We may have great expectations for the world and indeed we should, but we fail at times to have similar expectations for our community; the community we have been called to serve. Churches are called to specific areas, and so we need to remember that we are missional whether we give a portion of our giving to foreign missions or not (of course, we desire that missional endeavors worldwide will succeed through our financial and prayerful support) We are missional by the very fact that we are the church.
Localized theology forces us to be more tangible about our labor. One way this plays out is by taking small steps in community service. A church cannot begin by investing too much, otherwise it loses its interest. Incremental giving and participation is ideal. Pastors need to bring their congregations along. Parishioners need to see that this is a long term goal. Missions is not accomplished overnight, it is lived out day to day.
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