Steve Addison had a great post yesterday comparing a missional fad with a missional movement. He says that a lot of churches that call themselves “emerging” or “missional” do not do evangelism. He quotes a study by Eddie Gibbs and Ryan Bolger that says “emerging churches” have lost confidence in the gospel, blurred the distinction between the church and the world, and redefined mission away from evangelism towards social and political agendas.
Steve then goes on to identify a number of characteristics that a genuine missional movement would need to possess. These include having a heart for global mission (not just for mission to next-door neighbours), making disciples, paying their own way, being faithful to the gospel, having their vision validated by action, having children and grandchildren everywhere, and being out on the fringe.
Steve’s post has helped me clarify the uneasy feeling I have got from attending church planting conferences and reading church planting books which suggest that churches should become smaller. The real problem is not one of size but one of purpose and effectiveness. When sporting a goatee and getting tattoos in order to identify with a particular group of people becomes a substitute for actually telling them the good news and making disciples, then something has gone seriously awry.