missional in u-city 1
- Filed under: culture, emerging culture, evangelism, incarnational, missional living, multi-ethnic, postmodern, reflections, relationships
- Date: Oct 8,2008
I am sitting in a St. Louis Bread Co. on the Delmar Loop in University City…
I’m surrounded by students from nearby Washington University, business professionals, artists, the urban poor, bohemians.
I’m a block away from such landmarks such as Vintage Vinyl, The Pageant, Blueberry Hill, The Tivoli Theatre, Fitz’s, and the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
I’m about a mile northeast from my home church community, The Journey @ Hanley Road.
The Loop is a microcosm of urban America. It is a melting pot for cultures, races, ages, socio-economic classes, etc. As for St. Louis, this is one of the most eclectic and vibrant spots in the Lou. The street life alone is amazing.
So why am I here? Because I’m convicted. I’m not living the Great Commission and the Great Commandment like I should. At least to the level I think God expects.
I’m a mile away from the church I attend and I feel like my worship has terminated on itself. Why isn’t it propelling me out into the surrounding community? I’m trying to face these questions head on.
So I’m here. To be a missionary. Commissioned by God. The Loop needs Jesus. And I pray I can be a shining light here…
I am painfully aware on my first day here that the task is a God task. It would be much easier to start some sort of an attractional event that would bring people to me. But that skips the most important step: relationships.
Relationships that form deep, lasting change. Working through the uncomfortableness of talking to strangers. Gaining their trust. Earning their respect. Answering their real-life questions + doubts. Making the Gospel attractive to them.
There is no hiding behind a pulpit here. And let’s be honest, we like to hide behind our pulpits, our blogs, our knowledge, our offices – rather than get out and put action behind our platitudes about missional living. Cred doesn’t come from talking about it. It comes from doing it. That’s why I’m here.
I have no illusions that incarnational ministry is gritty. I can feel the residue already on my soul. But this is where the rubber meets the road. Jesus was a friend of sinners. He went to people. He didn’t expect them to come to Him. Jesus embodied lived theology. It isn’t enough to just know these things. They must be lived…
So I’m praying for the Lord to move. To move me…
I’m praying for the gentleman sitting in front of me reading the Post-Dispatch.
I’m praying for the trio of business professionals sitting to the left of me planning a restaurant grand opening.
I’m praying for the young female student behind me who is engrossed in her studies.
I’m praying for the four young African-American ’skaters’ sitting to my left.
I’m praying for the homeless man sittting behind me who is eating bread and butter – probably his only meal today.
God, my heart is broken. I pray for opportunities to be Christ to the people at the Loop. Help me see where you are at work. Give me your eyes and your ears. Give me the courage to speak and the words to say. This is your work. May your will be done…
