Guest: Dr. Glen Thompson, Professor Emeritus at Asia Lutheran Seminary

Topics Covered:

* Key missiological ideas in the first 12 chapters of Acts, including the conversion of Peter and the stories of Stephen and Philip

* The importance of humanitarian aid in missions

* Different categories of missionaries and how Paul fits into those categories

* Paul's mission strategy and the importance of flexibility

* The importance of the polis in understanding the early church

* The multi-site church model and its roots in the early church

* Training of church leaders in the early church

* The importance of letter writing and other forms of technology in the early church

* The Book of Acts as a descriptive rather than prescriptive guide for missions

Key Takeaways:

* The Book of Acts is a valuable resource for understanding the early church's missiological approaches, but it is not a prescriptive manual.

* Flexibility is key in missions, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

* The early church made effective use of technology, such as letter writing and the codex.

* The multi-site church model has roots in the early church's approach to ministry.

Call to Action:

* Read the Book of Acts with an eye toward the missiological principles it reveals.

* Consider how you can be more flexible in your own approach to missions.

* Explore the resources listed in the show notes to learn more about the early church and its missiology.

Additional Notes:

* The interview also touched on the importance of the Holy Spirit's guidance in missions and the need for missionaries to be sensitive to the cultural contexts in which they serve.

* Dr. Thompson emphasized the importance of partnership and cooperation among missionaries and churches.

* He also encouraged listeners to pray for missionaries and to support them financially and practically.

Links and Resources:

* Missionary Methods: St. Paul's or Ours by Roland Allen

* Understanding Church Growth by Donald McGavran

* Paul the Missionary: Realities, Strategies and Methods by Eckhard Schnabel

* Dr. Thompson’s Website: www.fourthcentury.com

* Books by Dr. Thompson:

* In This Way We Came to Rome

* Jing Jiao: The Earliest Christian Church in China

Common Terms and Links on Jesus and Jetlag

* WELS = Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (wels.net)

* WLS = Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon Wisconsin (wisluthsem.org)

* Collection of Confessional Lutheran Essays

* BWM = WELS Board for World Missions

All commentary, statements, and discussion on this podcast reflect the knowledge, insight, and experience solely of the individuals presenting and featured on the podcast.

Get full access to Gospel Centered at www.gospelcenteredmentoring.site/subscribe