As I've led out various missional expressions and coached many leaders doing the same, you start to see some commonalities in the culture. As I've reflected on it, here are some of the marks of a M.I.S.S.I.O.N.A.L culture that we've seen over here in the UK and in Western Europe. I wonder...can you see them in your culture or, if not, how could they begin to shape how you and your people live?
M – Missional Mindset
People who understand that they are ‘sent’. People who look to the Great Commission as well as the Great Commandments. People who live sacrificially. People who get out of the boat. People who take on the adventure. People who risk. People who live life outside the church walls. People who recognise those ready & open to Jesus. People who embrace change. People that embrace journey. People who go.
I – Incarnational Lifestyle
People who live as well as talk. People who live a missional lifestyle rather than organize missional events. People who are 24/7 rather than Tuesday at 8. People who have mission at the core of who they are not just the centre of activities that are ‘put on’. People who share life as well as a faith with people. People who are weka as well as strong. People who ‘live with and amongst’ not ‘minister to’ people. People who are structured & spontaneous. People who look to be good news to who or where they are placed – home, neighbourhood, work, nursery, golf club, pub, school gates, coffee shop........
S – Scripturally Based
People who are grounded in scripture – reading, processing, reflecting, learning, applying, acting, living. People informed and imitating the life of Jesus in the Gospels. People who can feed themselves from the Word. People who have the word of truth as an offensive weapon. People who use the word to birth faith. People who use the bible for inspiration & instruction.
S – Spirit Led
People who are dependent on the Holy Spirit. People who are empowered by the Holy Spirit. People who are listening & looking for God already at work. People who are growing in intimacy as well as intentionality. People who have passion alongside purpose. People who follow and join what the Spirit is doing in people & places.
I – Intercessory Prayer
People fueled by prayer. People with a pattern of personal prayer. People with a pattern of communal prayer. People with a pattern of corporate prayer. People who see prayer as a joy not a duty. People who see prayer as a conversation not a list. People who are sent covered by committed prayer. People who change the spiritual temperature through Intercession. People who win battles in prayer. People whose hearts are broken for the lost through prayer.
O – Orbit the Centre
People who live life in communities and gather together with the wider family for Celebration. People who aren’t isolated from the resource centre. People who are accountable & connected. People who are resourced, trained and sent from the central church. People who return to tell war stories. People who are healed up from battle scars. People who ‘return back’ and are ‘sent out’.
N – Neighbourhood or Network
People who know who (network – social, demographic, interest, ethnicity) or where (neighbourhood) they are called to be Good News (Editor's Note: it's worth pointing out here that in England, the word neighborhood is actually spelled neighbourhood). People who live out the Good news in their networks or neighbourhoods. People who live amongst not travel to. People who share life not time slots. People who connect with people. People who recognise People of Peace. People who understand and live Luke 10.
A – Active Participation
People who aren’t consumers of a Christian product on a Sunday. People who participate in the adventure & life of their community. People who play their part. People who love. People who give. People who ‘have a go’. People who step out of the boat. People who produce vision and grow maturity in others. People who sacrifice. People who persevere.
L – Lay Led
People who don’t depend on Christian ‘super heroes’. People who don’t abdicate responsibility to the pastor and staff. People who get out of their seat. People who put their hand up. People who say 'yes'. People who step up and take responsibility for who & where they are called to lead & live. People who do it out of passion not duty. People who do it.