The Missional Network

On the Road to Emmaus Luke 24: 13-35

01 Recently I was reading “On the Road to Emmaus” and was struck by vs. 16 “but they were kept from recognizing him”. Why was this, I wonder? Was it because the disciples were not ready to see Jesus or was it that they were not “open” to seeing him? How often are our eyes not open to seeing Jesus at work in the community? I wonder how often we don't “see” Jesus at work in our midst...in those situations that we don't typically label as mission.

01The outcome belongs to God
Genesis 12: 6-7 "Abraham (came)... to Shechem, to the oak of Moreh... Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said “to your seed I will give this land”"

I imagine Abraham set out on his journey with a certain degree of vulnerability, apprehension even. What had he done in leaving behind the security of familiar surroundings? Is this journey really foolishness or wisdom?

Then he comes to a large oak tree. The tree has developed from a small acorn – within the acorn was one seed. It might have taken hundreds of years for the seed to become the spreading oak. Perhaps God used that tree to strengthen Abraham’s resolve as He speaks to Abraham about his own ‘seed’. It is an image that will stay with him. Without such an image it is easy to become disillusioned with our achievements in the light of what was promised by God. What are you planting? What might God make of it in generations to come?

01 Missional churches practice a dynamic proclamation of the gospel, in a variety of modes and forms. They practice a missional reading of Scripture. They also practice a missional strategy of presence, action, and word. These missional practices are fluid, contextual, indigenous, gospel affirming, biblically based, and under constant renewal and reform. The expression and range of these practices will vary according to context and culture, but they are always an expression of the missional nature of the church. The missional church evidences missional practices and characteristics, as it seeks to be “one body and one Spirit” with “one Lord, one faith, one baptism”

01“After this...”
Jesus sent the 72 only after teaching that followership meant homelessness, social distress, & single-mindedness.

01Leaving the Familiar
Genesis 12:1-3 "Go from your country..."
This seminal passage in the Hebrew Scriptures reminds us that mission involves leaving the familiar in response to the call of God. Abraham’s destination was uncertain, even if the outcome was assured. Sometimes we can crave the security of knowing the destination before we start on the journey; yet despite the fact that ‘foxes have their burrows’ and ‘birds their nests’ all we have is the journey and we may need to leave some things behind in order to make that journey. What do you need to leave behind at this point in time?