Missional Leadership: Defining Your Mission Field
Defining Your Mission Field
As Christ-centered leaders seeking to lead people to follow Jesus, you need to understand current reality (episode 285) and the church’s changing role in society (Episode 286). In this episode, we focus on defining your mission field and forging relationships that hold the potential to change lives.
You’ll hear us say it during the episode, but it is important to state it here too – the life that is likely to be changed is yours. Ministry is not about doing things to people. We are conduits of God’s goodness and grace, but, only God can change lives.
Missional Questions
The episode begins by highlighting the seven fundamental missional questions that serve as guideposts for crafting purposeful leadership. These questions facilitate a deep understanding of the mission and purpose of the church, the assets and needs of the community, and the critical role of relationships in the transformative process.
At the core of the discussion lies the notion of discerning and defining one’s mission field. Unlike a mere demographic analysis, this approach emphasizes the significance of field-testing the insights gained from demographic reports. Authentic relationships, rather than statistics, become the bedrock of missional leadership. This shift toward relational engagement is highlighted as the third aspect of missional leadership, following previous explorations of other aspects in earlier podcast episodes.
Intentionality with Your Mission Field
The hosts, Sara and Tim, accentuate the importance of focus and intentionality in selecting a mission field. Whether it’s a specific geographic area, an age demographic, or a community agency, decide what resonates with the local context and aligns with Christ-centered values. Listen for real worls illustrations, showcasing how churches have successfully anchored their mission fields to make a tangible impact.
Relationships
Throughout the episode, a recurring theme emerges: the transformational power of relationships. The hosts stress that missional leadership isn’t about getting people to church on Sunday mornings; it’s about meeting people where they are and forming genuine connections. These connections are the catalyst for change, fostering mutual transformation as leaders engage with their communities authentically.
Reflection on the 7 Missional Questions
As the episode draws to a close, the hosts provide practical insights for listeners to engage in missional leadership. They encourage regular reflection on the seven missional questions, emphasizing that genuine transformation starts with personal growth and shifts in perspective. Listeners are invited to discover God’s presence in their communities, collaborate with local leaders, and continually focus on Jesus as they navigate their mission field.
Listen to Related Episodes
Episode 285:Then and Now a Call to Missional Leadership
Episode 286: Church and Society – A Call to Missional Leadership