GlocalNet

Guest blogger Omar Reyes,

The essence of a Missional Community is rooted in Matthew 18:29 .  Jesus said that where two or three gather in His name He will be among them. The DNA of a missional community must be Jesus.  It should not be defined by what we do, social works, working with the poor, church planting. It is defined by Jesus Himself, the incarnate Christ dwelling in His church.  Neither group dynamics, the effectiveness of the leaders, communication skills, celebration events, evangelistic campaigns, meeting mechanics, warm community or spiritual experiences will sustain and drive that growth of God’s work in the world today.  Only a community that has the indwelling presence of Christ, His living power, His working power, His ministering purpose can be His instrument in the 21st century for again “turning the world upside down”

A group that meets to think about Christ is not enough. I don’t need to just think about Christ, I need to encounter Him, my brothers.

A group that meets to help each other through combined sanctified personal wisdom and abilities is not enough. I don’t need to be built up and edified by the well meaning words and abilities of man. I need to be built up by the Words and power of Christ Himself

A group that goes out into the world to do some ministry for Christ is not enough. The world does not need me to minister to it. It needs Christ.

Jesus is not an absentee landlord. He constantly tried to reassure His disciples about this:

“ I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you”
“Lo, I am with you forever, even to the end of the world”
“Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am in their midst”
“The Spirit will be in you and with you”