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I teach a mission-centered approach to Scripture and try to engage the missional imagination of every student who walks into my classroom at Asbury Theological Seminary. This creates a disconnect with the reality of most communities of faith that are inward-focused and rooted in a past that no longer exists.

Here is a question that I have received too often from my students. This arrived in my inbox this week, but I have read it many times before:

This doesn’t actually pertain to class, but I would really appreciate your advice. I’m really questioning my place of ministry right now. I pastor a small [denomination linked] congregation in the suburbs of ______ [middle America]. I’ve been here about [less than 3] years. I pastored bi-vocationally for [several] years prior to moving here. This is my first full-time pastorate. I’ve changed a great deal during that time. I’ve gone from believing that if we just keep doing the same things we’ve been doing that the church will be fine, to now realizing that the American church is sinking and must change. I’ve tried to introduce some of those needed changes very slowly and with as much grace as possible. Yet, I am finding that the majority of my church doesn’t really care if the church outlasts them. I’m sure I could continue in this place for years to come, but I am increasingly dissatisfied with perpetuating a ministry that is not missional and is only interested in preserving a tradition.

I know my situation is not uncommon. But I’m beginning to wonder if I should remain here. I guess my question to you is: How feasible is it to lead a church to a revitalized commitment to the mission of God? Can it be done in our society? I see so much energy and vibrancy within new experimental churches, I can’t help but wonder if I should consider that.

How would you answer these questions? What advice do you have for this pastor?

Rich Brooks has published “What Businesses Can Learn From Barack Obama’s Social Media Strategy.” This piece is well written and worthy of careful reading.

What can missional movements learn from Obama’s strategy? How well connected are our communities of faith? How many entry and connection points have we established in our goal of Making Disciples of All Nations?

A friend sent me this link to a great overview of Ron Heifetz’s of Harvard’s Kennedy School views on adaptive leadership. Heifetz’s ideas have been in print for some time, but they seem particularly timely for today’s world. Many good insights for missional leaders as well.

Read the essay

Communicating clearly and effectively is a must for missional leaders. As we serve in a transitional period in human history between the decay of Christendom and the post-Christian world, we need to (re)learn language. I came across a classic essay by George Orwell this weekend “Politics and the English Language.”

He ends his survey of poor writing and communication by offering the following “rules.” There is clearly wisdom here for those who seek to communicate the Gospel in our day:

(i) Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.

(ii) Never us a long word where a short one will do.

(iii) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.

(iv) Never use the passive where you can use the active.

(v) Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

(vi) Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

Here is a link to “Politics and the English language.”

All that is required to begin to change the world is one person who must. Alex McManus

We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they’re called memories. Some take us forward, they’re called dreams. Jeremy Irons, Actor

Patience and perseverance will accomplish more in this world than a brilliant dash. Remember that when something goes wrong. Don’t let anything discourage you. Keep on. Never give up. That had been the policy of most of those who have succeeded. Of course, discouragement will come. The important thing is to surmount it. If you can do that, the world is yours. Dale Carnegie

I am an unabashed fan of the seminal missional thinking of Alan Hirsch and Michael Frost. The two have collaborated on a forthcoming volume: Rejesus: A Wild Messiah for a Missional Church
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You can download the introduction and first chapter at Alan’s blog.