8 ways to be missional in a small community context
Because many in the Bible belt have been raised in a
Christian context, they feel that they are Christian though they may not know
anything about the Gospel. As well, there are many who grew up going to church
and in fact have experienced a saving relationship with God. However they are
no longer attending church and have not for years.
Many of these people are living lives that are entrenched in
deep overt sin. Others are living exceptionally moral lives. Each of these
groups that are being lived out are done so, “far from God”. Additionally, since most who live in the Bible belt believe
themselves to be Christian because the name of the state on their driver’s
license is from the Bible belt, I am including them in the group “far from
God”.
So the following group
that I will call “far from God” includes the following:
a . Those who are Christian in name only.
b .
Believers who have strayed from the Gospel and
are living immoral lives.
c .
Believers who have strayed from the Gospel and
are living morally upright lives.
Following are 8 ways
to be missional in a small community context.
1.
Eat with Non-Christians and those who are “far
from God”.
a.
Because we eat at least 3 meals a day, let’s
begin to share these meals with others. Let’s include those who are far from
God as well as those who freely admit that they are not Christian.
b.
This may include
i.
neighbors
ii.
friends from work
iii.
new people who have moved into town
2.
Be a regular.
a.
If your town is not too small, seek to do
business with the same people every time you make a transaction. Just make sure
that those who are the ones you are interacting with are far from God. Some
examples might be:
i.
purchase your gas from the same gas station
ii.
go to the same pharmacy
iii.
eat at
the same diners etc…
iv.
drink coffee with the coffee drinkers in the
community
3.
Hobby with Non-Christians and those who are “far
from God”.
a.
Fish
b.
Crochet
c.
Sew
d.
Yard work
e.
Gardening flower/vegetable
f.
Walking
g.
Writing
h.
Music
i.
Cooking
j.
Collecting
4.
Participate in community events.
a.
Parades
b.
Musical events
c.
Theater
d.
Dance
e.
Recitals
f.
Clean ups
g.
Festivals
h.
Fundraisers
i.
If the town is really small, participate in the
events that occur within the local high school(s) and junior high(s).
i.
Basketball games
ii.
Volleyball games
iii.
Football
iv.
Track
v.
FCA projects
vi.
Academic contests
vii.
Teacher aids
viii.
Story reading
5.
Seek to step out of your comfort zone and talk
to people. The best conversation takes place when we listen. As we listen we
are able to formulate questions that helps direct the conversation. By doing so
we learn about others. We learn their hopes, their passions, their desires,
their dreams, their pain, loss they have experienced.
a.
Through listening we are able to better
understand who these people are and why they say the things they say, do the
things they do and are the people they are.
b.
We are also better equipped to pray for these
people.
c.
We are better equipped to love them and show
compassion.
d.
We learn what these people are not believing
about the Gospel and are able to show them how they may have hope.
Those whom we may talk to are:
i.
Those who we do regular business with.
ii.
Co-Workers
iii.
Neighbors
iv.
Those whom we participate with in community
events
v.
Strike up conversations with people you do not
know.
6.
Volunteer with Non-Profits.
a.
Thrift stores
b.
Environment related organizations
c.
Animal related organizations
d.
Health services
e.
Human services
f.
International or foreign affairs
7.
Serve your neighbors.
a.
Yard work
b.
Painting
c.
Wash their car
d.
Baby sit
e.
Animal sit
f.
House watch
8.
Seek to be missional in all things. Or another
way of saying that is seek to be a blessing. Whether we help paint another’s
home, volunteer at the local thrift store or eat with those who are far from
God, we are to do it all for His glory. Do not add these things to our lives as
“to do” lists but as the way of life; a life that is joyously lived out serving
others out of the overflow of our love for our Creator.
a.
In all things seek to be a blessing to others.
Be creative in ways that you might be a blessing.
b.
Even more, listen to the Spirit’s prompting and
obey. We have been commanded to be a blessing and if we are seeking to do so,
God will bring people across our paths who we are to bless. Listen to His
prompting and obey and step back to see what God does through our blessing both
to the person whom we have blessed as well as to ourselves.
by Michael J. Lee
