Comments on: Defining Missional…

By: Jon Cobler

Jon Cobler — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:26:21 +0000

Hey Jon, I agree that Eastlake blatantly subscribes to an “all out” attractional model. In fact they make no apologies for being a seeker sensitive model of church.
Recently, I had the opportunity to be with a small group of leaders who sat under Pastor Jack for a couple of days. When he talked about his approach to the weekend services at COTW, he said (as best as I can remember) he never preached an evangelistic message on a Sunday. His focus was always on discipling the congregation. Very opposite from an “attractional” model.
Do you think that the churches that had explosive growth due to revival (as in the ’70s) would be considered “attractional”?
Merry Christmas.

By: Jon Cobler

Jon Cobler — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:17:29 +0000

Hey Casey, interesting stuff. Can you elaborate on what you mean by “whole work with less distinction between those doing the work and those receiving the benefits of ministry”?
I’m interested. Thanks for the input.
J

By: Jon

Jon — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:44:01 +0000

I typed for a blog, but meant from a blog

By: Jon

Jon — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:43:30 +0000

Here are a few points for a blog. It provides some clear evidence of attraction focus. I don’t think many folks are this explicit about the model, however it does supply fodder for critical examination:
# Producing the church service – What it takes to make the vision for the weekend become a reality.
# Working with lay people and volunteers – As a production pastor my goal is to do more than just provide excellence. I must make it possible for a volunteer who works 50 hours outside of the church in an unrelated job to serve with me as if we had a staff of full time professionals at every position.
# Creativity – Tricks to make each service seem fresh and creative using video, lighting, and some added extras
Jon

By: Casey C

Casey C — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:00:01 +0000

Hirsch’s big focus is on discipleship – the progression that Christology defines missiology which defines ecclesiology….so there is a question of what “works” means. We can point to lots of attractional churches that are growing in numbers – the NYTimes recently reported on the growth of evangelical churches in the wake of the financial turmoil. Does growth = working? What kind of growth? And how sharp is the edge between church culture and culture. I’ve been working with Hirsch for a short bit of time now – and he has a real passion to see missional initiatives connect and find support in a broad apostolic network that is all about whole life, whole work with less distinction between those doing the work and those receiving the benefits of ministry.
There are lots of missional projects – and I’m hoping to get their stories out in broader view next year. Not as a program to copy – but as a cultivator of mission-imagination among the many Christ followers looking for something more than the program of their local church. Missional practices, orders, initiatives and journeys have the potential to engage more people in the work. Our current technology makes it easier to connect those stories and operate as Church….great time to be engaged and in the conversation.
-Casey