Missionary Churches in a Non-Christian World

Which Context? Which Map? Pre- Church Churched Post- Church

The Post-Church Map The community around the church is increasingly unchurched, more and more reflecting the “pre-churched” context of ministry. At the same time, the church continues to operate with the assumptions of a “churched” society or context.

The Post-Churched Map Who’s in Charge? The unchurched are Cultural “Insiders” The churched still think they are “Insiders”

The Post-Churched Map Who’s in Charge? The unchurched are Cultural “Insiders” Can we choose to become outsiders once again?

Peter and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion... according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood. 1 Peter 1:1-2 The Post-Churched Map

Recalculate for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Matthew 4 Recalculating

The Post-Churched Map Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24)

Orienting To Whom are you a Who? Where and when do you connect? What’s the starting place? Answered by Unchurched

The Post-Church Map First step in mission work is to become permeable Live and serve in the Language and Culture of the “insiders” Share life experiences Get to know and be known Enter their world

Orienting First Article Bridges What are the starting places? Ask the Gate Keepers Bridges go two ways

The Pre-Church Map Three steps in permeation Learner Trader Story Teller

The Post-Church Map Note: The pastor might never become a cultural insider Get Gospel communication into the hands of cultural insiders ASAP Pastors focus on multiplying cultural insiders who speak the Gospel

The Post-Church Map Focus on the unchurched High engagement with the unchurched Maintain a porous boundary with unchurched Maintain a porous boundary with unchurched Operate with Several Word gifts (Eph. 4) Unchurched → evangelist Unchurched → evangelist Churched → pastor/teacher Both → apostle, prophet Utilize the Priesthood

The Post-Church Map Utilize the Priesthood Priests connect other people with God and God with other people Priests: Pray & Proclaim

Discussion What contextual conditions are assumed in your congregation’s future planning? –Pre-Churched –Churched –Post-Churched

Discussion How would your congregation look at itself if it were a New Testament congregation, that is, a small church located in a non- Christian community possibly hostile to the Gospel?

Discussion What pastoral roles are assumed by the members of our congregations? What lay roles are assumed?

Theological Education In A Post-Church Era Acculturation--Building cultural insiders Structure Life Contexts & Experience Formal Informal Non-formal

This presentation is shared by permission of Dr. Robert Newton, President of the CNH District of the LCMS. If you have any questions or comments concerning this presentation, please direct them to Dr. Newton at or call