Is the Church in America transforming lives and communities? The answer is sadly, “No.” “Rather than occupying a central and influential place, North American Christian churches are increasingly marginalized, so much so that in our urban areas they represent a minority movement.”
One common excuse that Christians offer for not engaging in missional activity that results in starting new churches is a concern for church health.
Churches are to be united together for the purpose of accomplishing the mission of Jesus. Yet many churches in America are experiencing conflict and strife that wastes valuable energy and resources.
Although Jesus has sent every believer to fulfill the Great Commission, many Christians are failing to make disciples. “The church in North America is not in good shape.
Martin Robinson believes that the Church in the Western world finds itself in deep crisis. Not only is there a fundamental decline in church membership and attendance, but something more fundamental has been taking place in the second half of the twentieth century.
Too many churches in America are failing to make disciples of non-disciples. The mission of many churches is internally focused on more people, more money, and more buildings, rather than externally focused on the mission of Jesus.
As I read the interesting discussion/debate among bloggers concerning missional activities and the meaning of the term “missional”–there is a curious observation to be made. Many Christians talk about participating in missional activity as if it were a choice you had.
As I’ve been posting on being a missionalist, I’ve asked myself, “Why am I a missionalist?” Here is my answer…
I am a missionalist. To me, every believer is a missionary. The Church is missionary. Christians are God’s missionary people. I agree with Craig Van Gelder when he said: “The church is missionary by nature because God has sent it on a mission in the world under the leading of the Holy Spirit.
