Attractional/Missional?

You would have to have your head in the sand if you haven’t read about and considered the

“Attractional/Missional” conversation addressed by Christian leaders, books, blogs and magazines articles. (Attractional or Missional? 04-15-12 www.christianstandard.com) Where do you stand?

Since I am not attractive I probably lean toward Missional. Just kidding! To summarize Attractional we have typically said that it is “Come and see. Ministers are gifted to serve us. Come to our building and we will serve you with programs and staff. You will worship at the church building. Proclamation takes place through the church and you may join us for religious services.” Is your church Attractional?

Missional, is actually more attractional to me, although I could be persuaded to be “Christianal.” On the Missional side of the coin we see: “Go and be like Jesus. The church is gifted for service. Go love others, serve in the community. Worship by your life in the community. Good news/deeds are proclaimed. Go to the people and serve their need. Life is more than a Sunday morning church event.” Is your church Missional?

 

To live missionally is more than simply doing mission activities. There are many churches taking the lead to be “Externally Focused” (http://externallyfocusednetwork.com)

But good deeds without good news is not the Gospel. “It’s going to take both missional church plus missional disciples to make a missional movement,”  says Alan Hirsch. (http://www.theforgottenways.org) It’s impossible to be a missional church if we fail to be a missional people. 

So was Jesus Attractional or Missional? Can you find examples of Jesus being both in the Bible? 

Last month I visited “Substance” (http://www.substancechurch.com)   

in Minneapolis. I talked with Armin Assadi the Campus Pastor at the Fridley Campus where I attended the service. He told me what “Substance” (in the OT) represents, basically “Jesus Christ.”  Personally, I tend to believe that Christ’s church should be both Attractional/Missional.  More importantly whatever the model it must be a representation of Jesus. More like this:  Attractional/Missional = “Christianal”