Missional spirituality at home: Families and the life of the kingdom

Missiological texts typically focus on the church or individuals as the agents of mission (within themissio Dei) and it is rare to find any reference to families or the home. Such an omission, however, overlooks the extent to which families can witness to the transforming grace of God in the midst of the world. In this article, I explore the importance of families for mission, and argue that the New Testament shows that the family is subordinated to the church but also transformed by the kingdom. In the light of the New Testament witness, I explore three scriptural themes of a family spirituality for mission; holiness, hospitality, and service. Given the significance of life within the home, the disciplines of missiology and Christian spirituality need to engage more deeply with the family as a context for Christian formation and outreach.