Missional (in the stream of God's "GO")

Scot McKight has another great post -- Letters To Emerging Christians -- in which he defines what it means to be MISSIONAL. I can certainly dig his definition, and perhaps the best line is from Andrew Jones: “We are people flowing in the stream of God’s 'GO'.” I also liked Scot's emphasis on being 'holistic' rather than just 'evangelistic.' Great point(s).

What really caught my eye, though, was Scot's assessment: "the emerging movement has a special soft spot for those who have been burned by the Church, who have been hurt by the Church, and it wants to provide a safe place for those who need to know that God’s’ grace extends to them, too." That really spoke to me because that was almost exactly what led me to seminary and eventually becoming a pastor. I had no idea it was anything "emerging" at the time. I just knew that's what tripped-my-trigger.

Sometimes I forget though. One thing I'm not very good at dealing with are people who are just plain bitter against the church. And it's not that I don't feel for these people (I do - I've been there), but I don't think there is a whole lot one can do at that point. It's like the person who is drowning and wildly flailing their arms... If you try to help them, they're likely just going to pull you down too. They're not thinking clearly, and they're not interested in listening to anyone. I believe the key is to keep these people in your sights, and at that moment when they stop "fighting"... just hope you can be there for them... with them.

There are too many people in the world who have been left alone, let down, and lied to... and Christ has been totally misrepresented to them. I don't know that I'm the best representative he's got, but that's what I want to be: His agent of grace. Why? Maybe because I am most grateful for those who have been that for me. Where would I be without them?

I pray today that I might be a better representative. "...flowing in the stream of God's 'GO'." Sounds like a revolution.