tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post8236811590238168072..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: What does the mission statement really say?Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-39840988746686913652011-10-01T21:47:12.580-05:002011-10-01T21:47:12.580-05:00I serve on boards of community organizations and o...I serve on boards of community organizations and our parish school. I cringe at the thought of mission statements. The main thing that comes to mind when I think of mission statement is...<br /><br />triteAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-4065869006175494322011-10-01T19:42:22.548-05:002011-10-01T19:42:22.548-05:00You're exactly right, PP. "Missional&quo...You're exactly right, PP. "Missional" is simply a code word, and like most code words, obscures the nature of that for which it is code, even to many of those who espouse it.Terry Maherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122266461403246084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-13251627952050395262011-10-01T10:42:24.342-05:002011-10-01T10:42:24.342-05:00I certainly did not mean to extoll the exploits of...I certainly did not mean to extoll the exploits of our parish or to imply that others are not equally involved in the work of the kingdom or moreso. The point was to illustrate the way the word missional has taken an agenda in which the ordinary things that might describe any parish's active life and work in service the Lord might not qualify as "missional." I apologize to those who thought I was boasting but I thought I made it clear that what the focus of the attention was -- what does missional mean if it does not apply to an ordinary Lutheran parish doing ordinary Lutheran things in the work of God's kingdom?Pastor Petershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-22111670476441194832011-10-01T10:10:33.876-05:002011-10-01T10:10:33.876-05:00I have never understood mission statments either. ...I have never understood mission statments either. They are but one aspect of secular managment tools being inflicted upon the church. At this point, some 20-30 years since their introduction mission statments are ubiquitous, and for the most part meaningless. Most Americans can see right through prefabricated slogans and buzzwords like 'missional' for what they are, crass and pretentious attempts to make the church look at least on the surface, organized, professional and culturally relevant.Rev. Allen Bergstrazernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-8828351762558683812011-10-01T09:40:52.751-05:002011-10-01T09:40:52.751-05:00"There are probably several hundred parishes ..."There are probably several hundred parishes with similar achievements..." <br />Really? How many or what percent would that be (roughly)of six thousand plus LSMC congregations? Pr. Peters as I read him was simply trying to illustrate how "Witness, Mercy and Life Together" are lived out in and through his parish. One plants, another waters, but God gives the growth.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09350908137437557142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-23217651927965803922011-10-01T09:17:43.525-05:002011-10-01T09:17:43.525-05:00"the term "Missional" was not used ..."the term "Missional" was not used in<br />reference to me or my parish"<br /><br />The word "humble" will not be used<br />in reference to the exploits listed<br />of you and your congregation.<br /><br />There are probably several hundred<br />parishes with similar achievements<br />on the mission front in the LCMS.<br />But they do not have to list them<br />in public.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-72543260420971448932011-10-01T08:53:15.995-05:002011-10-01T08:53:15.995-05:00OK, who changed the definition of missonal on me? ...OK, who changed the definition of missonal on me? Your church fits it in my (apparently outdated) definition. If that's what meant by missonal these days, let them have it and the 80's disco ball while they're at it. In another 20 years the new missonal can join it. sheesh.Sagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09337019503451500138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-37599494533000005982011-10-01T07:18:09.376-05:002011-10-01T07:18:09.376-05:00This way may be a goofy way to look at the situati...This way may be a goofy way to look at the situation, but the whole "missional" movement seems like a way to bypass the doctrine of vocation and employ a new doctrine that will rob the church of her vocation. <br /><br />It looks like the District has abandoned it's vocation to serve the churches in their vocation of Word & Sacrament. The District looks like it is no longer the servant of the church, but desires to be her ruler. And District's goals appear to have nothing to do with the church's vocation of Word & Sacrament. <br /><br />If this is the situation, it would be best for the District to admit what it is, separate itself from the Lutheran churches, find it's place in the private sector as a secular company, and leave the Lutheran churches alone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com