The Coworkers Podcast

How much travel is too much? How can parents think rightly, consider their own limitations, priorities, and the needs of their children and ministry targets, and make these decisions? Listen in as Shanee discusses best practices for families thriving in busy travel seasons with experienced missionary leaders Laura G and Debbie M.

There is a lot of discussion in the missions world on "multiplication vs. maturity" or "movement vs. healthy church." How should we think about these 2 different emphases in the work? Which is more important? Listen in as Jesse shares from Colossions that all missionaries must be furiously committed to both. 

There is more talk in the missions world recently about sending churches and organizations requiring new missionaries to have the same training and qualifications as pastors. While we appreciate the emphasis on preparing prospective missionaries well, we share 7 reasons that missionaries should not be required to have the same training and qualifications as pastors. This has important ramifications for sending out new workers - listen in!

The new year is a chance for a fresh start. Additionally, our family and many of our coworkers are preparing for unexpected, fresh beginnings in new ministry this year. We want to begin with the final day in mind. Listen in as Jesse shares from Paul's account of his service in Ephesus. Paul served wholeheartedly, testified unceasingly, and lived generously.

When we feel called to serve as missionaries, it can be difficult to discern where God is sending us! Listen in as we share a few questions you can ask yourself to help you make this important decision. 

Should we use methods and tools in our evangelism, discipleship, and church planting work, or are methods "pragmatic?" Listen in to hear what the Bible says about methods, necessary traits of good methods, and dangers of methods. 

Many times we subconsciously have wrong beliefs about grief, such as that crying is weak or that self-reflection is self-centered and unproductive, which leads us to avoid, stuff, or deny uncomfortable emotions, and miss out on the abundant life the Lord Jesus offers to us. Listen in as we share 6 reasons you should intentionally work to grow in healthy emotional expression.

Many times we subconsciously have wrong beliefs about grief, such as that crying is weak or that self-reflection is self-centered and unproductive, which leads us to avoid, stuff, or deny uncomfortable emotions, and miss out on the abundant life the Lord Jesus offers to us. Listen in as we share 6 reasons you should intentionally work to grow in healthy emotional expression. 

We (rightly) study the book of Acts and particularly Paul's missionary journeys to learn the biblical pattern for mission work. However, in most missions contexts, we foreign missionaries shouldn't function as the "Apostle Paul." We are not the strategy! Instead, we should function in a catalytic role similar to Barnabas. Barnabas was an encourager, advocated for the Apostle Paul when other believers didn't trust him, went out with Paul on their first missionary journey, and then begins falling into the background as Paul becomes prominent. Similarly, missionaries' primary function, when possible, should be to advocate for, train, and catalyze local believers to be the "main doers" in their context. 

The church is the family of God, and spiritual mothers and fathers are necessary for the flourishing of the church. Just as biological mothers bring new life into the world and nurture children, spiritual mothers procreate spiritually and nurture spiritual children. Listen in as Christy Allen, a missionary with 14 years of field experience and teacher at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, teaches on this biblical principle and shares examples from her own life.