A Letter from Pastor Mark - February



Dear Friends,
This is the last month to investigate how the church can become a missional movement.  For the seventh time let’s look at the definition of a missional movement.  A missional movement is when the people of the church are so excited about Jesus that they live his ways and his  message goes viral, passed on from person to person.
A missional movement must have missional DNA or mDNA.  The six elements of mDNA are the following:
· Jesus is Lord
· Disciple-making
· Missional-incarnational impulse
· Apostolic Environment
· Organic Systems
· Communitas


The final element of mDNA is Communitas.  This doesn’t mean that we have a nice friendly community in the church.  It means that we develop strong bonds of connection that are rooted in our common discipleship in Jesus Christ.  As we pray for one another for the strength to live the Spirit of Jesus in the world so that others will come to know him, we will develop communitas.  As we work together to find the most effective ways to live the ways of Jesus in the world, we will develop communitas.  As we risk our personal well-being and risk the reputation and resources of the church to reach more people for Christ, we will develop communitas.

Communitas doesn’t come just from sharing a donut and coffee with someone on Sunday morning.  Communitas comes from living life together as we fulfill Christ’s mission to make disciples and then become the visible expression of Christ in the world. Communitas will lead us to weep as one when one of our number hurts.  Communitas will lead us to hurt as one when one of our number is ill.  Communitas will enable us to stand as one as we go into a   hostile world to proclaim a gospel that is foreign to most people.
Communitas is what sustains us as a missional movement.
I hope this several-month journey of investigating the elements of what we need to be a  missional movement has helped you to understand what kind of church Jesus is calling us to be.

In Christ’s Abundant Love,
Pastor Mark




Popular posts from this blog

A Letter from Pastor Chris

Dear Friends,            I am excited about the many things that are happening at Southport UMC this month.   There are many things going on at Southport UMC as we continue in ministry to the Southside of Indianapolis, but I would like to highlight a few opportunities, as well as share some information about changes that are coming this month. First of all, because of storm damage we are getting a new roof. This work will begin after September 8 and will take around a week to complete (weather permitting). Secondly, we will begin signups for Journey Groups this month, and I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to grow in your faith through a small group. Finally, at the end of this month we have a great opportunity to share with our neighbors through the Community Fall Festival.   Over the last couple of months we have been learning in worship that we need to share our faith story, and we can only do this through building relationships. Community Fall Festival is an
Read more

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

You may or may not know that in the past, Southport United Methodist Church has been able to offer a small scholarship to assist with college expenses.   The scholarship was made possible by some past members of SUMC:   Mary & Riley Lynch. We haven’t been able to offer the scholarship for a few years but are able to do so again. If you are interested or want more information, please contact Pastor Doug in the church office. Application deadline is July 15th, 2019.   A decision will be made at that time so there can be no applications accepted after that date.
Read more

SOUTHPORT UNITED METHODIST YOUTH GROUP

SCHEDULE ·   7/7/19-4 th of July Weekend-NO Meeting ·   7/14/19-‘Ice Cream Matters’-Picnic style supper, Ice Cream Treats at Dairy Queen-Bring Money for treats-Permission Slips REQUIRED, Frisbee Relay, Devotional ·   7/20/19-SERVICE PROJECT-Mayor’s Veteran Appreciation Picnic, Meet at SUMC at 9AM, Sign Up by 7/14/19-LIME GREEN T-SHIRT DAY, wear if you have-please, open to entire church and RHUMC Youth Group invited ·   7/21/19-‘WATER BLAST’-Grilled Skewers and Pie, Devotional and Water Birthday Party games ·   7/28/19- ‘LARNIN MATTERS’-Corn dogs and tater tots, Devotional and Relay Races ·   8/2/19-EVENT-Lock-In at SUMC, FAITH, FELLOWSHIP AND FUN—START TIME, TO BE DETERMINED-YOUTH WILL SERVE AT HOMECROFT EVENT, WILL MEET AT CHURCH FIRST,   Family Breakfast in the Underground at 9am on 8/3/19, Sign Up Due by 7/21/19, RHUMC Youth Group invited ·   8/4/19-Parent Meeting at 11AM in the Underground ·   8/4/19-‘Faith and Friends’-Casserole Night, Devotional and Board Game
Read more