It has been exhilarating to be a part of the amazing shift that taking place within the Anglican movement over the past 10-20 years. Some refer to this shift as going from a maintenance mentality to a missional mode of doing ministry. I like to think of it as a heart change where we are learning to love the world the way Jesus does.

 

Although Jesus modeled for us how to care deeply for those who are not part of ourchurch families, we are often slow to follow His lead. Hence, the need for a laser focus on missions-to ensure we are intentionally seeking the one still lost, not just caring for the 99 who are already in the fold.

 

Many people think of missions as an add-on for those who happen to be interested in that sort of thing or a luxury item for big churches who can afford it. The truth is that every church needs a missional DNA, especially new church plants. But how do we create this critical element, whether in an established congregation or in a new church?

 

I believe there are three practices that will greatly aid us in becoming missionally focused: 

1) instilling a missional imagination; 

2) learning to listen to and understand our culture; and 

3) creating effective structures that will empower mission. 

Together, these three elements will create a powerful ecosystem capable of moving any of our congregations out of the box and out the door. 

This article will focus on the first of these practices, instilling a missional imagination, and will be followed by two others in coming weeks to complete the series as we explore how to create a missional church culture.