A guy I know has been creating some really cool relationships with some of the staff there over the last year. The fruit of his ministry is amazing considering the hostility that most hold towards Christianity on the hill. But in reality, being missional isn’t that hard, and my friend’s strategy isn’t that complicated, it’s a strategy Jesus modeled for us: spend time with people, love them.

Christ’s Example

We see this throughout the gospels as Christ spends time with people, eats with them, heals them and teaches them. Jesus attended weddings, hung out in homes, played with kids and spoke to the outcasts of his culture. He loved them genuinely without pretense and without fear. He identified himself with sinners so ultimately that he died the death that all sinners deserve; he died a sinner’s death in our place so we could be reconciled to God.
Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 18-21 that this has huge implications in how we live as Christians.

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised… All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

So we are ambassadors for Jesus. We, the Church, have been commissioned as message bearers for God’s glory. Darrell Guder, author of ‘Missional Church’ says it this way:

“Mission is the result of Gods initiative rooted in God’s purposes to heal and restore creation and call it into a reconciled covenant relationship with God. Mission means sending and it is the central biblical theme describing Gods action in human history with the church being the primary agent of Gods missionary action.“ 

Mission is a result of the Gospel; we worship a SENT God. Its not something on a to-do list, it’s an identity that we find in Christ.

Our Response

So how does this practically work out in our lives?

• By intentionally living life. For my wife and I, this has meant asking God where He wants us to live in Seattle. He has led us to Capitol Hill. 
• It also means that I initiate relationship with those around me because Jesus initiated relationship with me. We took out some neighbors for drinks last week and are now planning to have dinner with them. 
• We also have decided to be regulars at a couple local establishments. I know my barista and am on a first name basis with two bartenders at my local pub.  I desire to know these people because I desire to love and serve them. I desire to see them reconciled to God.

This is what Mars Hill is doing on Capitol Hill: Living life intentionally. We are loving our neighbors, eating with them, serving the city with them. We have a vision to serve and love Capitol Hill to see the hill transformed to love and serve Jesus.

Are You In?

• So, does mission sound like something to put on your to-do list, or something that you can’t help but do because you want others to know the joy that is found in Jesus? 
• Are you living where you live because it’s easy and comfortable? 
• Do you fret about running into neighbors in your elevator? Or are you initiating with your neighbors and simply living life with them so they can see evidences of grace in your life?

I would love to talk with you more about the gospel of Jesus and the implications thereof, you can find me every Monday at Grey Gallery and Lounge on 11th between Pike and Pine on Capitol Hill: 5:30pm.

- Joel Fariss