Comments on: 10 Things To Not Expect From a Missional Church http://www.jasonsalamun.com/2009/12/10-things-to-not-expect-from-a-missional-church/ A Blog by Pastor of Project Church Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:43:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Dave James http://www.jasonsalamun.com/2009/12/10-things-to-not-expect-from-a-missional-church/comment-page-1/#comment-546 Dave James Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:22:34 +0000 http://www.jasonsalamun.com/?p=1899#comment-546 If you agree with David Fitch, how would you respond to my comments? Just curious If you agree with David Fitch, how would you respond to my comments?

Just curious

]]> By: Jason http://www.jasonsalamun.com/2009/12/10-things-to-not-expect-from-a-missional-church/comment-page-1/#comment-544 Jason Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:33:08 +0000 http://www.jasonsalamun.com/?p=1899#comment-544 Hey Dave - To be clear, I'm not the author of the piece. Wish I was though because I think David Fitch does a good job in describing a typical missional church. Hey Dave – To be clear, I’m not the author of the piece. Wish I was though because I think David Fitch does a good job in describing a typical missional church.

]]> By: Dave James http://www.jasonsalamun.com/2009/12/10-things-to-not-expect-from-a-missional-church/comment-page-1/#comment-543 Dave James Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:20:03 +0000 http://www.jasonsalamun.com/?p=1899#comment-543 I find it interesting that over the 25 years that I have been saved since age 26, the things you define as not what one should expect from a missional church have not at all defined the traditional conservative evangelical churches that I have been involved with either. This is why I have found it odd and disconcerting that up-and-coming young "missional" leaders are so intent on changing so many things - and actually end up only changing certain things in ways and with an attitude that tends to alienate the segment of the fellowship that is over 50 years old - and thus largely contradicts and discredits their whole philosophy about being organic and connected. Concerning #10 - I think it is unfortunate and misguided to equate "doctrinal outlier issues like dispensationalism" with arguments over color of carpet. First, in 25 years I have never heard an argument over dispensationalism within a church - but rather it has been taught with careful exegesis for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry. Second, who gets to define what are doctrinal outlier issues? The issue here, is not dispensationalism, per se, but how one gets there based on one's hermeneutic - which also defines other doctrine, like the gospel itself. And third, I have found that one's theological underpinnings, including dispensationalism, drive mission - and therefore drive the conversation. But, I have never once heard anyone standing around in a church lobby where dispensationalism was directly driving the conversation - but I have heard people discussing concerns about friends and family - things that are "missional." Unfortunately, this whole thing seems rather "Quixotic" - fighting windmill dragons and straw-men - which is the very thing that of which traditional evangelical churches are being regularly accused. Dave James The Alliance for Biblical Integrity I find it interesting that over the 25 years that I have been saved since age 26, the things you define as not what one should expect from a missional church have not at all defined the traditional conservative evangelical churches that I have been involved with either. This is why I have found it odd and disconcerting that up-and-coming young “missional” leaders are so intent on changing so many things – and actually end up only changing certain things in ways and with an attitude that tends to alienate the segment of the fellowship that is over 50 years old – and thus largely contradicts and discredits their whole philosophy about being organic and connected.

Concerning #10 – I think it is unfortunate and misguided to equate “doctrinal outlier issues like dispensationalism” with arguments over color of carpet. First, in 25 years I have never heard an argument over dispensationalism within a church – but rather it has been taught with careful exegesis for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry.

Second, who gets to define what are doctrinal outlier issues? The issue here, is not dispensationalism, per se, but how one gets there based on one’s hermeneutic – which also defines other doctrine, like the gospel itself.

And third, I have found that one’s theological underpinnings, including dispensationalism, drive mission – and therefore drive the conversation. But, I have never once heard anyone standing around in a church lobby where dispensationalism was directly driving the conversation – but I have heard people discussing concerns about friends and family – things that are “missional.”

Unfortunately, this whole thing seems rather “Quixotic” – fighting windmill dragons and straw-men – which is the very thing that of which traditional evangelical churches are being regularly accused.

Dave James
The Alliance for Biblical Integrity

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