Mobilized Church Podcast

It can be difficult to establish a culture of missional community. Today, we discuss what the DNA of a new missional community looks like.

The question of transformation in Christian theology is indeed a multi-faceted one, involving the intersection of divine, human, and communal factors. In order to understand the nuances and intersections of these elements—(a) the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit, (b) adherence to the Word of God, and (c) the change of beliefs resulting in new values and behaviors—it’s important to explore each aspect both individually and in relation to the others.

The events of life, whether it is the choices of people, life circumstances, or world events ... predominately happen outside our scope of influence. At the end of the day, there isn't much that happens in the world beyond me that I truly have control over. And yet none of us really enjoy feeling that we are being controlled by other things. It does not produce a sense of strength and security.

What are the things we can control?

What are things we cannot control?

"Trying to be in control" is a common human defense mechanism. What does that look like?

Have you ever seen someone who "quits" as a defense mechanism?

What is organic? Is there organic and organized working in rhythm with each other? What is the  difference between organized and institutional? What kind of things can you do to live intentionally missional? Why is it so common to just go through life and be a Christian but not be proactively missional? 

One of my favorite devotions is “The Way” by Stanley Jones. Working in places where his Christian mission was not afforded ‘most privileged religion’ status he pointed to the “Capital T” truths that are invested into the eternal and foundational Creation of God. Beyond philosophy and theology it is the immutable truths to which we are all subject working to point to Him. Truths seemingly working outside of the flawed human realm. Not subject to our culture or prejudice. (Psalm 19 and Romans 1 style) 

What happens when we realize that we are working on behalf of these higher Truths. That we are living out the results of obeying and then pointing people to THE WAY. 

In the call to live missionally, there’s a powerful synergy between the individual believer and the collective Church community. On one hand, the individual’s life-on-life missional living represents the most organic, grassroots reach of the gospel. This is where mission happens naturally in the everyday rhythms of life—where we learn, live, work, and play. On the other hand, the collective efforts of the Church community expand our capacity to tackle larger challenges and serve broader community needs, transforming neighborhoods and cities in ways that no single individual could achieve alone.  

To maximize our missional impact, we need both elements working together in harmony.

Our view of the state of Christianity often comes through the myopic lens of what is going on in the US. But according to a recent report from the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, there are some encouraging signs that God is moving around the world in unprecedented ways. In today’s episode we explore these trends and what it means to the missional church.

We often think of our discipleship transformation in terms of reading the word of God and letting Jesus change what we care about. In this, it may sometimes sound like we are totally in control of the process. We study the Bible, we listen to the Holy Spirit promptings, we pray and accept the "better way" of Jesus and voila, "transformation." 

But sometimes the tool God uses is not something we are in control of. Sometimes it is life difficulty, trials, and struggles that Jesus uses to help us come into contact with our need to rely on Him and to reveal to us the process of "letting go and letting God."

In this episode we discuss how tough times produce the greatest transformation and most compelling testimony to unbelievers.

Join us for this tremendous discussion with Dr. Shadi Azar about the challenges and opportunities of multicultural ministry and discipleship.

People can be closed off. Closed off to new things. Closed off to new ways of doing things closed off to schedule disruptions. At the core of being a disciple is the word change. In a world where it is easy as humans to draw lines around our time and our activities. Any day where people are drawing lines around social and political issues. Are we open to allow God to lead us by his spirit and to reach people very much unlike us?