Austin City Life

 

 

 

You are cool because you are "missional". It's true. Face it.

 

Forget the "mega"churches, the "seeker-sensitive" people, and those darn "prosperity" guys. They are all wrong.

 

First of all, they are not at all "organic" and cannot hang with our beards, pipes, and brews. They obviously didn't read "Total Church" or "Tangible Kingdom", know nothing of church plants or gospel rhythms, and they most certainly are not "in the city for the city". Nope. We are.

 

In celebration of our collective coolness I propose we play a game called "Put your hand in the air, and if any of the statements below are true of you, put it down". 

 

Let's do this !

 

 

 

1 You have used the word "missional" and you have no idea what it means, none whatsoever. Hand down.

 

 

2 You have a "heart for the nations" but have never left your homestate for anything other than a trip to Disneyland. Hand down.

 

 

3 You are really into that scripture that says "love your neighbor as yourself" (you bought the "precious moments" plaque, own the refrigerator magnet, and got the fake tattoo at the last Newsboys concert) but you have never had your neighbor over for dinner. Hand down.

 

 

4 You love "community" and believe the church is a "family" but if anybody in your small group talks too much or God forbid some unruly kid (with horrible parents) kicks your precious little angel in the shins YOU'RE OUT, no more "community" for you. Hand down.

 

 

5 You feel called to "serve the homeless" but akwardly ignore panhandlers on your way to Urban Outfittters. Hand down.

 

 

6 You believe in "acountability" but only confess sins that make you look good. While that miserable loser of a Christian sitting across the table from you is crying in his coffee over his addiction to pornography, you're confessing that you aren't memorizing enough scripture and that 30 minutes a day of prayer just isn't cutting it anymore. Hand down.

 

 

7 You feel "called to adopt" but you avoid the Childrens Director at all costs because there is no way you are missing out on worship this week to watch those little brats in the Kids Ministry. Hand down.

 

 

There is a good chance that nobody reading this still has their hands in the air (mine are down...way down) and there lies the problem. Most of us are strong on ideas and weak on follow through, and it would be good to get honest about that as soon as possible so we can figure out where to go from here. I will suggest a couple ideas, and would like to hear yours.

 

 

1 We all need THE GOSPEL and it would be in the best interest of our churches, our families, and our souls if we committed to understanding and applying it. Nothing is more important.

 

 

2 COMMUNITY is not an option.

 

 

3 MISSION is what we do (not what we talk about).

 

 

What are your thoughts? Where do we go from here? Help!