Fitch/Driscoll Cage Match

The conclusion Fitch makes is so well put. I think so many of us are sick of highly efficient church growth…blah, blah, blah…it is an approach to “lost souls” that doesn’t require any dirt or sweat. Look at Jesus. Look at Jesus touching, eating, drinking, walking, reclining, crying, sleeping, getting dirty, walking with the crowd of “lost souls.” Conversion isn’t something that can be measured when it is happening to people. It just happens—and when it does, I personally think that our Creator wants it to confound the “wise.”

I am not very familiar with how it works, but I wonder if missional communities could learn from and adapt aspects of the Neighborhood Impact Ministry, a sub-ministry within World Impact. I know that it starts with someone moving into or already living in a neighborhood who opens their home for Bible Study, parties, etc. And that they do it in the context of real relationship, not just weekly meetings.

Also, in regards to Driscoll’s statement about missional churches not leading to converts, I am finding that people in my life who have sought God hard for decades and not felt they were finding Him in the presentation the church tends to give of Him, are now getting excited, and finding their place in God’s dreams for His creation. It is so fun to be a part of this! I am honored to be used by God to help people get to know and love Jesus without having to become something they are not. It sucks to have to be legalistic when you can just be real. I am not involved in a missional community, as the idea is still something I am trying to figure out. Although I think Shane Claiborne’s “The Irrisistible Revolution” is probably portraying what is meant by the term. :-)

I just wanted to say that I’m a big Driscoll fan when it comes to his church’s ministries and theology, and i wanted to say i was very pleased to see no Driscoll bashing on here. I think that says quite a bit about your heart in showing different sides of things. Thanks in Christ.

Josh.