On Thinning Ice
I have a deep concern about this movement called missional. It appears that we are moving towards being not much more than books, conferences and conversation. Lots of talk, talk, talk.
Now I suspect I’m wrong on this point, at least I hope so. But if missional is more than just talk, where are the stories? Where are the tales of people living incarnationally in those communities where God has lead them to dwell? Why don’t we hear more from them? Why is story telling not an important part of our conferences and conversations?
I once read this about the power of story:
Story, as a pattern, is a powerful way of organizing and sharing individual experience and exploring and co-creating shared realities. It forms one of the underlying structures of reality, comprehensible and responsive to those who possess what we call narrative intelligence. Our psyches and cultures are filled with narrative fields of influence, or story fields, which shape the awareness and behavior of the individuals and collectives associated with them.
Note that story is a tool “which shape the awareness and behavior of the individuals and collectives associated with them.” We need this desperately within the missional movement. Without it we die.
I understand that many are reluctant to share the intimate and often confidential detail about their interaction with people. I don’t share certain stuff either, but it seems to me that general stories about community engagement could be told in such a way that it would honor the telling and encourage Jesus followers towards their own engagement.
So let’s start to tell more stories.
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Tags: Books, Conferences, Conversation, Missional, Story
February 4th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Great thoughts. I find myself thinking about how to be missional far more often than actually BEING a missionary. I think part of it is that truly making the shift from church as we’ve always done it is a big step mentally: it is like we can sit and think about how big of a shift being missional vs. attractional really is all day. Making the shift with our lives is, obviously, an even bigger shift.
So my hunch is that you’re right. This movement is, and may always be, on thin ice; its success depends on us living out missional lives so that we actually have stories to tell. And this is a great challenge, full of risks. Thanks for the instigation not only to tell more stories, but to live out the mission so there are stories to tell!
Kevin Bobrow
February 4th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
I think there is plenty of missional activity going on. The problem—if it can be called that—is that it is largely boring, menial drudgery. Living with and serving people in the trenches just isn’t that interesting.
Okay, maybe that’s a little harsh. Yet I’m trying to think of good stories to tell. The only good ones I have are untellable, out of concern for the dignity and privacy of the people concerned.
February 5th, 2010 at 12:42 am
Hi Rick, Just thought I’d share a local home grown story ( Victoria BC ), not a missional church…but, depending your perspective, it could be. I’ve been involved with this group fro a year now. Initially, 6 years ago, 2 women, Charon and Kathy were noticing a community of people living rough on the inner city streets…this group was the severely addicted, mental health issues that were even on the fringe of soup kitchens, and emergency shelters. They started off with 2 garden carts, handing out bag lunches and hot chocolate. Today, its likely close to 12 carts, handing out lunches, clothing, personal care kits, underwear, mits, gloves, sleeping bags, blankets. There is no schedule volunteers faithfully come, new comers may come once bringing whatever the would like to give out. Last week, we had a highschool guy, came with 6 dozen hard boiled eggs, salt and pepper to give out. A construction worker, Sam. shows up every week with 100$ worth of chocolate bars. We usually start of in the parking lot behind the Capitol Six theater…open in prayer before we head out on to the streets. The homeless have lead prayer, people with no or questioning faith have lead prayer…there is areal sense all are accepted, all equal. And the beautiful thing…in the face of poverty, addiction, illness, people are discovering Jesus.
Anyway, nothing big, just a brick in the building of the Kingdom in a corner of the global village.( http://www.cartsvictoria.ca/ )
February 5th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Kevin: Thanks for stopping in and commenting. It is a challenge to move people from that which they know and are comfortable with. I struggle with it also.
February 5th, 2010 at 9:21 am
I hear you Cameron, but I find the stories around living with and serving people in the trenches very interesting because they help me “see” others modeling incarnational living. Maybe this has something to do with learning style.
February 5th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Ron, great story! Man, that is just a super example of a story of people just seeing where God is at work and joining him. Thanks for sharing it.
February 5th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
What is one of your stories?
February 5th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Fair question Mike. I’ve shared them over time, so here is a sampler:
http://blindbeggar.org/?p=667 (I’m the Rick in this story.)
http://blindbeggar.org/?p=553
http://blindbeggar.org/?p=645
http://blindbeggar.org/?p=385 (These images are generally biographical.)
http://blindbeggar.org/?p=673
February 6th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
The Apostle Paul was uncompromising on the truth, but his sensitive side also shows up in his writings. In our busy, self-centred world, we need to remember those who have made a difference in our lives, and when they come to mind, pray for them, and find a way to say ‘thank you.’
Establish and increase your faith carefully choosing the Biblical values against which all of life is judged. Yes, you are human, and you will struggle with situations which demand that you choose between what you want to do and what you ought to do. Walk with God and maintain your integrity, and you will be able to make the right choice every time.
February 6th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
You completely lost me Simon and beats me how your comment fits with the post.
February 7th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
[...] that I don’t care about the emerging church anymore by Sarah Bessey/Emerging Mummy, and on thinning ice by Rick Meigs/The Blind Beggar, on the missional [...]
February 7th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Hi Rick, as you can see in the previous pingback, I just posted something on this subject. It started out as a comment to this blog post, but quickly grew into something bigger and so I posted it on my own blog. Perhaps it will give a different perspective on the issues …
http://futuristguy.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/could-missional-conversation-implode-the-movement/
February 7th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Good post Brad. Thanks for the heads-up. I encourage everyone to give it a read.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
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This comment was originally posted on Twitter
February 18th, 2010 at 9:18 am
Rick,
Thanks for this post. Like you, I became a bit discouraged by not hearing more of the stories. Over the past several months I have met several that are living stories that need telling. For that reason, I have pursued seeing that some of these stories are told with a group of guys (The Upstream Collective) I work with from time to time. Some of these stories are here in the U.S., some are around the world. These stories can be found at http://blog.theupstreamcollective.org/
I look forward to continuing to live a worthwhile story and enjoying and sharing the journey of others that are seeking to live sent.
February 18th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
To be truly missional, one must have actually experienced the pains of being a follower of the suffering servant, Jesus Christ. It is living real life in the midst of others, and being able to identify with their pain because of your own pain.
The Fragrance of Being Missional: Being the aroma of Christ in the world
February 18th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Almost, it’s great that you are getting the stories shared, and thanks for the link.
February 18th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Bob, good to see you drop in. I liked what you had to say in that post. Raises the question, what does it look like in our affluent American culture to “suffer for Christ”? It appears from the context of 2 Cor. 1:4-5 that Paul equates living through life’s troubles as sharing abundantly in Christ’s sufferings. How would read it?
February 18th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
Yes. As you and I both know from our recent near-tragic brushes with death, it is in those times that we most identify with how Christ trusted in His Father in times of overwhelming difficulty. And it is because of that comfort we have received from God that we are able to minister more readily in a missional way.
February 18th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Amen Bob!