Missional begins at home

It's been a while since I have done any blogging but still writing, mostly papers for my M.Div. classes as well as book I am working on.  This blog is a recent email I sent to the leadership team of our church.


"Hello Friends!   It's always good to be reminded why we are doing what we are doing.  It is because of His great love that we call ourselves His. And as a result we extend that same measure of grace and love to EVERYONE around us.  As I write this, I am reminded of Jesus' statement "freely you have received; freely give."  How true are those words but it is Jesus' command before he made that claim that truly surprises me.  He commands the twelve to "go" but specifically asks them to focus their mission locally (their city) and not Judea, Samaria, or the ends of the earth.  Check it out:
 
⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. ⁶ Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. ⁷ As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,^[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."

God loves Colorado Springs and desires our mission effort to begin first with the place we call "home."  After all what message will we be displaying to those in far areas if they cannot first see and hear about the kingdom presence of God in our own home.  Friends we are in a good season of our movement and we are seeing God work in our own lives and the lives of our city folks.  We are learning our city is hungry for gospel centered communities that meet both "practical" and "spiritual" needs (see Acts 2:42-47).  God is on the move in our city and we not only get to be a part of His dynamic move but pioneers of it as well.  As we continue to learn what it is to be a multicultural growing missional community, many of us are realizing that it is hard work.  Community is easier said then done, easier said than practice.  But if we stay committed and consistent to the mission of it, it is amazing how beautiful it becomes.  God is community and our being created in the imago Dei desires, wants, and needs community.  Thank you for your faithfulness and commitment to the cause of developing these gospel-centered communities in our city. We love you guys." 

 "Missional is being a missionary without ever leaving your zip code" - Ed Stetzer