Living missional doesn't necessarily mean serving on a church Staff, quitting your job, or moving to a foreign land. God calls most of us to be missional right where we live.

If you want to live missional, build your relationship with God through reading His written word, prayer, worship, confession, and being a part of a healthy church community. Being spiritually healthy is the very best thing you can do for the world around you.

The first person in the Bible said to be filled with the Spirit was not a priest, scribe, or prophet but a "skilled craftsman," Bezalel, son of Uri. (Exodus 31:2).

I have a mechanic who will NEVER cheat me. He never suggests repairs that doesn't actually need repaired. He never overcharges for his work. He's honest. When I need prayer, I call my mechanic before I call my pastor. 

It doesn't matter if you're a Mechanic, a home inspector, a Nurse, a Lawyer, a Chef, etc. When you treat people well it pleases God, and it makes their lives a lot better. 

Colossians 3:23-24 NIV says Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  

Use your backyard for the kingdom of God. People are starving for healthy relationships. Relationships are better formed in casual settings than formal ones. Neighbors who may never come to church will be more likely to come to your backyard fire pit. I have a friend who opened up his backyard during the pandemic, for students to socialize distance and stay connected. Four years later, he still has 30-50 students using his backyard  for a weekly bible study.

I was a pastor in Colorado Springs, where the minor league baseball "Sky-Socks" played. Tuesdays were $2.00. I would encourage our church to buy a few extra tickets and invite some friends. Baseball is chill enough that conversation and laughter naturally flow during the game. So it's a great way to get to know people better. Make sure you invite people simply to get to know them; no other agenda!

We often gain skills in hopes of getting a better job or promotion. What if you gained a skill that helped meet felt needs and connect better in your community? Imagine how learning Spanish or sign language could expand your reach. Learning to repair bicycles would give you a great way to serve young people, or learning how to jumpstart a dead battery or use a chainsaw could serve a family in a time of crises.

We need more Godly men and women making decisions that not only impact our children but will, in time, have a profound impact on our nation.

Do you enjoy singing? Consider joining the local community theater or choir in addition to or instead of singing on your church's praise team. If the fruit of the Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control) is present, your involvement will be impactful. If you enjoy a skill or hobby (no matter what the hobby), look in your city to see if there are any opportunities to be a part of the community. Do this with other like-minded Christian friends (Jesus sent his disciples out in groups of two or more) to increase prayer, accountability, and effectiveness in serving together.

Prayer is one of the most significant ministries we can offer. There are a few people who, when they say they are praying for me, I instantly feel more peace and confidence. My next door neigbor, Mr. Marty is one of those people. If you want to be missional, become a person who spends considerable time and passion praying for those who have trusted you with their prayer request. 

One way you can do this is to pray in your neighborhood. Walk and prayer regularly in your neighborood. If God gives you the opportunity, ask your neighbor if you can pray for them as you walk. You would be surprised how many people will say yes. When you pass their home, pray for the needs they have shared." 

Books provide the ultimate life hack; they give us access to mentors and wisdom we couldn't otherwise have. Do you have a good book on parenting, marriage, money, and growing in your faith? Buy a few copies and pass it on to those who need it. Better yet, invite some friends around your campfire or to the coffee shop to discuss the book one chapter at a time.

Volunteer with your friends at a local shelter, school, or kitchen. There are several nonprofits out there that are doing great work but need help. The more consistent you are, the more you get to know people, the more significant the impact.

One of the most significant influences in my life was my bus driver (bus #7). For my wife, it was the janitor at her high school. My mother spent part of her working years teaching students who dropped out of high school and were returning to get a G.E.D. Coaching is one of the most influential jobs in America because it shapes the lives of future leaders. If you are looking for a mission opportunity and have the vision for it, anything you do to be in the lives of young people can have a significant impact. Even jobs that don't allow you to share the gospel can make a substantial impact when your life and love speak for themselves.themselves.

If you drive to work every day, consider carpooling. If you take your kids to school, offer to share that load with another family. This allows you to build relationships and be a light that may make a more significant impact than you realize.

In our early years of marriage, my wife drove Mrs. Helm (a sweet lady in her late 80s) to the grocery store to get her groceries, the flower shop to get fresh flowers, and the assisted living home where her husband lived. What started as a side job quickly became a significant part of our lives. When my daughter was born, my wife would put her in the car seat and still drive Mrs. Helm around. Mrs. Helm became a part of our family. 

You don't have to start a ministry or volunteer in a retirement home (although that could be an excellent place to serve). Find one elderly person or couple and make sure they are doing ok.  Call (don't text) and check on them. When you shop, ask them if you can pick up something for them so they don't have to get out.  Occasionally invite them over for lunch..  

1 Peter 3:15 says, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, "

In everything you do, be prayerful and be purposeful. You don't have to (and shouldn't) force anything spiritual, but you should be prepared to give an answer for the hope you have. Study your Bible. Anticipate people asking you questions about your faith. When those questions arise, it is likely because people see something different in you. You don't have to be a bible scholar. Just be able to answer where you get your hope. If people ask you questions about your beliefs that you don't have the answer to, it's ok to say, "I don't know the answer; let me get back to you." Also, ask the Spirit to help you understand when people are looking for hope and when people are looking for an argument.