LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE Peter Meier Center for United States Missions
Mission begins in the heart of God A Theological Statement of Mission, LCMS
GOD S MISSION Isaiah 45:21-24 There is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior, there is none but me. Turn to me and be saved all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; and every tongue will swear. They will say of me, In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength.
GOD S MISSION Philippians 2:10-11 At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Mission Missions Mission Minded Missional
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE Not developing people for church work! Developing leaders who order their lives around a Missionary Purpose Genuinely spiritual Understand the culture Look for impact beyond the church walls Disciple-makers (kingdom growth) Shift from doing church to being church
Understanding the Culture
Americans who say they have no religious preference ( Nones ) 1/3 of Americans under age 30 have no religious affiliation
Percentage of Population Attending a Christian Church each Weekend 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 20.4% 19.5% 18.7% 17.5% 16.5% 15.5% 14.7% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 The American Church Research Project 2008 by David T. Olson www.theamericanchurch.org
13.3% WA Percentage of the Population Attending a Christian Church On any Given Weekend in 2006 9.6% NH 14.1% CA 12.8% OR 13.4% AK 9.4% NV 10.2% ID 13.1% AZ 2.9% UT 16.9% MT 12.9% WY 15.4% NM 14.4% CO 27.1% ND 24.2% SD 22.1% NE 17.5% TX 21.7% KS 21.6% OK 21.3% MN 23.1% IA 20.2% MO 25.2% AR 27.9% LA 20.9% WI 18.6% IL 25.9% MS 20.6% IN 26.7% AL 19.5% MI 23.1% TN 21.7% KY 18.8% OH 21.9% GA 15.8% WV 11.8% VT 13.8% FL 18.7% PA 17.4% VA 21.4% NC 22.5% SC 13.6% NY 9.7% ME 13.9% NJ 16.7% MD 0.0% to 13.3% 13.3% to 15.6% 15.6% to 19.5% 19.5% to 22.1% 22.1% to 27.9% 15.6% DE 12.3% MA 16.9% RI 14.7% CT 13.9% HI 20.9% The American Church Research Project 2008 by David T. Olson www.theamericanchurch.org
HOW WILL WE REACH THEM? De-churched Attractional Unchurched Incarnational
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 1. Define success
Bucks Butts Buildings
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 1. Define Success 2. Prepare to Engage
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 1. Define success 2. Prepare to Engage 3. Understand Your Calling
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE All the Baptized have one and the same vocation = missionary
MISSIONAL All of life, 24/7, is on mission Gospel-seed sower in your own everyday unique mission field Not something ADDITIONAL to DO But, WHO I AM my BEING COG purposefully sent
Who are YOUR 3?
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 1. Define success 2. Prepare to Engage 3. Understand Your Calling 4. Engage by Moving into the Community!
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Begin with Prayer
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Begin with Prayer Col 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Begin with Prayer Col 4:2 Pray for 3 pray4everyhome.com Why Pray? John DeVries ipray James Buckman
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Begin with Prayer Col 4:2 Look for Opportunities
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Look for Opportunities Col 4:5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Look for Opportunities Col 4:5 Bless 3 people each week Words of affirmation Acts of kindness Give a gift
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Begin with Prayer Col 4:2 Look for Opportunities Col 4:5 Engage by Listening
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Engage by Listening Prov 1:5 A wise man will listen and increase his learning; a discerning man will obtain guidance.
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Engage by Listening Prov 1:5 Daily time in the Word Intentional listening in daily rhythms Eat with others, ask questions Journaling
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Begin with Prayer Col 4:2 Look for Opportunities Col 4:5 Engage by Listening Prov 1:5 Serve with Love
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Serve with Love Gal 5:13 You were called to be free, brothers; only don t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another in love.
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Serve with Love Gal 5:13 Do a good turn daily Random acts of kindness
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Begin with Prayer Col 4:2 Look for Opportunities Col 4:5 Engage by Listening Prov 1:5 Serve with Love Gal 5:13 Share the Truth
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Share the Truth John 14:6 Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Share the Truth John 14:6 Identify yourself as a missionary Live a questionable life Journal how God has used you
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits which BLESS Begin with Prayer Col 4:2 Look for Opportunities Col 4:5 Engage by Listening Prov 1:5 Serve with Love Gal 5:13 Share the Truth John 14:6
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE 5 Missional Habits and their Values Begin with Prayer worship Look for Opportunities generosity Engage by Listening Spirit-led Serve with Love Christ-like Share the Truth missionary
LIVING ON MISSIONAL PURPOSE Rev. Peter A. Meier, D Min Center for United States Missions c4usm.org peter.meier@cui.edu