One of the questions we were asked recently is whether or not it’s even possible for a leader to transition a traditional or attractional church into a missional disciple-making movement.
Gravity coach Mac McCarthy and Jody Been have been doing this for a few years now, and they recorded a video (while driving! In a car!) where they share 3 tactics they’ve discovered for shifting a church from attractional to missional.
If you’ve wanted to initiate a shift in your church from traditional / attractional to missional, this is just fantastic advice:
Here are the 3 shifts they talked about that have been key for them in transforming their church:
- Start with theology, not programs
- Start with your own personal transformation, not culture
- Shift from running programs to developing people
What do you think? Leave a comment below to join the conversation!
Really good stuff! Very practical and healthy wisdom.
I worked at a mega church and the desired tradition did not go well. The one thing I would add to this list is the senior leader or leadership team has to be involved at a high level (preaching about it, spearheading it, “bought in”,etc.) it seems if that is not there from the start transition should be avoided, delayed, or it’s time to plant a missional sister church.
Love what you guys are doing. Keep up the good work!
Hey Mike! Yes, senior leadership is super important. We’ve been blessed with a lead pastor and elder board that is willing to take risks and try new things as we seek to join God’s work in our community. Right on!
The video “Can You Actually Move From Attractional to Missional?” is thoughtful, very well done. You are my teacher! May God bless you in your ministry and in your continual growth as His servants.
Gailyn Van Rheenen
http://www.missiology.org/com
Thanks Gailyn! Appreciate your encouragement and positive feedback!
Thanks Guys! Could you put me in touch with Matt and Jody at Crosspointe Community? They are relatively near us in Wisconsin, and it would be good to engage in a dialogue as a few of us are wanting to do this very thing in a traditional church here in Appleton. Also, we are leading a group of city pastors and leaders in an initiative to saturate our city with the Gospel by determining what it would mean for us to be on mission together to reach every man, woman and child with the Gospel (using materials from Christ Together (.org). I want to focus emphasis upon living the vision out in my neighborhood (which we have organized) and the traditional church within. Also want to begin a missional community focusing on believers within the larger neighborhood. All to live the vision with integrity AND to have stories to share of fruit procured. Any suggestions on how to start an MC with a small church whose members live a distance from the neighborhood and knowledge of a number of believers within the neighborhood from various churches?
Thanks!
Hey Jim! Feel free to reach out anytime (http://www.crosspointwi.com)! Also, given the work you hope to engage in moving forward, I’d encourage you to sign up for some coaching with Gravity if you haven’t done so already 🙂
Thanks for the reminder that change takes years not months. Building and investing always takes longer than I think it should.
Thanks Heather! Yes, patience has been a challenge for me, but transformation takes time. No way around it…
I love the idea that attractional and missional DON’T need to be pitted against each other. This is common when we discuss home church, missional community, etc…but God is not against buildings or programs. The issue is what is the focus…and if it’s on our personal transformation and developing others as well, then it can totally be legit and empowering…and the program is just the attractional thing, the stabilizing thing…almost, a dumb excuse to get together to start talking about real stuff. Love it.
Thanks Brad! Yes, missional and attractional often get pitted against one another in unfortunate ways. At the heart of missional theology is the conviction that God is the primary actor and agent of mission. Our role is secondary and participatory, both within and outside of the church building. Our programs and weekend services at Crosspoint are still intentionally attractive, but they are also postured to attend to God’s leadership and activity.