02.19.10
The Summit, Reid Smith and Missional Groups
Ben Reed is a guest blogger here at the Lifeway Small Groups blog. He regularly blogs for Life and Theology. You can also find him on Twitter HERE.
The Summit started out with a series of questions asked to each of the 9 guys who presented (10 experts were there, but Rick Howerton moderated).
Up next, Reid Smith. Here's the question he had:
How can groups become missional?
Many churches view "missional" as an activity, but it's really more of a heart attitude. It's a lifestyle, modeled by somebody who is compelled by the compassion of God for humanity. Being missional is not comfortable. It's gut-wrenching.
It's easy to give tips on "how" to be missional. But the "want-to" is more complicated and more difficult, and I'm not sure there are as many Christians out there who are saying, "Break my heart for what breaks yours!" That's the kind of heart it takes to truly be missional.
The big question is: How can our groups become an extension of the missional purpose of our church? It starts by building the small groups around the core values of the church. When we get down to what it looks like to be missional, we'll notice that it's very natural.
- It starts with who you know already.
- Pray for open doors
- Fellowship around things you have in common
- Be ready to be overwhelmed by the opportunities that God will give.
You can be in community, but you need to also be a community builder. When people have a compassionate heart, the'll long to be missional.
What does "missional" mean to you?
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