Comments on: Missional Shmissional

By: Ben Sternke

Ben Sternke — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:09:12 +0000

Thanks for the link, Dwight! Much appreciated. I definitely think "missional" is worth preserving as a meaning-carrying word. It's sometimes dis-heartening to see it used as a buzz word is all.

By: Dwight DuBois

Dwight DuBois — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:27:00 +0000

Ben, if you're still working on this conversation, you might want to check out the video at http://missional.tumblr.com/post/418770152/craig-… where two of the earliest voices (20 years running) talk about what missional is and what it's not.

By: Ben Sternke

Ben Sternke — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:53:08 +0000

Indeed, Nancy. I think, too, though, that John has a good point above, in that "missional," when defined rightly, can be a very helpful concept in bringing churches toward faithfulness to Jesus and the gospel.

By: Ben Sternke

Ben Sternke — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:52:03 +0000

Glad it was helpful! Good to have you reading, and I'd love to hear your "voice" in the conversation in the future.

By: Nancy Rhee

Nancy Rhee — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:18:01 +0000

Ben,

Very interesting piece. I have lived long enough to see "buzz words" come and go in the church setting. They may be helpful for a season, but like grass,they wither and fade. Jesus remains; to Him be the glory forever and ever.

By: Zonoma

Zonoma — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:35:14 +0000

I found your blog through a friend's link on FB (Sean B) and you've got yourself a new reader. It was incredibly refreshing to see someone 'rant' (though I do not think that word means what you think it mean – I believe your 'rant' was simply honest evaluation) about priorities of heart and appearance. Anytime someone makes me pause and look inside to check myself, I say 'Well done."

By: Ben Sternke

Ben Sternke — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:17:58 +0000

John, thanks for those encouraging words! I'm looking forward to reading your book. Thanks for the Facebook link!

By: John H. Armstrong

John H. Armstrong — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:09:34 +0000

This is a great post Ben. Words are important and this word missional is, in my view as a professor of mission and a missional writer and mentor, very important. In fact, I spend a good part of a chapter in my new book, Your Church Is Too Small, explaining the word missional and its value for just the reasons you wrote about in this blog. It may have become a buzz word for some but when rightly understood it moves us toward greater faithfulness to Jesus and his kingdom. Jesus is the reason to be missional. I have joined missional with unity and John 17 to coin the word missional-ecumenism.

Thanks for such a wonderful thought-provoking piece. I posted it on my Face book for larger numbers of readers to find it. I love your blogs.