Defining Missional Cutlure & Why It Matters

The Church is called to be a provisional demonstration of God’s will for all people. In the words of the Presbyterian Book of Order, the church's mission is to reflect God's Kingdom and purposes on earth. However, to fulfill this calling effectively, the church must intentionally cultivate a missional culture—a culture that aligns its activities and identity with the mission of God in the world.

But what exactly is a missional culture? Why does it matter, and how can we as the Church live out this calling in a world that constantly pulls us in different directions? Let’s dive deeper into this vital concept.

Understanding Missional Culture

A missional culture is one where the mission of God is not just something the church does, but who the church is. It's about embodying God’s mission in every aspect of church life—worship, community, service, and outreach. This means the church doesn't just carry out mission work occasionally, but lives as a community committed to being a light to the world in every action, every relationship, and every decision.



In his book Creating a Missional Culture, JR Woodward emphasizes that the church’s mission isn’t isolated to an event or a program—it’s integral to its identity. Woodward writes, "The church is not just a place where people come to get saved, but a community sent to make disciples of all nations." This shift in perspective is crucial because it reframes the church from a static institution to a dynamic, relational force for change in the world.

The Danger of Cultural Conformity

The Apostle Paul offers a powerful challenge in Romans 12:2 (ESV) when he urges, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” This passage highlights a critical point for the church: we cannot afford to blend in with the world around us. If we do, we risk losing the distinctiveness of the gospel and the radical nature of the mission that Jesus calls us to.

It's easy for churches to become comfortable with the cultural norms of the society they serve. In fact, many churches unintentionally adopt the values and priorities of the surrounding culture, inadvertently compromising the very mission they are called to live out. As Paul warns, this kind of cultural conformity leads to spiritual immaturity and complacency.

Instead, Paul encourages believers to fix their attention on God’s will and to be transformed by the renewal of their minds. The challenge is not just about avoiding the culture’s negative influences, but about actively pursuing God's will and letting it shape every aspect of our lives. A missional culture is one that refuses to settle for the world's standards of success and significance, choosing instead to embody the countercultural values of the Kingdom of God.

The Call to Change from the Inside Out

Why does the missional culture matter? It’s because the church is meant to be a provisional demonstration of what God intends for all people. As Paul suggests, God’s transformation doesn’t just improve us on the surface—it changes us from the inside out. A missional culture invites people to be spiritually formed in a way that makes them more like Christ, not just in their words but in their actions.

When the church embraces a missional culture, it begins to embody maturity, purpose, and intentionality in all areas. Instead of drifting with the currents of consumerism, individualism, or comfort, the church can become a people who embody the values of the Kingdom—serving the poor, caring for the marginalized, pursuing justice, and sharing the love of Christ in word and deed.

Woodward’s book urges churches to think carefully about the role they play in society and to be deeply intentional about aligning their culture with God's mission for the world. When churches align their lives around the principles of God’s Kingdom, they are not simply talking about the gospel—they are living the gospel in ways that invite transformation and renewal to their communities and the world at large.

Embracing Missional Culture: Practical Steps

So, how can the church create and nurture a missional culture? Here are a few practical steps:

1. Make Mission Central to Everything: From preaching to programs, mission should be at the heart of everything the church does. Everything should be viewed through the lens of God’s global mission, whether it’s serving the local community, planting churches, or engaging in global missions.
2. Shift the Focus from Inward to Outward: A missional church is not about gathering people in for the sake of church activities alone but is about reaching out to those who have not yet encountered the gospel. Outreach and evangelism become core activities of the church, not as a program but as a way of life.
3. Equip and Empower Believers: A missional culture doesn’t just rely on church leaders to do the work of the ministry. It actively equips and empowers every member of the church to live missionally in their workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities.
4. Live Counterculturally: A missional culture is distinctly different from the world around it. It’s characterized by self-sacrifice, generosity, and service. It doesn’t conform to the world’s standards of success but seeks to reflect God’s heart for justice, mercy, and love.
5. Pray for God’s Guidance: Creating a missional culture isn’t something a church can do on its own. It requires prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit to lead the way, opening doors for outreach, growth, and impact.

Conclusion: Why It Matters

At the core of the missional culture is a deep commitment to embodying God’s will for all people and reflecting His glory in the world. As Romans 12:2 reminds us, the church is not to be conformed to the patterns of this world but transformed by the renewal of our minds. When the church embraces this transformative work and lives out its missional calling, it becomes a powerful force for change and renewal in the world.

As we move forward, let’s be intentional about nurturing a missional culture in our communities, not just through programs, but through the way we live and love others. This is the calling of the Church, and it is why missional culture truly matters.