Missions on Point

Church planting is a surprisingly polarizing topic. It comes at the intersection of ecclesiology and missiology, which is the hallmark of Missions on Point. So, though we may say things that spark enthusiastic discussions, we'll start this series on church planting over these eight episodes, fueled by my own experience in church planting at home and abroad and lots of study over a handful of decades. May you be encouraged in heart and mind to love the local church and become a proponent of church planting.

Parents of missionaries can feel quite left behind.  But don't worry, we haven't forgotten about you.  This podcast is for you.  Emotions are all over the place: excitement, sadness, joy, fear.  How can you follow the Lord in faith as your children or grandchildren follow the Lord overseas?  You have an important role to play, and God has a missions path for you too.  Find some encouragement and help in this episode with ways that you can facilitate your relationship and manage appropriate expectations.  You will be blessed in unexpected ways as God is at work in your heart causing you to trust in Him alone.  

Continuing the Missions Path from last week, we are considering what it looks like to be a field missionary.  There are some important strategies you need to consider.  Altogether, there are seven steps you can take to be a faithful missionary.  This episode especially focuses on the last few steps of a missionary and how to finish well.  We pray you are encouraged by thinking deeply and biblically about your priorities as a missionary.

What does it take to be an effective missionary on your field?  It takes a whole lot more than big dreams and wishful thinking.  It takes a lot of work.  But, what does that work look like, even down to your day to day activities?  This is what we explore on the Field Missionary Missions Path.  In this first part of 2 episodes dealing with this missions path, we explore the competency tools of aim, plan, build, and evaluate.  We chart a course ahead for how we can break down the lofty goals that can take decades to accomplish into more tangible expectations.  

Before you go, there is much preparation.  The best way to mitigate the struggles on the field is to be well prepared and well sent by your church.  This missions path episode is for the pre-field missionary, and it's crucial for the entire church to grasp the basics of missions here.  Your waiting is not in vain.  God will send you, when he wants to, and in his way.  So, use your time preparation well.  There is much to get started on now.  A successful pre-field ministry sets you up for a successful field ministry.

Someone needs to take up the delegated pastoral responsibility of missions in the church.  While smaller churches will necessarily employ one person with a large combination of responsibilities, as the church grows and the missions budget along with it grows, that responsibility will grow too.  And you may even find yourself in need of a full-time employed missions pastor.  Regardless of whether the missions pastor has other responsibilities or not, what does being a missions pastor entail?  Find out in this podcast about the 7 responsibilities that a missions pastor oversees.  

The Senior Pastor is the shepherd of the congregation who leads it in missions.  He sets the pace and expectations, but it's not up to him.  He, along with the church staff and the missions team all seek to equip the entire church for missions ministry.  But how does the Senior Pastor fit into this wonderful body?  He can be consumed by so much ministry that missions is often relegated to the periphery.  Or he can be overwhelmed by all that needs to be done.  Trust in the Chief Shepherd and leads others to him through the teaching and preaching of God's word.   

Your missions committee is a vital dimension of how your church fulfills its strategic missions focus.  Some people are delegated responsibility in your church to join this team and propel your church into greater missions effectiveness.  But, be careful.  Your committee should not be doing missions on behalf of your church.  They should be mobilizing the entire church to be involved in missions.  Find out here about 5 aspects of the missions committee.  

Everyone has a missions path, but someone has to help them find it.  Mobilizers are used in the body of Christ to equip the entire body for the work of missions.  While only a select few go on the field, everyone can play a supporting role.  Mobilizers disciple others in missions effectiveness, call the church to is biblical role, equip others with resources and help them overcome any hurdles they may have.  The work of missions is not easy, but mobilizers can help make the path straight.  

Churches and individuals should consider the value of Short Term Missions and how they fit into the larger picture of long-term missions ministry in planting churches.  Short term teams can provide ministry that long term missionaries could not do on their own.  Please tune in to today's episode to consider eight aspects of short term trips.  You careful planning, and your prayerful discernment about how God is leading you can be a blessing, not only to the missionaries on the field and the recipients of any ministry, but for the individual who goes on the trip too.  Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity for you to discern more clearly God's call on your life and your involvement in missions.