I had been hearing a lot about Moltmann but initially started reading him when seeing his “Theology of Hope”in a Reading List on the original website of EmergentVillage. Since that I really have been digging him and I absolutely share your feelings – it seems almost unbelieveable what thoughts he articulated even decades ago.

In short, my stance on missional is the outworking of the perichoresis in human community as the Imago Dei in the way of Jesus – made possible by the atonement and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and inspired by the picture of Revelation 21 22.

But your post was initially interesting to me as a challenge to see what I do know, not much, and because I am very curious about how German speakers are thinking about being missional.

Moltmann has been an absolute crucial influence for me the last few years and I’m beginning to do my PhD this Fall on his thought as it connects to the missional and emerging churches. I’ve read most of his books now and he has been so far ahead on all this thinking that I’m continually amazed.

Now that I’ve gotten a better understanding of what you said it sticks out for me in a different and better way. I absolutely love your tying the idea of missional to a strong emphasis on God. I think that is a big mistake we make here in the States. For us the tasks are often the primary goal. We want to know the technique or pattern that can get things done. We do not emphasize knowledge of God or make sure he is primary. Yes, the emphasis is there in words, but not in action.

Continually recognizing and reminding ourselves that it is God’s mission first and we always participate in God’s mission and thus must always first focus on God, even if this seems not immediately practical, is the absolute key for being truly effective missional people. Being missional means having a love for real and true theology, truly knowing God and responding to his work in, as you say, different ways in different contexts.

Thanks for this emphasis that is so needed in this conversation. As I learn more German I hope to get better and better at following and responding to your writings.