Unlocking Your Missional Imagination

Have you ever looked at the world and wondered, "What if things could be different?" That’s the power of missional imagination—the ability to see the same things as everyone else but envision new possibilities in light of God’s mission to reveal the kingdom of heaven on earth.

The Power of Imagination

Everyone has an imagination. It’s hardwired into us as people created in the image of God. Some have nurtured their imagination, dreaming big and innovating, while others have faced imagination blockers—things that suppress creativity and vision. Unfortunately, formal education often discourages imaginative thinking. Students are trained to find the one right answer, rather than explore a world of possibilities.

Studies show that creative thinking scores among American children have been declining since 1990, with the most significant drop happening between kindergarten and third grade. Imagine if instead of just finding the correct answer, students were taught how to ask the right questions—this could unlock their full imaginative potential.

Measuring Missional Imagination: The MIQ Scale

Because imagination can be measured and strengthened, the Missional Imagination Quotient (MIQ) was developed. This scale helps individuals and organizations assess their current position in missional imagination and determine their trajectory—are they moving toward greater creativity in mission, or away from it?

Here’s how the MIQ scale works:

MIQ 0: No Imagination (Actively Resistant)

This represents those who reject imaginative solutions. A classic example is the church board that dismissed William Carey’s vision for missions in India with the statement:
“Sit down, young man; when God pleases to convert the heathen, he will do it without your aid and mine.”
Such resistance stifles both individual creativity and organizational growth.

MIQ 5: Questioning & Willing to Imagine

This is where a church or leader starts asking big questions. Consider the First Church of Lexington: when they grew to 700 people, instead of expanding their building, they asked 50-100 members to plant a new church—not once, but five times! It required missional imagination to think beyond their walls and see church growth through multiplication, not expansion.

MIQ 8: Innovative & Bold

This level reflects a church or leader who embraces creativity and risks for the sake of mission. Shadowland Community Church reimagined their church building—not just as a worship space, but as an event venue used throughout the week by community groups. This approach provided both financial sustainability and missional outreach, embedding the church into the everyday life of the community.

MIQ 10: Visionary & Transformational

At the highest level, William Carey himself is an example. He didn’t just talk about mission—he organized, funded, and spent a lifetime ministering in India, translating Scripture, planting churches, and raising up indigenous leaders. He saw what others saw, but envisioned new possibilities to reveal the kingdom of heaven in India.

0 (Opposed to Imagination)

5 (Asking Questions)

8 (Innovating)

10 (Transforming)

Church board rejecting Carey

First Church Lexington church multiplication

Shadowland CC using space creatively

William Carey reshaping missions

Where Are You on the MIQ Scale?

Everyone has a current MIQ score, but here’s the good news: it’s not fixed! Just like a muscle, missional imagination can be strengthened through intentional use—or weakened through neglect. Negative influences can lower MIQ, while visionary thinking and courageous action can increase it.

How to Grow Your Missional Imagination

1. Take the MIQ assessment to determine where you or your organization currently stand on the MIQ scale.

2. Ask the hard question: Are we moving toward zero or ten?

3. Identify imagination blockers—fear, group think, proof texting, cultural rejection, lack of play, etc.

4. Cultivate curiosity—start asking “What if?” instead of saying “We can’t.”

5. Take small steps toward imaginative mission—try new ideas, collaborate, and learn from others.

Final Thought: Choose to Imagine More

God invites us into a bigger vision of the kingdom of heaven. What if your church or organization embraced a higher MIQ? What could be different? Where might God be leading you to imagine beyond what seems possible today?

Start moving toward a higher MIQ today! I would love to talk with you about the next step you can take to strengthen your missional imagination today.