Missions Resources

How to Become a Missional Church

August 20, 2026
by Claire Shiver

women with hands together praying to represent a missional church

Being missional isn’t a new church strategy or trend; it’s a reflection of God’s very nature. Mission isn’t just something God does—it’s who He is. And as the body of Christ, mission is also who the church is. So how can you lead your church into a missional mindset?

What does “missional” mean?

The words “missionary” and “missional” get used a lot in Christian circles, but what do they really mean? Are they important, and if so, how do you become a missional church?

At its core, “missional” means to live in participation with God’s redemptive mission in the world.

Mission flows from the very being of God. The Father sends the Son, the Son sends the Spirit, and the Spirit sends the Church. Mission is not the Church’s invention—it’s the continuation of God’s sending love.

Therefore, being “missional” isn’t a new church strategy or trend; it’s a reflection of God’s very nature. Mission is not just something God does—it’s who He is.

And because the Church is the body of Christ, mission is not just something the Church does—it’s who the Church is. We are a sent people, participating with a sending God.

The Vision for Global Missions

Growing our passion for God’s Mission starts with growing our passion for Christ—the One who was sent and who now sends us. The Father’s heart is for the lost and the nations, and He desires that all might be saved (1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9).

Why is this vision so important? Growing as a disciple means growing in our passion for Jesus and becoming more like Him. Jesus is passionate about His Father’s commands, and is missional, therefore we should be as well (John 20:21).

Myths About Becoming a Missional Church

Myth #1: Mission is optional

Reality: Living life on mission isn’t just an option for the church, it’s a command that comes straight from Jesus Himself (Matthew 28:18-20). It is vital that the church focuses on mission, both in our own communities and around the world.

Myth #2: Once the church is more established, then we can start thinking about missions. We need to see our community transformed before we think globally.

Reality: Mission is not the final step of a healthy church—it’s the essence of a healthy church. Jesus’ ministry had no building, budget, and minimal (earthly) help. While we’re not Jesus, we should not place more importance on these secondary items than on fulfilling His commandments. A passion for one’s community and for the nations are an outflow of a passion for the lost and God’s commands.

Myth #3: Missions is only for a select few: missionaries, missions committees, missions pastors, etc.

Reality: God wants to use the whole Church to bring the whole Gospel to the whole world! Mission is not the job of a few specialists; it’s the calling of every disciple. All believers are called to emulate Jesus, the Sent one, and become more like Him. When we are following Jesus, mission is inevitable!

Integration Ideas for Church Leaders

God chose the church to be the primary vehicle to carry out His mission: He doesn’t need us but invites us to participate. As leaders in the church, we can missionally disciple its people through a variety of avenues. So how can church leadership best steward their congregations to become a missional church?

From the stage:

Mission-centric preaching and prayer from the pulpit. The pulpit is the most visible, and first place, for the congregation to know something is important to your church.
Preaching faithfully through Scripture and explaining the implications of the Gospel Sunday after Sunday: God is a missionary, God has a passion for all peoples, and the Gospel is for all people everywhere.
Introduce your people to missionaries and challenge them to get involved. Celebrate when leaders are multiplied in your church and sent out to the nations.

With the staff:

Encourage staff to find ways to integrate missions into the specific ministries they oversee.
Educate staff on how growing in a missional mindset is also growing in a Christ-like mindset.
Make sure your staff know and are invested in the missionaries your church sends out. Find ways to make missionaries feel like vital members of your staff that are simply working remotely.

In our small groups:

Make sure missionaries on furlough get plugged into a small group while in the U.S. and encourage ongoing relationships when they return to the field.
Pair small groups in your church with missionaries you send for ongoing connection, prayer, and meeting their practical needs.
Require small groups to participate annually (or more frequently!) in missions. Missions does not have to be overseas but could be engaging with ministries/service opportunities that serve refugees and immigrants in your community.

How TEAM can help

The local church is the primary vehicle God uses for world evangelization, and as your global ministry passion grows, so will the Kingdom. TEAM’s primary goal for the last 135+ years has been partnering with churches for missions. By offering church resources and experts in sending, we want to join you in becoming a missional church and sending out your people for missions.