Missions Blog for Churches

The first choice in any journey is determining the direction. When that decision is not a deliberate one, the journey is really more like a stroll: there is no clear destination. But when the goal is clear and the journey is underway, the group looks to the leaders to set the pace.

Similarly, a church’s mission ministry may or may not have a clear direction. If not, the articles in Laying the Foundation and Setting Your Sights will be helpful. Once churches have determined the direction for their missions ministry, they will want to mobilize their members towards that goal. However, many churches find that the number of members engaged in world missions is relatively few. Perhaps missions is seen as a distinct department, an annual event, or a ministry to be started in the future. The challenge facing these churches is inspiration. The articles in Setting the Pace are designed to help missions leaders engage their members in the Great Commission. While there are many ways to motivate members in missions, they will include efforts to educate, involve and focus your members.

The Great Commission is also a Gracious Commission. Some have incorrectly concluded that Reformed theology is a discouragement to missions, with its emphasis on God’s initiative. A proper understanding of Reformed theology, however, has had the opposite effect: countless numbers of Christians have committed their lives to missions, in response to the gracious love God has shown them and in the security they have that God is working in the lives of the people they serve. The article on Global Missions encourages Christians to stand on the theological foundations of the Great Commission.

Do not limit missions education to formal teaching, however. It has often been said that the gospel is more caught than taught. Thus, create opportunities for members to talk with missionaries, hear of the power of the gospel to change lives, and learn more about other cultures and what God is doing there. The article in Laying the Foundation on planning a missions conference may also be helpful.

PARTICIPATION
A critical element for missions mobilization is congregational participation. Church members cannot be allowed to drift into the error that missions is for a select few or a department of the church. Missions leadership must encourage every member to see missions as their personal responsibility, through praying, giving and going.

Praying: Help your members understand that through their prayers, they are sincerely and meaningfully engaging in world missions. The article on prayer will help you encourage prayer for missions throughout your church.
Giving: Your members should also be challenged to support missionaries financially. Giving through faith promise or other means will deeply connect your members to world missions.
Going: Short-term missions projects can have a transforming effect on your entire congregation, as participants return with stories of how God worked in and through their lives. Select projects in keeping with your overall vision, as the participants will develop a heart for the people and ministry. And in keeping with Acts 15:4, be sure to create ways for returning participants to tell the congregation how God worked in and through their lives.

FOCUS
Missions is all about relationship. And the more lasting the relationship, the more members will get behind efforts to develop those ministries. To that end, missions ministries have increasingly discovered the motivating power of selecting one or more sites for on-going emphasis and involvement. Many missions leaders desire a greater impact for their efforts and have found a long-term focus helps accomplish this goal. This direction can take many forms. For example, churches may choose to send members on short-term trips to the same site for several years. Missionaries and national leaders from these sites may be able to visit the church, increasing the direct relationship. Giving and education may be more concentrated. Finally, many churches are joining with other churches to coordinate and collaborate their efforts towards a shared vision. The articles on partnership will introduce your ministry to such initiatives.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Under the titles of the following articles, the “theme” refers to one of the essential elements of successful missions ministries listed in Window to the World. This list is included in the following pages. A fruitful exercise for your missions committee would be to evaluate your ministry according to each of the twenty themes and begin to strengthen undeveloped areas.

This article is available in PDF format for easier reading and printing by clicking here.

Creating synergy in a missions ministry comes by connecting the various components and ensuring they’re pulling in the same direction. When a ministry is aligned in this way, it will have far greater impact. Two ways to encourage integration follow. The first relates to internal integration, meaning that you are intentionally connecting the various components and values of your ministry. The second refers more to the people groups your ministry is reaching. This external integration links your ministry sites, particularly through developing a globalized approach to missions.

Internal Integration
Look over the “Essential Elements” list again. What would it look like to connect several elements? For example, integrating short-term, vision and church-planting could mean sending two-week project participants to sites that reflect your long-term vision for church planting. Connecting sacrificial giving and emphasis could mean increasing the level of support for missionaries going to your focus sites or directing a special offering towards that ministry. Integrating prayer, church leadership, national leadership and missions conference could mean inviting your church leaders to pray for their peers in another country during your missions conference. The more components you connect to others, the more impact your ministry will have.

In this exercise, circle three to five elements, review their summaries on the previous pages, and write out ways to integrate these components.

1. Missions Committee
2. Ecclesiology
3. Short Term
4. Prayer
5. Sustainability
6. Theology
7. Vision
8. Contextualization
9. Giving
10. Partnership
11. Word & Deed
12. Multiplication
13. Participation
14. Emphasis
15. Church Planting
16. Facilitation
17. Church Leadership
18. National Leadership
19. Education
20. Commission of Church

Another aspect of internal integration relates to connecting missions to other ministries of the church. There are philosophical and practical benefits for doing so. Philosophically, missions should not be seen as a separate department of the church, where only a few people are involved. Because the Great Commission is central in God’s heart, it should be central in the heart of all your members. No member is exempt from participating in God’s work of redemption. Or more positively, God wants to use every ordinary Christian—which is each one of us—in the most amazing story ever to be written.

Practically, integrating missions throughout your church’s ministries is the most effective way to involve your entire membership. While it may be possible to have a few missions events or initiatives throughout the year that include all your members, you will likely be disappointed if you expect such broad participation at every missions opportunity. Members’ schedules, gifts and calling all have to be considered. So, look for ways to integrate missions within existing commitments and schedules, thereby making missions more of a lifestyle.

For example, many missions ministries would like to mobilize their entire church for prayer. One way to do so is to schedule a few well-organized efforts, such as during a missions conference and on the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. In addition, look for ways to encourage others to pray for missions. This could mean including a missions prayer in the worship service(s), encouraging families to pray for missionaries, having Bible studies adopt a church-supported missionary for prayer, and asking Sunday school classes, youth groups and children’s ministries to pray for missions. Preparing simple prayer guides related to your missions ministries’ involvement will be a welcome stimulus.

Other suggestions include developing a two-week missions project for your youth, giving a missions presentation to your session, sending your pastor to a key site, including missions material in a bookstore or table, or asking the women’s ministry to host a missionary. By integrating the Great Commission into the life of your church, you will be more effective leaders of the entire congregation.

In the space below, list key ministries of your church and ways to involve them in missions:

________________________________________________________________________

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External Integration
This aspect has more to do with the ministry focus beyond the walls of your church, or what is referred to as the “here/there” integration of missions. Connecting your involvement overseas to ministry in your own community can have a powerful effect. For example, your church may decide to focus on a particular people group overseas.

Integrating that work locally could mean determining whether members of that same or a related people group live in your area. Short-term project participants could prepare to go overseas in part by meeting these people and beginning to appreciate their culture. During the trip, participants likely will develop a heart for them and will now have ongoing opportunities to serve locally. Overseas missionaries could help equip church members for such ministry. Other strategic possibilities exist as well, as many members of ethnic communities in the U.S. retain close ties to their home country. Ministry can follow these relationships in both directions. Resources and materials can be shared between the two sites. In some cases, national leaders have been raised up in one location to serve in the other. The motivating effect on church members is often significant, as they see the impact of integrating local and global missions.

In this exercise, list people groups your missions ministry is focused on reaching:

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Identify local communities of these same or related people groups:

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

List possible ways to connect ministry among similar people groups:

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

This article is available in .pdf format for easier reading and printing by clicking here.

There are a few presbyteries in the PCA that are doing things with missions that I’ve become aware of. In particular, and I think I’ve writeen of this before, Missouri Presbytery has created their own website to promote missions among each others churches. I’ve also recently come across the North Texas Presbytery’s site, which is using the web to keep everyone updated about their own missionaries.

Presbyteries working together just makes sense. But it takes leadership to make it work, and that’s where MTW’s Church Resourcing folks can help. We are focused on equipping leaders to lead in missions locally. We can help you with strategy as well as ideas to challenge and motivate the missions leaders to collaborate within your presbytery. Everyone doesn’t have to do the same thing at the same time to work together. Here are some ideas of what may work in your presbytery:

1. If you don’t have a missions or MTW committee at the presbytery level, get one established.
2. Establish a common priority (e.g. church planting, missionary care, helping our home-grown folks raise support faster to get to the field faster, etc…) or two. Get buy-in as you decide and then afterward get commitment.
3. Work toward that priority(s) through specific opportunities. For example, if your priority is to mobilize as many people to short term missions (knowing that it changes lives and builds passion in the hearts of participants), begin collaborating on trips, extending an open invitation for any participant within the presbytery to join your team. Recruit from new church plants and other churches that do not have an established missions ministry. It’ll probably be the ones that go on the short term trip who are the future missions leaders in those churches (or even future missionaries).
4. Use media and technology to extend and collaborate. If you produce a video, share it with other churches in the presbytery. Churches that support the same missionaries, or even a missionary who is on the same team as one they support, can gain great value from the media that you’ll use just a few times. If you have a report/presentation from the field that you can share electronically, doing so will extend your ministry and the field’s.
5. Create and foster creativity. There are gifts within your church which people have that you may not have thought of being tied to missions. Look for ways to make that connection. And then share that idea with other churches in the presbytery. Even better, share your person with their gift. You’ll foster a sense of creativity, helping others to discover creative ways they can assist and support the global church. Focus especially on gifts that demonstrate redemption. An individual act that demonstrates redemption is powerful…a collaborative act is astounding.

There are many more ideas that I could write or even that you could share (feel free to in the comments section below). But here is the key. You have to share and be open to others sharing with your church. This involves risk, and we in the PCA like to calculate quite carefully to avoid any and every risk. That’s not a bad thing. But be willing to trust and demonstrate some faith in our sovereign God, who is doing some pretty incredible things in our churches and around the world, but also in our presbyteries!

by David Brooks

“Gwen, come read this.” It was 1981, and we had just returned from a partnership trip to several churches in the South. Young and ready to go back to the mission field full-time, we needed more partners. This trip had been frustrating for a variety of reasons, so in my “thank you” note I had given some suggestions on how one church might improve its conference in the future. Then came the response from the senior pastor—he was very upset. I was stunned. I went back and reread my letter, seeing no problem. So I sent both letters to a colleague working with MTW at the time. His response was that I should write back and ask for forgiveness. But I had done nothing wrong! Out of respect for my colleague I did what he suggested, but it was certainly not out of conviction.

Twenty years later, a separate incident occurred. I was called my leader’s office. “Dave, I am going to resign. I see no other way forward for the work and I have always said if I became a part of the problem or could not do my job correctly then I would resign. I have reached that point.” I was not surprised but I was sad. Here was my leader, mentor, and friend making a difficult decision, and in this case the right decision because of unresolved conflict in a crucial partnership.

I was asked to replace him, and I began well. I met with several partners, listened, made changes, and things were improving. We were moving forward, and programs talked about in the past began to see results. But two years later I had an urgent meeting with the director of a major network that was key to the growing multiple partnership. We had hit a wall. He was frustrated with me and I was frustrated with him. We made some decisions and got past it but neither of us was happy with the other. (Continue reading this article in InVision…)

During the 2009 PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) General Assembly, MTW focused participants’ attention on India through their annual giveaway. The gift consisted of a coffee mug containing India tea (Darjeeling) and a bookmark with specific prayer requests about some of the needs in India. The mug directed recipients to visit the MTW website to view the following video, which tells more about the work of the Gospel there.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or(A) whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

One way to drink to the glory of God could be drinking better coffee. No, really! A friend of mine who is a church planter in the Atlanta-area, mentioned that they switched coffee they use for their fellowship time. He told me that not only is it good coffee, it’s for a good cause. The coffee is grown and harvested in Rwanda, by Rwandans. And there’s a missional connection. I’ll let you read their website to find out more about that: http://www.landof1000hills.com/

I’d love to see a PCA church begin something like this with an MTW work. A couple of years ago, MTW gave away coffee cups with small bags of coffee from our work in Ethiopia. The coffee was roasted and bagged by ladies who this ministry was reaching out to, who had been widowed by AIDS. The work allowed them to provide for themselves and their children. It’d be great to see some connection like that expanded. It would certainly create a meaninful partnership between US churches and the ministry in the country where the coffee is purchased from. Imagine each Sunday, a tasty reminder of missions for your people to sip on!

The following is part of a report from MTW’s Coordinator, Dr. Paul Kooistra. In it he describes the need for both US missionaries and partnerships with national leaders. MTW has seen a real growth in the number of national partners. This is truly exciting to think about, and I look forward to seeing more PCA members go to equip even more national partners. Indeed, theological training and ministry equipping are some of the strongest offerings the PCA has to the Church beyond our borders.

I am often asked why MTW does not work with nationals. The answer to the question is that we do work with nationals. In fact, we work with a lot of nationals. The number of our national partners now exceeds the number of long-term missionaries.

Some who ask this question are actually asking why we don’t work exclusively with nationals. To many it seems much more efficient and more economical.

As I have indicated above, MTW does not in any way diminish the importance of working with nationals. From the beginning of the Church, nationals have played a vital leadership role. Paul, during his first missionary journey, appointed local leaders in Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. Throughout church history the translation of the Bible into the vernacular was of primary importance.

On the other hand, we see that one church reached out to another church and to the masses held captive in the darkness of their own sin. It is not possible to reach out only with money. If we don’t give ourselves, we have missed the very essence of the gospel. The incarnation of God argues for an incarnational response.

We actually have some places in the world where nationals ask us to come, wanting no monetary help, but only the encouragement and connectivity with the Church in the United States. They recognize that their church is richer spiritually for its interaction with our Church.

What is now needed is for our Church to realize that we are richer for our interaction with other churches around the world. Paul reminds us that the body of Christ is made up of many parts. Usually, we only interpret this truth in relationship to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We need to see that this also relates to the different parts of the Church around the world. We need each other, and that is one reason we respond to the Great Commission.

Pray for MTW and our missionaries as we deal with the weak dollar and the financial crisis within the U.S. We will be monitoring the budget very closely. I pray we will be able to deal with this matter by being very careful.   -   Paul Kooistra

by, Joe Creech

The relationship between a church and its ministry partners—both missionaries and national workers—is a lot like a marriage. The relationship has to be developed and nurtured during the dating period in which they get to know each other. The relationship matures as they labor together in ministry. There will be various roles that both parties must learn and grow in over the years. The major difference is that this marriage takes place at a great distance. Nonetheless, establishing ministry partnerships will bring immeasurable benefits to our churches, both here at home and overseas. Through this, glory is brought to God as His kingdom is built.

We are challenged in Scripture with the beauty of partnership in the gospel. The great missionary Paul says that we are fellow-workers—partners—together with God (1 Corinthians 3:9). Paul thanks others for their partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:5). The kingdom of God will not be brought to earth by all of us running around as individuals doing our own thing. Rather as we come into relationship, joining hands with brothers and sisters and moving forward in the power of the Holy Spirit, the church will be built in such a manner that the gates of hell cannot stand against it. Our building partnerships is crucial to this, because relationship sets the context in which ministry can take place. (click here to read more of this article)

Join MTW Team Ecuador in Quito and Guayaquil for a long weekend of learning and experiencing the church planting work in Ecuador.

This trip is for lay missions leaders, session members, and other involved in missions, and will help those already interested in Ecuador to deepen their understanding and consider how their congregation may become more strategically involved in God’s work there. Members and potential members of the Ecuador partnership are highly encouraged to participate.

Participants would ideally travel to Quito on Thursday, November 6 and depart either late on the 10th or on the 11th.

The cost of the trip is $570 (plus airfare to/from Quito). This will include food, lodging, in-country transportation (including round-trip airfare to Guayaquil), insurance (required), and entry/exit taxes.

Click here for a complete brochure on the trip. (.pdf)

Contact Seth Wallace for more information at (678) 823-0004 x2145 or by email.

A MAJOR TREND IN MISSIONS
One of the most significant trends in missions today is the increasing number of churches that are focusing their ministry participation. The reasons for this direction include the following motivations:

• Desire for greater long-term impact in missions
• Desire to identify God’s unique calling for their church in missions
• Commitment to greater coherence and alignment in ministry involvement
• Interest in supporting fewer missionaries with more funds
• Desire for deeper relationships with the field
• Interest in collaboration with other sending churches

THE NEED FOR FOCUS
Developing a missions ministry is a bit like digging a well. To reach water, one must dig a well with the proper dimensions: it must be deeper than it is wide. Not only will such a well more likely reach water, the water will be fresh and plentiful.

Many churches are discovering that to have a lasting impact in missions, their missions ministry must have the right dimensions. It must be deep: the investment of prayers, energy, and finances should be significant. And while they may support people all over the world, their primary emphasis must not be too wide, perhaps focusing on one or two areas of commitment. No matter what size, all churches would do well to identify as precisely as possible the Lord’s missions direction for their congregation.

Through prayer and study, the following issues can help churches develop the right dimensions for going deep in their missions ministry:

Existing relationships
Does your church currently support a missionary? Is a church member serving as a missionary? Do you have other connections to an ongoing ministry? If so, you may want to deepen an existing relationship rather than start a new one.

Church members’ vision
Are there members or leaders of your church who have experience and/or a desire to work with a particular people group or area of the world? Have members of your church participated in short-term projects that have given them a heart for a certain group of people? God very often uses the vision of a few people to lead an entire church in the same direction.

Unique Connections
Does your church have a unique relationship to a region? Perhaps people from a particular country live near your church, and members have developed an interest in working with them locally and overseas. Or perhaps the nationality of a church member could serve as a
natural bridge to a part of the world.

Church relationship
Do you have a close relationship with another church that is already working with a particular people group? Developing a partnership for ministry may be a natural and effective way to go forward.

Ministry emphasis
Do you desire to participate with a particular type of ministry? Or do members of your church have certain skills or occupations that could be used most effectively in a specific field?

Some churches have developed a small committee to explore these and other issues in order to bring a recommendation to church leaders. Selecting a missions focus is no small task and one that must be supported by much prayer, study, and time. This investment on the front end will help determine God’s leading for a significant long-term commitment.

PARTNERSHIPS: A NEW MODEL FOR MISSIONS
Once an emphasis is determined, your church may want to explore joining others who share your commitment. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says a “cord of three strands is not easily broken.” Historically, the three strands of missions ministry have been churches, agencies, and field workers—though each has had to work fairly independently. Today, however, advancements in communications and transportation have appropriately given churches a desire for more direct involvement in field ministry. Mission to the World affirms this development, and is committed to facilitating churches in deeper connection to the field. Effective field ministry requires that this connection be coordinated, so that churches, MTW, and the field are working closely together and in a common direction. In order to accomplish this, Mission to the World is establishing partnerships for the development and support of ministry teams all over the world. The partnership would work closely with the field team to devise a common strategy for such responsibilities as:

• promoting the ministry in the U.S.
• recruiting and assessing short- and long-term personnel
• praying for the work and workers
• providing pastoral care
• determining what resources are needed in the field and working to provide them
• advocating for the persecuted Church
• providing financial support to a team ministry account
• helping connect field work with related people groups in the U.S.

This article is available in .pdf format for easier reading and printing by clicking here.