Image, vocation, and mission

As I reflect on the inter-relationship of the image of God, vocation and the mission of the church, I see something significantly more encompassing and holistic than what the majority of churches and Christians typically embrace and embody.
While most church members would agree that being a Christian means "being a good person," most would limit that definition to primarily mean living a moral life as modern society defines morality. And whether they admit it or not, most of them would likely tie that morality to a "works" mentality of salvation where they earn their stripes so their soul will make it to heaven.
If we are going to help shape a vision where missional practices will become the lifeblood of Jesus-followers, we will need to significantly alter the way most people understand what it means to be "images of God," and in the process, reconsider how we embody mission.
If we help people re-imagine Creation and our role as co-partners with God in the care of Creation, they will likely begin to have a different understanding of mission. Rather than mission being a task to go out and invite other people to save their souls from eternal banishment, mission becomes a lifelong pursuit of engaging in re-creation. When we can envision this new way of looking at ourselves as imagebearers and co-partners, we will gain a more holistic view of our role in the world.
Many Christians today see a secular/spiritual dichotomy that is neither biblical nor Kingdom-oriented. Therefore, people can often fall into one of two (or both) traps: They can either "look the other way" when aspects of their work stand counter to Kingdom ethics or they can discount their work as a source of income and not as an opportunity to partner with God in bringing forth the inbreaking of the Kingdom.
When we can help people change their vantage point and consider Christian vocation and calling as an all-encompasing endeavor that includes roles in family, society, and workplace, we can begin to reorient people to a healthier understanding of our bearing the image of God, our vocation, and the mission of the church.

shine!
Jason