Lecture Notes: Roland Smith on Forge America and Missional Movement

Introduction

• Roland Smith: National Director for Forge America.
• Terry Ishii: Executive Director.
• Daishan Mills: Pastor involved in Forge-a-Sphere.
• Forge America: Movement started by Alan Hirsch and Mike Frost in late 90s.
• Focus on equipping "missional practitioners."
• Practitioners are active in their own contexts.

Mission and Network

• Forge America: Network and community of missional practitioners.
• National team of about nine folks.
• Connect practitioners geographically for support and networking.
• Not a resource-selling company; relationally driven.

Resources and Events

• Free resources available on Teachable via QR code.
• Upcoming Forge Summit in Colorado Springs.
• Annual granted project for church cohort on missional posture shift.

Cultural and Missional Context

• Current cultural, economic, and political climates are a concern.
• Question: How can the church respond to these climates?
• Emphasis on theological reminders and original call of the church.

Theological Framework

• Great Commission and John 20:21 as central passages.
• Concept of "sentness" and mission derived from "missio" (Latin for "send").
• Importance of remembering church's identity as a sent entity.

Cultural Hurdles and Mission

• Alan Hirsch's cultural distance tool: Hurdles to the gospel (M1, M2, etc.).
• Challenges faced by missionaries abroad vs. local missional work.
• Local cultural hurdles often ignored; need for church members to be missionaries locally.

Paradigm Shifts

• Mohini Trap: Staying within comfort zones despite available opportunities.
  • Metaphor for church staying inside traditional bounds instead of expanding to true missional work.
• Rewilding: Re-engaging with the true expansive mission of the church.

Practicing Missional Living

• Importance of personal missional rhythms leading to corporate actions.
• Examples: Using personal gatherings (murder mysteries, spades nights) to foster community.

Good Samaritan as Model for Mission

• Jesus as the ultimate sent one; parable of the Good Samaritan.
• Emphasis on being a neighbor, as defined by actions, not self-perception.
• Proximity, participation, promotion of health, and provision as key missional actions.

Practical Steps and Examples

• Proximity: Forming authentic relationships without agenda.
• Promotion of Health: Addressing needs with the community, not for them.
• Provision: Meeting community needs in collaborative ways.

Discussion and Closing Thoughts

• Encourage group discussions on personal and group missional posture.
• Emphasis on individual practitioners leading by example in their communities.