An Intro to Missional Thought and Action

Intro…

A central missional concern is the challenge of engaging non-Christian individuals, groups, and cultures in ways that effectively communicate the Good News of Christ. Unlike traditional overseas missions, missional efforts seek to connect with people within our own Western culture using cross-cultural methods and holistic approaches similar to those proven effective elsewhere.

In the West, we can no longer rely on residual familiarity with or a positive view of Christianity—even among those we consider close associates. Instead, we must recognize the growing influence of secularization. This cultural shift introduces complexities to our witness that many Western Christians struggle to fully grasp. Perspectives on Christian life and faith may sharply diverge from those held within Evangelical circles. These differences become even more challenging when certain expressions of Christianity are seen as fundamentally at odds with the Gospel itself.

As with successful overseas missions, effective missional ministry in our context can be greatly strengthened through training in cross-cultural engagement.

Our focus for missional outreach…

Our local Missional Church Network has been reflecting on different dimension of the broader missional challenge. One of these is the emphasis on Reason as a component of Faith (which, in short, we might call Reasonable Faith). While remaining faithful to the Gospel of Christ as revealed in Scripture, we are keenly aware of the rising educational levels in Western societies—particularly in Canada. Among G7 nations, Canada ranks highest in educational attainment, with over 50% of the population holding university degrees or college credentials.

In this context, church attendance continues to decline, and a growing number of Canadians no longer wish to be identified as Christian. Public perceptions of Christianity are increasingly distorted, often portrayed as anti-social or even detrimental to personal and societal well-being.

Our commitment to he role of reason in faith is a response to these cultural shifts. We seek to find and practice ways to communicate our faith such that it can resonate with this influential segment of society. In this, we align with the broader missional church movement which shares our concern and for adapting methods to cultural realities.

Framing our thought and action…

Some popular themes that define a”missional” approach to sharing our faith.

The Gospel of Christ is central to Evangelism. We function within Evangelicalism,as historically and theologically grounded in scripture and the Gospel.
Christian religion, on the other hand represents a diversity with branches of Christianity differing in degrees of understanding, interpretations and accommodations of cultural perspectives. While many internal differences may simply be a matter of differing perspectives on the same God-ordained reality, many will question the views and practice of others as incompatible with the love, grace, and truth of the Gospel. In contrast to being too quick to judge, we seek to understand and promote a spirit of unity, grace and common purpose. Ultimately God is the judge. Let us each be faithful in our own service to God and to one another.
Identity group effects. Groups have significant power to shape values and create conceptual frameworks within which Christians may flourish or be led astray. This natural tendency to gather as like-minded groups, may both function to preserve a genuine Christian faith or may give rise to forms of racism, nationalism, and social groups defined by wealth and social-standing. Missional ministry seeks to overcome the barriers that unduly separate us.
Ideological effects. There are many competing ideologies in Western society that contribute to worldviews that function in competition with, and sometimes as replacements for religious faith. Being aware of how ideology functions is an important part of our awareness of the the powers that lock people into non-Christian views and lifestyles. Cross-cultural ministry addresses the content of ideologies, including both their strengths and weaknesses. Ideologies to be considered include Scientism (something to be distinguished from the discipline of science itself), but many other comprehensive systems (such as communism/Marxism, socialism, liberalism, conservatism, capitalism, etc) exert degrees of appeal that can easily replace or compete with our Christian sense of centrally focusing on God and the Gospel of Christ.
Word and Deed. Integrity of belief and lifestyle is a theme with meaning both in prevailing cultures as well as the teachings of scripture. As Christians, our actions often speak much more loudly than our words. Ethics and forms of accountability are important aspects of the Christian life and witness.
Incarnational Ministry. Within the framework of showing love and care for others, we appreciate the call to be immersed in communities to which we are called to minister. We sense the need also for promoting Christian social responsibility.
Cultural Anthropology. The study of cultures in their different forms and patterns is common to mission outreach whether, traditionally, in overseas contexts of now within our own Western contexts. Awareness of cultural belief systems that give meaning to non-Christians are important aspects of the landscape to be encountered as we move out into the World with our own faith, values, and lifestyle.
Urban Ministry. The realities of city life with its dominant culture descriptions are now considered important to understand as a phenomena that may be resistant to previous methods and styles of Christian belief and community.
Emphasis on Discipleship. While the Christian Life starts with the New Birth (as mostly the result of some form of evangelism), the Growth of that New Life in Christ is an ongoing process of learning and changes in understanding and lifestyle. The former may give us a name change, as we adopt Christianity, but the latter represents a path to maturity, leadership, and potential godly effects on family, friends, and the larger society. We value the process of discipleship as a a path to effective missional outreach.
The pros and cons of Being Traditional. Christians often sense that conservatism and traditionalism are essential components of Christianity. But Christ broke with so many of his social religious and social traditions as he called forth the Kingdom of God as a living presence in the current world. There are ways in which we must hold firm to the truths of scripture and Kingdom teaching, while being creative and flexible in relating to those who are in need of redemption and welcoming into the Family of God.

Our expanding resource base…

Missional Christianity — MCN Resources

Created 2025 07 09