Top Ten Missional Bee-Attitudes

Rich Wagner was kind enough to mention my Top Ten Ways to Fail at Being Missional on his blog. In the comments that ensued, Franklin offered a gentle critique which noted that missional/emergent types tend to be more deconstructive than constructive. In other words, while my “top ten” list may be on-target, it still focuses on what we should not do, rather than what we should be doing. I agree with Franklin, and I very much appreciate him taking the time to call me on it.

So Franklin, this is for you:

Top Ten Missional Bee-Attitudes

10. Be Grateful: The opportunity to participate in God’s story is an awesome privilege. Be grateful for all that he calls you to do for the sake of the Kingdom.

9. Be Useful: People who channel their skills and abilities into something productive are appreciated and welcomed by others. This is true in almost all contexts, no matter what personal foibles you have. Trust me on this.

8. Be Trustworthy: Keep confidences and commitments. Let your “yes mean yes” and “no mean no”. (James 5:12)

7. Be Observant: Look for opportunities to be of service. Look for opportunities for missional interactions. Look for needs to be met. Examine cultural contexts closely to discover ways in which the gospel can be presented.

6. Be Real: People can spot a poser from a mile away. You can and should be yourself even as you work to learn and understand and interact with different cultures and subcultures.

5. Be Daring: Have more faith in your abilities than your limitations. (In fact, have more faith in God’s abilities than your limitations!)

4. Be Respectful: Learn and practice appropriate cultural etiquette. Take the time to listen before speaking. Learn to assume that people are well-intentioned until proven otherwise.

3. Be Generous: With your time, your talents, your resources, and your love. God loves a cheerful giver, and so do most people.

2. Be Humble: I think that Luke 10:20 “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”, pretty much says it all.

1. Be Holy: We have been created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10), and to be salt and light to the world (Matthew 5:13-16). Don’t lose your savor or hide your light: Let others see God’s grace working in you so that they may know, and have it, too.