lifeasmission

A Missional Retreat (not an oxymoron)

May 20, 2007

A common misconception about what it means to be missional is that it really comes down to being outward focused and serving others. This is not the case. Cultivating missional community is deeper and more holistic than this. It has to do with investing time and energy in things which contribute to a group of people developing a certain character – becoming a certain kind of people so that they can interpret (and be interpreted by) Scripture together as well as discern the Spirit’s voice and leading in their midst. This opens the door for what I am calling a “Missional Retreat.” In my thinking this isn’t a retreat as traditionally understood – an opportunity to “recharge your spiritual batteries” or “get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.” No, it’s more like being intentional about cultivating relationship with those who you are seeking to share life and mission with. It’s taking time to dwell in the ordinariness of life to experience more fully who people are, what they’re all about – where and how God is present and active in their lives.

In this vein, the church community I am a part of decided to spend last weekend together at Hermosa beach. There was no real agenda, just taking the time to be with one another and to pray together. We participated in a few sessions of the Divine Hours (you can do them yourself here) together and prayed for each other, our local community of Pasadena, and the world at large. It really was a great weekend together, though some weren’t able to join us. Here’s some pictures, brought to you by a handy dandy little tool called flickrSLiDR.

Posted in: church, community, friends, missional