What is “missional”?

To borrow from Christian writer, Bill Kinnon, missional is incarnational, positional, and relational.

However we understand The Divine Mystery, we know that we are its hands and feet. It is up to us to incarnate the values we want to see in the world.

We are to position ourselves out in the world, meeting people where they are – in their neighborhoods, workplaces, bars, etc.

We are to have relationship with others – not just “like-minded” people or people who might want to join our churches. Many of the people we minister to will never walk into a Unitarian Universalist church, will never sign the membership book. But we are called to extend kindness and love our neighbor.

I have a friend who is a missional minister who plays poker once a week. One day, one of the guys at his table introduced him to another as “This is my spiritual advisor.” My friend looked confused. “Bob, you’ve never once set foot in my church."  "Yeah,” said the guy. “But what do you think you’re doing when you’re here?”

We try to “go to church” wherever we are. Letting our lives speak. Looking for ways to help others. Using our individual, unique gifts to minister to others – whether we are called Reverend, Candidate, Board Member, or just Joe. We are all ministering.

And being wholly transformed ourselves, in the process.