What is Missional Living?

Adopt the Mindset, Behaviors, and Practices of a Missionary in Everyday Life

Missional living encapsulates the Christian endeavor to adopt the mindset, behaviors, and practices of a missionary in everyday life, with the aim of engaging others with the gospel message. It is the tangible expression of Jesus's mission in the world, where believers actively live out the gospel in their daily interactions and endeavors. While there isn't a singular, definitive definition of missional living, it encompasses various interpretations, including committing to proclaim the gospel in specific geographical areas, influencing non-believers towards Christ, and motivating fellow Christians to do the same.

Become an Agent of God's Mission to the World

The concept gained prominence towards the end of the 20th century through the influence of theologians like Timothy Keller and Alan Hirsch, who emphasized that all Christians should partake in the Great Commission of Jesus. Missional living asserts that the church's true purpose is to be an agent of God's mission to the world, with mission being its authentic organizing principle. This understanding challenges the conventional perception of missions as merely a function of the church, instead positing that the mission precedes and defines the church.

Practice Faith and Service to Others

Moreover, missional living is rooted in biblical principles, as seen in passages like Isaiah 58, which emphasizes actions such as sharing food with the hungry and providing shelter to the homeless as integral to fulfilling God's mission. It underscores the importance of practical expressions of faith and service to others as central to living out one's Christian identity.

Embody the Mission and Message of Jesus in All Aspects of Life

At its core, missional living is about embodying the mission and message of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life, both individually and collectively as a community of believers. It involves intentional engagement with the world, seeking to demonstrate God's love and redemption through genuine relationships and acts of compassion.

“When you open up your heart and reach out to someone new,
They have the priceless privilege of seeing just what God can do.”
by Joyce Watke, Open Your Heart

Whether in existing connections through work, family, or community involvement, or in forging new relationships through service and outreach efforts, missional living seeks to authentically reflect the transformative power of the gospel in every sphere of influence. The poet Edgar A. Guest stated this concept well:

"I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye is a better pupil, more willing than the ear;
Fine counsel is confusing, but example is always clear,
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see a good put in action is what everybody needs."
By Edgar A. Guest, known as the "People's Poet"

Gospel proclamation is always better received in the context of a relationship, demonstrating the love of Christ to others in both word and deed.