There is new competition for the hearts of souls of people. Secularism ridicules belief and commitment. Religious pluralism undermines the claims of the Gospel. In this environment it takes courage to be a follower of Jesus. Without a doubt this is a mission field.
Pastors are missional leaders.
Churches are mission outposts. Neighborhoods are mission fields. The missional challenge is for the local church to do more than support missions. It does missions. A missional church is not content to just send others.