The Concept of the “Glocal Church”
After reading Ed Stetzer’s and David Putnam’s Breaking the Missional Code, I realized that for a congregation to truly be an Acts 1:8, on-mission church, it had to build and maintain a healthy and balanced approach in all areas of the ”Mission Field.” That includes local, regional, national, and international missions. Furthermore, for a church to become relevant to those living in their community, and in what many are calling a ”Post – Christian” culture, they must intentionally invest in relevant relationships with their Friends, Relatives, Work Associates, and Neighbors. The cause of Christ will be advanced at the intersection of relevant relationships between Christ-followers, and those in their sphere of influence.
Any Thoughts?
diGGdoug said,
October 25, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Good opening thesis. I’ll be interested to see the details fleshed out in subsequent posts. Post-Christian to me implies a hostile attitude to traditional Christianity. I’ve always used post-modern, referring to society in general. But if one considers the relationship of Christianity to current (American) society, then I would have to say that at least the majority of society if post-Christian – even among those members that are nominally Christian.
richsmith said,
October 25, 2006 at 2:15 pm
Good thought Doug.
My interpretation of a “Post-Christian” society is a society that is largely apathetic to Christiantiy.
Jerry said,
October 26, 2006 at 6:37 am
Check out bob’s work at http://www.glocal.net
richsmith said,
October 26, 2006 at 8:42 am
Good shared information. I look forward to reading “Glocalization” and how Christ-followers engage the un-churched in a flat world. It will be an especially good read after having read “The World is Flat.”
Globalization is a reality that the church must embrace in order to remain relevant and continue to engage the un-churched in our culture.
Bryan said,
October 26, 2006 at 9:36 am
I agree that we have to invest in relationships, meaning outside the church, to the lost. Too many of us invest in only the ‘fish’ that are already in the ‘boat’. Let’s pray that God will bless our outreach efforts.
richsmith said,
October 26, 2006 at 10:51 am
You’re absouletly right Bryan, we have to look beyond ourselves, at the mission field right across the street, and around the world. We must constantly remind ourselves that it’s not about us!
Brother Bob said,
October 31, 2006 at 11:23 am
Rich, I like the term, “Glocal.” I checked Bob Roberts site and noticed the book with that term.
Our church in Georgia is using the Acts 1:8 model for our mission offering and our approach to mission trips. We emphasize mission giving all year long, specifically asking for it on the fourth Sunday of every month, and we divide it like this: 5% to Savannah Baptist association, 5% to Georgia Baptist state missions, 30% to North American missions (Annie Armstrong offering), and 60% to international missions (Lottie Moon offering). We’ve seen total mission giving go up in the last two years as we have transitioned to this approach.
Also, we have stressed that we need to make mission trips in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and ends of the earth. We have already made church-sponsored trips in the first three areas, and next year we are planning three international trips. I have found that Jerusalem and Judea (hometown and home state) are the ones that often get neglected in making mission trips.
richsmith said,
October 31, 2006 at 2:10 pm
Yes Bro. Bob,
It’s seems to me that if you have the financial means, it’s much easier to travel across the country, or the world and share your faith with someone you’ve never met before, in sharp contrast to walking across the street, or even down the hall in your own home. For me that’s we’re the “Great Commission” requires “Great Courage.” However all four geographical regions of Acts 1:8 are equally important to the command of making disciples.