Strategies of the Missional Transformation of an Attractional Church

The purpose of this dissertation is to answer the question, “How does an attractional church become missional?” In it the missional church is presented as an alternative to the attractional-based model that is prevalent in contemporary American churches. I recount the story of how I led my church’s missional transformation and provide strategic steps for the transformational leader who is seeking to lead missional transformation in their church. The steps that are identified and discussed include:

1. present to the congregation the biblical and historical precedence in support of the missional model
2. eliminate the currently accepted “culture of experts” that creates a false dichotomy between discipleship and mission
3. recognize evangelism as an ongoing process rather than an event that yields immediate results
4. redefine success to reflect missional values
5. model incarnational ministry to leadership and congregation
6. view community problems as opportunities for points of contact to build collaborative partnerships with those outside the church
7. work to change negative perceptions about those outside of the church by changing the terminology used by those in the church to describe their spiritual condition
8. distinguish between mercy and justice and practice both in the community
9. emphasize Jesus’ teaching about the mission and message of the Kingdom
10. teach a biblical worldview of sacred and secular
Each of these strategies is supported through literature, my church’s application of the strategies to facilitate its missional transformation, and research that demonstrates the resulting spiritual growth of the congregation and increase in church vitality. I conclude
with considerations and recommendations for pastors and church leaders who are contemplating or engaged in missional transformation.