See a new interview with Jim Somerville
in which he talks about the importance of the church in God's mission in the world, what
differentiates the church from other groups and organizations who do good
things, and how someone can find his/her place to make a difference.
"The church is not simply a gathering of well-meaning individuals who
have entered into a social contract to meet their privately defined
self-interests. It is, instead, an intentional and disciplined community
witnessing to the power and the presence of God's reign." (Missional
Church, edited by Darrell Guder, p. 159)
"The missional life shows up in every endeavor... This is what it means to be
on mission with God... It is not a mission that is pursued as something added to
daily life, something outside the normal range of activity, a quest to do
something beyond your life's assignments. It is a way of seeing oneself as partnering with God in daily life, executing the mundane as well as pursuing
the sublime, with an intentionality of blessing people and sharing the life of
God with them." - Reggie McNeal in Missional Renaissance.
Is the term "Missional" new to you? In short, "Missional
churches seek to minister by being the presence of Christ both in their local
communities and in the global community of God's world." That definition comes
from "A Primer for the Missional Journey of the 21st Century Church"
prepared by the staff of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
Click here to read the entire article (10 pages plus a list of resources).
Alan Hirsch says, "Missional
represents a significant shift in the way we think about the church. As the
people of a missionary God, we ought to engage the world the same way he does—by
going out rather than just reaching out."
(Read his entire article on the "Christianity Today" web site.)
Our Pastor led three Wednesday evening sessions in April 2009, on what it means to be a Baptist, a member of First Baptist Church, and what it means to be a member of a missional church. On Sunday, May 3, the
congregation gathered to hear the specifics of how the ministries and staff are being organized to maximize our efforts to do what Jesus called us to do.
Check this web page frequently for new information about how Richmond's First
Baptist Church is trying to embrace the Great Commandment ("love God with all
your heart, mind, soul, and strength and your neighbor as yourself") and fulfill
the Great Commission ("go into all the world and make disciples of every nation,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and teaching them
to obey" all that Jesus commanded his disciples).
FBC exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ through joyful worship, caring fellowship, spiritual
nurture, faithful service & compassionate outreach in the Richmond area and throughout the world.
This site is maintained by the Communication Ministry of First Baptist Church.
Send comments or suggestions to the FBC webmaster.
