What does "Missional" mean?

Definition and Core Concept

“Missional” refers to a way of living that aligns with the ongoing mission of God to redeem and restore all things through the message of salvation. Rather than limiting the idea of mission work to a specific location or short-term outreach, “missional” living emphasizes that every believer is called to be a witness for the good news wherever they are. This is rooted in the belief that God’s mission is not an afterthought, but a central thread woven throughout the Scriptures, uniting believers in their common purpose under Christ.

Biblical Foundations

Throughout the Bible, God’s people are called to be a light to the nations. In Genesis, God instructs Abraham that through him “all the nations of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 22:18). This calling continues with Israel’s role to testify of God’s holiness (Isaiah 49:6) and is fulfilled fully in Christ, who sends His followers out in the Great Commission:

• “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19–20).

• “As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” (John 20:21)

These verses demonstrate that the followers of Jesus share in His mission. The term “missional,” then, emerges from this scriptural grounding—God’s mission to reconcile the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:18–20) carried forward by the church in every context of life.

God’s Heart for the World

From the opening chapters of Genesis to the depiction of the new creation in Revelation, Scripture underscores that God lovingly pursues humanity. The sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection of Christ stand at the center of this pursuit, offering forgiveness from sin and reconciliation with the Creator. This grand narrative reveals that God does not merely call an exclusive group into salvation; He sends them out to shine His truth among all peoples (Matthew 5:14–16).

Being “missional” is, at heart, a response to God’s compassion for those who have yet to hear or believe the gospel. As 2 Peter 3:9 attests, the Lord is “patient…not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Therefore, missional living is inseparable from a God-centered love that moves outward.

Historical Development of the Term

While the word “missional” has increased in popularity over the last few decades, the concept is as old as the church itself. Early believers in the Book of Acts recognized that the gospel transcended cultural and geographical boundaries. The missionary journeys of Paul documented in Acts 13–28 demonstrate a proactive effort to carry Christ’s message to “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

In subsequent eras, the church extended into every continent, compelled by the same conviction: that God’s mission draws His people out of comfort zones to share the promise of redemption in Christ. Over time, the word “missional” became a concise way of describing this outward-focused posture that has been integral to Christian identity from the beginning.

Missional Living in Everyday Life

Being missional is not restricted to vocational missionaries or pastors. Rather, it involves a mindset that views one’s family, career, neighborhood, and friendships as the arenas where God’s grace is displayed. Colossians 4:5–6 encourages believers to conduct themselves “with wisdom toward outsiders,” seizing daily opportunities to reflect Christ’s compassion, speak truth, and behave in a manner that draws others to Him.

Practically, missional living includes acts of service, hospitality, and sharing the truths of the gospel. The early church believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42), and their shared life opened doors to evangelism that reached neighbors and strangers alike.

Community and Fellowship

The practice of missional living is enriched when believers come together as a local church. Much like the church in the New Testament, modern congregations become communities of worship, discipleship, and mutual edification, all of which strengthen their outreach. Hebrews 10:24–25 urges believers to “spur one another on” and “encourage one another,” highlighting the value of collective support in continuing the work of ministry.

Fellowship and unity offer a compelling testimony to the watching world. Jesus Himself affirmed, “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). This unity, directed outward in tangible service, is a hallmark of missional engagement.

Holistic Emphasis on Word and Deed

Missional living also underscores the importance of demonstrating both word and deed in Christian witness. James 2:14–17 illustrates that faith without works is dead, conveying that sincere belief should produce compassion in tangible actions. Sharing the gospel is essential, and it is complemented by caring for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of others.

Combining clear proclamation with genuine service underlines the transformative power of the truth. Historically, many missionary endeavors incorporated schools, hospitals, and social relief as a means of embodying the gospel. These demonstrations of love have consistently pointed back to the reality of Christ’s reconciling work through the cross and resurrection.

Missional Mindset and the Great Commission

One can view “missional” engagem

ent as the practical outworking of the Great Commission:

• Motivated by the resurrection: The disciples’ encounters with the risen Christ emboldened them to take His message of life and forgiveness to the world (1 Corinthians 15:3–8).

• Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Jesus promised His followers would receive power from the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), enabling them to speak boldly and work miracles that validated the divine origin of their message.

• Focused on disciple-making: “Missional” living leaves no distinction between evangelism and discipleship. The instruction to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) embraces the entire continuum of bringing people to Christ and teaching them to follow His commands.

Practical Implications for Believers

1. Awareness of Sphere of Influence: Each believer is placed in a unique context—home, workplace, community—in which they can show Christ’s compassion and share scriptural truth.

2. Everyday Mission: Acts of kindness and conversations that steer toward spiritual matters are opportunities to live out the gospel. Whether it is caring for a neighbor or being prepared to answer questions about faith (1 Peter 3:15), “missional” believers watch for divine appointments in daily routines.

3. Ongoing Discipleship: Missional living requires growth in biblical knowledge, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. This positions believers to address practical needs and spiritual questions with grace and conviction, while remaining anchored in God’s Word.

Summary and Encouragement

In short, “missional” describes a life intentionally oriented around God’s redemptive work in the world, grounded in the biblical narrative, energized by the resurrection of Christ, and led by the Holy Spirit. It is not an optional program but the natural expression of a faith committed to obeying Jesus’ command to go and proclaim the gospel among all peoples.

Far from being confined to a select few, the call to be missional animates every believer’s devotion to God. May these biblical truths and historical perspectives encourage devoted hearts to join, wholeheartedly, in God’s unchanging mission to bring light, hope, and salvation to the nations.