For the last few years the word "missional" has been used and abused a great deal. As with any buzzword there are varieties of meaning attached to it and sometimes people talk past each other because each has different connotations in mind when saying "missional." For some the contrast is the word "attractional." An attractional church tries to get people in the door of the congregation by offering programs and services that draw people into the activities and life of the congregation. By contrast, a missional church sees that its members must go where the people are and connect to them there, rather than thinking that the primary interactions are going to be in existing events or programs of the church.
For some it seems that the focus on being missional in the local setting pulls away from international missions, which seems to be part of a traditional church model. Or, it may allow for international ministry only of the short-term variety in which members personally go, connecting with others where they are. Is supporting an international missionary with prayer, care and financial gifts just a cop-out, a way of saying you are about extending the Gospel without really investing yourself? Or, are there ways to do international missions that fit with the missional church ethos?
What do you think?
