The next time we read about the missional church in Antioch is in Acts 13:1-3. Luke, the writer of Acts gives us a list of some of the key players in the shaping of things there. What we see is a diverse mix of ethnicities, nationalities, backgrounds and gifts. It’s a gorgeous picture of God gathering people together in order to send them out for his purposes.
1 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called "the black man"), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work I have for them." 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
Please add anything you think I’ve missed, but from this section we see that a missional community can be made up of a team of leaders with the following characteristics:
- prophecy
- teaching
- diverse ethnicities
- diverse nationalities
- diverse giftings used in the church
- team approach
- time spent together in prayer, worship and fasting
- listening to the Holy Spirit
- more time spent together in prayer and fasting
- willingness to respond to the Holy Spirit’s direction
- willingness to change plans
- commission God’s people for God’s plans
- send people out from the community to pursue God’s mission