Missional.  It’s a new word in many churches today, but it’s not a new concept at all.  As a matter of fact, God’s call on His people to live missional lives is as old as the book of Genesis.  Simply put, to be missional means to join with God in His redemptive mission.  And a church that is missional is a body of people joining with God in His redemptive mission who gather in community for worship, encouragement, and teaching from the Word.

As Christians, we often fall into the trap of thinking that God’s redemptive plan is just about getting as many people to heaven as possible with little regard to the concept of redeeming (or rescuing, or making things right) here on earth.  But when Jesus sent out the disciples, He gave them the authority to not just proclaim the Kingdom of God, but to actually bring some of the redemption of that Kingdom to earth through healing people (making things right for them, redeeming them).

Luke 9:1-2 says that “he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.”  Jesus gave them the power to not only proclaim the good news: that the Kingdom of God was at hand with the arrival of Jesus but also to heal and cast out demons. To redeem (make right) things right here and right now.

In Luke 10:8-9, Jesus said, “Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”  Jesus told them to heal the sick and as they do, to say, “The Kingdom of God has come.”

The mission of God through Jesus is to make all things new, to set all things right, to bring His kingdom of redemption to earth as it is in heaven.  So, missional living then is living in such a way that we join Him in that mission – the mission of redemption.