There's a good chance you've heard of the Missional Living Map, the primary framework for 12 Church. This framework guides us from being passive, consumeristic spectators to becoming all-in, on-mission disciple makers. There’s a lot of content unpacking and explaining this, including a major course inside the 12 Church portal.

What I haven’t shared before is something called the Missional Living Mountain. This tool offers a fresh perspective on our spiritual growth. Though the chart might look complicated, it’s simpler than it seems. Let me explain it for you—it's a self-analysis and self-evaluation tool.

On the left side, we have symptoms. On the right side, we have keys to success, and in between are different layers. These layers represent stages of spiritual growth, with symptoms of stagnation on one side and ways to advance on the other. As you move up the mountain, you increasingly embrace the mission. The Missional Living Map helps you climb this mountain by providing a framework to assess and progress in your spiritual journey.

If you find yourself spiritually stagnant and unengaged, you might feel like a bench-riding Christian. This passivity, often marked by cultural Christianity, might even make you question your salvation. To break out of this level, you must repent and take responsibility for your spiritual state. You can't blame anyone else—not the preacher, the music, or anything else. Recognize your responsibility, repent, and follow Jesus in obedience, step by step.

As you advance, you might notice a gap between where you are and what Jesus is calling you to. This can be frustrating and guilt-inducing, but it’s part of the Spirit’s work to move you forward. The key to overcoming this is persistence. Continue to follow Jesus, step by step, resisting the temptation to quit. Understand that the Christian calling is more significant than you might have embraced so far. Jesus wants more than a symbolic commitment; He wants your complete offering.

If you persist, you’ll understand that Jesus calls us to join Him on His mission of seeking and saving the lost and making disciples. To progress, you must embrace this mission fully, recognizing that your life’s purpose is to join Jesus in His work. This realization activates and engages you in mission. You start shaping every facet of your life around the principle of following Jesus.

To stay on mission and continue progressing, you need to unite with others who prioritize disciple making. This framework can help you assess where you, your group, or your church stand. Evaluate yourselves honestly and move forward.

​If you want to learn more about the Missional Living Map, visit MissionalMap.com or find resources linked to 12Church.net. If you have any questions, leave a comment or send an email. At 12 Church, we’re all about joining Jesus on mission, learning to live as disciples, and making disciples in our time and place.