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Exploring Missional Living with Forge America

Mar 21, 2025

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.