How Do You Live the Mission?

I'll be starting a Wednesday night small group of 8-12 people in September with focus on living a mission lifestyle. "Tangible Kingdom Primer" offers a way to combine spiritual formation and missional living. IN a small group setting we'll take 10 weeks to get to know Scripture, practice elements of mission living, and talk about our experiences.

In some recent church publicity for the class I used the TKP description that we'd "explore incarnational living and missional community." Someone on our church staff said, "What does that mean in plain English?"

She posed a good question. Yet, isn't it funny that we may fail to use such historic Christian language in the church to the point that it does take a good amount of explanation?!

TKP is a devotional approach to living out the Kingdom of God in a local community in a small group. Other descriptors-- a "field guide for starting mission together." So, it's a mission/evangelism primer based in Scripture, with group discussion, and asking for personal experimentation. That's the incarnational living part-- how do I personally follow Christ (the incarnate of God) in mission? Much of the discussion is also in the context of community-- both how the church reflects a mission movement and how we are truly at work in our community as part of the work of the Kingdom of God. This study should be great for a beginner, but I find there is a depth of material that will allow for some great discussion for Christians & those involved in mission for years.

Here's the agenda:
Sept 7- introduction, meet each other, and receive books-- discuss how we'll use the books. This is a devotional format but there's a certain rhythm to it that we'll need to agree to and reinforce.
Sept 14- Chapter 1- What is Missional?
Sept 21- Chapter 2- What is Incarnational?
Sept 28- Chapter 3- The Gospel
Oct. 5- Chapter 4- What is the Community?
Oct 12- Chapter 5- Living Out
Oct 19- Chapter 6- Inviting In
Oct 26- Chapter 7- Becoming an Apprentice
Nov 2- Chapter 8- The Intuitive Life
Nov 9- Endings & Beginnings

So, you interested in "incarnational living and missional community?"

Refurbishing Old Computers for School Children

Here's a great story about a group that refurbishes old computers and puts them in the hands of school children:

http://onlineathens.com/stories/080908/news_2008080900419.shtml

Nonprofit Medical Clinic

Part of my work finds me involved with community development issues. That has drawn me into the world of nonprofits and the affiliated ministries and partnerships which may emerge when need and opportunity cross paths. So, a few of us are starting a medical clinic group and a community development group. Anyone interested in learning more, sharing your experiences, or helping with funding are welcomed to join the excitement.

Here's an upcoming event for anyone interested in health ministries within a church or for those interested in medical clinic work to meet the needs of the uninsured or underinsured.

http://www.gbophb.org/UserFiles/File/events/emp_min2008.pdf

Mission Outpost

Did you hear this NPR story yesterday? A lot of great concepts employed by a jazz nonprofit in New Mexico. I heard a variety of elements in this story which might transfer to other arenas. Check it out and consider for yourself.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92670088

Civic Index for Quality Public Education

This doesn't seem novel, maybe common sense, though it certainly highlights what SOME communities are missing in public education. This tool looks at the strengths and weaknesses of a local community in regard to public education. Apply to your local school and community, discuss some, and then let's go to work!

http://www.tedprize.org/?p=122