Patterns of a Missional Church

ELCA Mission Development Training - Part II

Rev. Mary Sue Dreier, Ph.D.February 13, 2010

“The Holy Trinity”

Andrei Rublev, Ca. 1410

From:

Treasure in Clay Jars

Edited by. Lois Barrett

Pattern 1. Missional Vocation

What is God doing in our community? What is God calling us to be or to do?

What glimpses, inklings, ideas do “WE” have about our mission in the community? What gifts might we have for this emerging mission?

Pattern 2. Biblical Formation & Discipleship

The Bible shapes our life together

What are we doing with the Bible in these

early stages of our life together?

Pattern 3. Taking Risks as a Contrast Community

Jesus Christ Crucified and Risen lives in our community through us.

That makes us different from the world! What risks might our church be called to

take for the sake of the gospel in our community? How might that affect us?

Pattern 4. Practices that Demonstrate God’s Intent for the World

We are God’s “demonstration plot” for how God intends people to live together.

What Christian practices are evident in how we treat each other?

Pattern 5. Worship as Public Witness

It’s a public community event, praising God and giving public witness to God.

It’s the main thing we do in our communities!

How is our worship “goingpublic” with praise and witness?

Pattern 6. Dependence upon the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the real mission developer! We participate as God creates new churches.

Prayer connects us to the power of the Spirit.

What prayer practices are wedeveloping?

Pattern 7. Pointing toward the Reign of God

We point to God and not to ourselves. We are sinful, make mistakes, and live by forgiveness.

What are the particular challenges and failures that we’ve already faced? How are these things helping us grow in mission?

Pattern 8. Missional Authority

Holy Spirit gives many different gifts to the “priesthood of all believers” for the mission of the church.

How are we helping people cultivate their gifts to help leadour God-given mission?

Pattern 9. Here “For the Sake of the World”

We are not here “for the sake of the church” but “for the sake of the world.”

We “come to go.”

What are we doing forothers in our community?