The First Time I Tried Starting a Missional Community I Failed
Have you ever tried starting a missional community from scratch?
“Missional” is a label we give to the qualitative and descriptive aspect of how a church or group of people actually lives. My buddy Hugh Halter says it simply,
“It’s about how much like Jesus people become… how much they influence, woo, and transform the culture in which they are placed.”
A family, group of friends or church that lives like this… Sounds good!
Well, a few years ago my friends all thought so too. We were excited to be rebels who were starting a missional community.
Excited, that is, until things progressed to where we moved beyond our weekly meal and discussion about being missional. It was time to start heading out and building new relationships, serving those in need in our city… actually making disciples.
That’s when everyone recoiled a bit.
Let’s Try This Missional Community Thing Again
Now I’ve learned how to make discipleship and mission a reality–something simple that everyone can live out in everyday life.
What I didn’t know back in those earlier days of starting a missional community was that while most Christians want to make disciples and live on mission with God, they also feel way to busy!
Often, when moving toward a lifestyle of discipleship and mission, people become overwhelmed with what they perceive as the risk of their family time, “margins” and sanity!
The secret is moving from “additional” to “intentional” in our thinking.
Discipleship is not a set of activities we need to jam into our lives, or a series classes that we need to take. And a missional community is more than just a weekly meeting of our small group with a name change.
It’s a series of simple, rhythms or “moves” we can easily, and intentionally, engage in our everyday life. Step by step.
Imagine…
- Making new friendships that naturally lead to “doing life” together.
(I can show you how.) - Or knowing how to talk with others about spiritual things without feeling awkward or pushy.
Discipleship becomes a way of life that includes your kids, close friends and neighbors.
That’s what my family and friends now experience.
If you want it… I’m here to get you started without all the headaches, stop/starts and frustration.
The best part? It’s 7 simple steps.
This process takes a little effort and intentionality. But it’s not complicated. And it’s one of the fastest ways I’ve discovered to get started with others making disciples and building community.
(You can do Steps 1 and 2 today!)
I want to give you access to this free Start-Up Guide (including ‘How To Start a Missional Community From Scratch’). Just click the button below and I’ll send it over.
Halloween: 7 Ways To Be Missional
Halloween often carries a “dark history,” and many Christians have been told it’s a holiday to avoid. But you might be surprised to learn the real story behind this event. Rather than missing out, it’s a prime opportunity to bring light and redemption to your community.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar and Heath discuss the amazing opportunity that our current cultural experience of Halloween provides as we live on mission and make disciples.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
- The history of Halloween and how the Church may have actually invented it.
- How the Gospel redeems culture instead of avoiding it.
- Why Christians can and should participate with radical generosity.
- 7 ideas on ways to be more intentional and missional this year.
Are You One of the Cool Kids?
When I was growing up, whether it was hanging around my neighborhood or on the school playground, or spending time with my sisters and cousins during family celebrations, it was important to feel as if I was one of the cool kids—one of the insiders.
No one likes to feel on the outs or be pushed to the margins of the social circle.
We all want to be insiders. (more…)
Time to Leave Your Church? 7 Things To Consider Before You Go
Is it time to leave your church? You didn’t always feel this way, but lately, there’s been a nagging sense that it might be time to move on and find a new church home. Yet, you wonder, “Is it just me?”
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we’ll help you navigate that decision. We’ll explore 7 legitimate reasons it might be time to leave your church, along with some important cautions to consider before making your choice.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
- Your “Church” is people… and that includes you!
- Why God may want to keep you right where you’re at.
- 7 legitimate reasons why it could be time to leave.
- Key rhythms of life that equal “gathering together” as the Church.
Who Broke the Missional Movement?
About a decade ago, the “missional movement” promised to transform the Church and make loads of new disciples. It was supposed to break down barriers in our culture, stopping the decline of church attendance nationwide. So who broke the missional movement?
Unfortunately, the answer may be closer than we think. (more…)
Communication Breakdown in Community? 10 Ways To Grow
Have you ever been misunderstood or misinterpreted? Do you sometimes misunderstand the signals and words you’ve received from others? Oftentimes communication seems to be a fight for control. But it doesn’t have to be that way!
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar will teach you how to avoid being misunderstood and give you 10 steps to becoming an active listener and effective communicator.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
- The biggest mistakes people make when communicating.
- Why you must level-up your non-verbal communication skills.
- Secrets to becoming an empathetic and active listener.
- 10 Steps to move from misunderstanding to effective conversation.
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ABOUT ME
I am the author of the top selling book, The Gospel Primer. My latest books, Transformed and Small is Big, Slow is Fast came out recently on Zondervan.
I help those with a high commitment to intentional living in the areas of their discipleship, family and mission acquire the leadership skills and tools necessary to succeed and leave a lasting legacy.