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In effective missionary churches written policies almost always guide missions decision-making. One section of these guidelines typically outlines the qualities of effective missionaries, thus defining the type of missionaries that the church is willing to support. Although policies may differ in their description of the missionaries they wish to support ...
It can generally be said that missionary societies exist because missions leaders of local churches are unable to understand and implement world missions. I have often heard the question "Can local church leaders with a limited understanding of missions and the world effectively strategize for world missions?" The answer to ...
Picture a salvage ship sent to retrieve items lost at sea. To accomplish this task the captain and first mate diligently assemble the most qualified divers and technicians. Knowing that they will be accused of negligence and irresponsibility if anything goes wrong, the captain and first mate search for divers ...
After describing God’s sovereign work in the book of Revelation, Lesslie Newbigin made this incisive statement about the church: “The mission of the church is not merely an interpretation of history; it is . . . a history-making force. It is that through which God brings history to its goal, and only ...
The Demise of the Church?
Paradoxically one can do missions today without involvement with local churches. Many missionaries are sent out by para-church organizations to translate the Bible into vernaculars, dispense aid to needy people, enhance the development of nations, and train national church leaders in school settings without significantly ...
In a previous Monthly Missiological Reflection I described the apostolic nature of missionary ministry. Ideally, missionaries are church planters who so “believe that new converts will soon become church leaders" that a multi-church movement develops (April 2000). Missionary strategist David Garrison1, author of the Church Planting Movements, amplifies and broadens ...