This past weekend our church leadership held an annual Elder / Staff retreat where we spend most of the weekend in meetings at the church. During the weekend the organizers offered opportunities for attendees (I am an Elder) to express what God has been doing in their lives, or perhaps some insights into the direction the church may take in the near future. Content to keep to myself I initially planed to not make any comments. However, I woke on the last morning of the retreat with some graphics and bullet points rattling around my head and a burning convition to share what was on my heart. I put together a couple of handouts. Below is a part of what I came up with. I welcome and comments or critiques of the points. Admittingly I through this together in just over a couple of hours.

	Church Today	An Alternate Perspective
Who determines God’s Mission	· The Church leadership determines (or deciphers) the Missio Dei – Mission of God.	· Missio Dei is deciphered and carried out in the lives of all people who serve Christ.
	· If somebody wants to participate in Missio Dei, they go through the church. Likewise, if God wishes to work in the world he works through the church.	· The Missio Dei is where God is already at work in the world around us, not just through church ministry.
The Church and the Sacred / Secular Divide	· Things that occur within the church are sacred. · Things that occur in the world are secular. · The church is the house of God. It represents safety and shelter from the world.	· The church (buildings) are no longer considered sacred because we consider all things sacred. · Church Buildings are given over for use as a part of the community for events sacred or non-sacred. · All homes are potentially God’s house.
Who’s’ the master of this domain?	· The world is Satan’s Domain.	· God is at work throughout the entire world.
Who is the Shepherd	· Pastor = Shepherd	· Christ = Shepherd Pastor = Shepherd Dog
The Lost vs. the Saved	· The “lost”, and to some extent the “Saved”, are PULLED into the Missio Dei.	· The “Saved” are PUSHED into the world to participate in the Missio Dei.
Worship	· We worship when we are at church during worship times.	· We are engaged in worship at all times everywhere we go. · The phrase “We are made for Worship” takes on an entirely new meaning!