Go Softly: Model for the Missio Dei

Go Softly: Model for the Missio Dei

The Go Softly model has been developed to transition homelessness and other community services delivered by churches from being transactional to relational models. The model aligns with several theological principles along with Biblical underpinning that emphasise presence, relationships, and community as central to the church’s mission of declaring the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

Let's explore the Go Softly model:

1. Be With (Incarnational Theology)

Incarnational theology, rooted in the life of Jesus, emphasises being present with people. Jesus' ministry was about entering into the lives of the marginalised, the broken, and the oppressed, giving them freedom and ultimate salvation. John 1:14 says, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." Jesus didn’t just visit or observe; He dwelt with people, meeting them where they were. At times it was a transactional relationship, there is nothing inherently wrong with that, however the transaction was often paired with relationship. This is the heart of the "be with" principle in this model.

God’s incarnational model (Jesus) calls for us to dwell among communities, not rushing to fix problems from a distance, not always having the answers or solutions, but being present and invested in the life of others. It is difficult to be present and invested if you’re too busy doing. 

2. Build Relationships (Covenantal Relationships)

Building relationships reflects the covenantal nature of God’s relationships with humanity. God forms deep, enduring relationships with His people, from Abraham to the new covenant in Jesus (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Relationships in a covenantal sense are not transactional but based on love, trust, and commitment. Paul, for example, consistently modelled deep relational ministry with the churches he planted, describing himself as a "father" (1 Corinthians 4:15) and speaking of his love and longing for them (Philippians 1:8). Relationship with God is essential, as we also seek to develop relationships with others.

Acts 2:42-47 describes the early church's devotion to fellowship, breaking bread together, and sharing life. Building these types of relationships was central to their witness.

The church is called to form deep, committed, loving relationships that reflect God's covenant love. This takes time and intentionality, which is core to the Go Softly model. This could also be referred to as discipleship. Don’t rush the process, it is worth the time, effort, and resource! 

3. Live Life Together (Shared Life)

Living life together is a picture of true community, or koinonia, where believers share not only in worship but in every aspect of life. This echoes the early church’s practice of communal living, described in Acts 4:32-35, where the believers were of “one heart and mind,” sharing possessions, food, and their very lives. Jesus’ example with His disciples is another powerful model: He didn’t just teach them; He lived life with them daily.

Romans 12:15 encourages believers to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Living life together means sharing in both the highs and lows of existence.

The church is not just a place to attend, but a people who share their lives, in a tangible expression of the body of Jesus Christ. In doing so, the kingdom of God is revealed through the everyday. This beautiful partnership is seen in the Trinitarian nature of God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Additional Theological Insights

Missio Dei (God’s Mission)

In the context of mission, the Missio Dei (the mission of God) emphasises that it is God who initiates and drives mission. Our role is to participate with Him. A “go softly” approach reflects the truth that mission is not about us pushing forward with our own agendas, but rather about joining what God is already doing in communities. This approach is about discernment, humility, and following the Spirit’s leading.

Matthew 28:19-20 (the Great Commission) invites us to “go and make disciples,” but in the promise that “I am with you always.” It’s God’s mission, and we are never alone in it. A whole thesis could be written about the Missio Dei, therefore these brief paragraphs only highlight the concept of it. 

Slow Kingdom Coming

The concept of the "slow work of God" speaks to the long, often unnoticed, but transformative nature of God’s work. The Kingdom of God grows like a mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32), slow and small at first, but ultimately impactful. The Go Slow  model embraces the slow, patient work of cultivating relationships and community, trusting that God works powerfully through this.

The slow, transformative work of God invites us to resist quick fixes or aggressive action, recognising that transformation is often gradual and relational.

Conclusion

The Go Softly model isn’t anything new or revolutionary. It reflects the Triune nature of God and Jesus’ ministry of presence, relationships, and community. It stands in line with incarnational theology, covenantal relationships, the communal life of the early church, and the slow, patient growth of the Kingdom of God. It's a model that resists aggressive approaches and instead embraces the power of being with, knowing, and living with others—trusting that transformation happens as we walk together in faith.

As we Go Softly we create a place of grace & embrace.