Rooted for Family and Mission

What happens when an "arch-missional" church planter discovers that mission without the joy of family leads to burnout? In this episode of Always Forward, host Molly Ruch sits down with Canon Mark Ball (Canon for Church Planting for the Diocese of All Nations and Rector of Missio Dei Anglican Church in Houston, Texas) to discuss the long-term journey of church planting, discipleship, and parish identity. Mark shares the story of planting Missio Dei in 2011, moving from Sunday evening "mercenary" gatherings to embracing the sweet family life of the church through morning worship, catechism, shared meals, and fresh cinnamon rolls. He unpacks the essential balance between family and mission, explaining why personal apostolic gifts shouldn't be forced on a congregation, how God uses "ironic discipleship" to grow leaders, and what it looks like to re-engage mission in places like local assisted living facilities. Finally, Mark offers a look inside the Diocese of All Nations, exploring how first-generation leaders, bi-vocational planters, and established parishes navigate mission together.

In this episode: • The vital balance between the family life and the missional calling of the church. • Moving from evening "mercenary" gatherings to morning family worship and catechism. • Differentiating a planter’s personal gifts from the whole congregation’s mission. • Discerning new missional open doors in local assisted living facilities. • And more!