Seeking Agreement on Use of Terms: Missional Christianity and Missional Church

The literature on the Missional Church Movement recognizes that terms her can be used in multiple ways.  Indeed, the idea of contextualization suggests the need for adaptation.  As a local effort to promote active lay ministry in our local community and beyond, we want to promote both the active engagement of Chrisstians in outward in community-based activity whether or not it is formally connected as goals of a local church.

I focus here primarily on the terms Missional Christianity and Missional Church.

1. 1. Missional Christianity may be defined as the activity of the Missional Church, where “Church” can also be defined in two ways: either as a local institution having an outward focus, or as the Community of Believers, the Body of Christ, prepared and motivated to be active in the world as Ambassadors of the Kingdom.
   2. Our use of the term Missional Church is thus broadly and inclusively defined. While we may focus our support on equipping and encouraging Believers, as individuals, to  be engaged in Missional Christianity, we can also encourage and support local churches that seek to give priority to outward missional engagement in various communities.
   3. By seeking to be supportive of both individuals and churches, we want to give opportunity to share experiences, learn from one another, and promote better preparation and strengthening within our community for a variety of missional endeavours.