorized, materialistic life.
- Programmatic spirituality. Jesus didn’t give the disciples 12-step or 40-day approaches to God. Instead, he told them to let their entire lives be molded by the Father, daily, for as long as they lived.
- Business as usual. When church becomes corporate, and reflects the politics and bottom-line practices of the business world, the heart of the gospel has already been lost, no matter how good the church slogan sounds.
On the positive side, we think that Missional Order can help us:
- Take active steps toward renewal. Christianity is always a do-or-die proposition, and that’s especially true today, when so many people are disenchanted with the church. But rather than grow cynical, we can work to recapture the impulses that animate a healthy, Jesus-shaped spirituality.
- Live like Jesus together. We’re called to live out our faith in community, reflecting the heart of Jesus, acting as his sent disciples. Mutual encouragement and a sense of direction help us do this, whatever our location or station in life.
- Adopt habits and disciplines that will help us create order—a focused spiritual equilibrium—that is imitative of Christ. What if we adjusted the very shape of our days around fellowship with God?
Wondering if this idea of Missional Order can be of any benefit to you?
Here are some things that get us fired up. If you feel similar spiritual desires, then maybe we can help each other walk more closely with Jesus:
- We want to our lives to take on daily rhythms that push us toward God, aid our sanctification, and empower us to participate in God’s kingdom.
- We want to move beyond the limited political, procedural traditions of church as we’ve experienced it.
- We want to take our faith outside church walls, to participate and learn together.
- We want to connect with others who want a deeper, Christ-centered life.
- We want to experience the kingdom of God in tangible ways.
- We want to be known by our love for God and each other.
- We want to commune with the triune God.
- We want to be strengthened daily by the Holy Spirit, who teaches us love.
- We want to guide our lives by this ultimate Rule: Conformity to Jesus!