Anchored in Truth™ Striving Not to Build 'Great' Churches, but 'True' Churches

2/21/2010

Posted By Ken Askew

Strategy Statement for World Missions:

“The entire local church family personally and strategically involved in [world] missions, church planting, mobilizing laborers, prayer and finances to the end of glorifying God among all peoples.”

The Entire Local Church Family

We want the whole church family to have a passion for world missions.  While grateful for boards, methods and agencies, they should assist the local church in missions, not replace the local church.

In Acts 13:1-3, notice that God took the two best from the congregation, and called them out for missions.  Notice too that the church sent them out.  “The church is God’s sending agency.”  The Spirit said set them apart and the local church sent them out.  Every missionary should have this “double call.”  Those sent by the local church must also be accountable to the local church (Acts 14:24-28).  In Acts 15:1-7, it is the local church that is supervising and resolving problems that arise in missions.  “Biblical missions is by, of, and through local churches.”

Personally and Strategically Involved in World Missions

Unfortunately, too many people today view missions as an institutional endeavor and not a personal command for them today.  But missions is personal and many times the Spirit calls our own to be missionaries.

At the same time, strategically, we must make wise use of our time and money when it comes to what and who we support in missions efforts.  The end goals should be to plant local churches; particularly among unreached people groups.  “You don’t just run out and do missions.”  Missions has to be done strategically and you begin by training leaders and equipping local believers to carry own the work.  “Mature churches produce true missions;” that’s why it is so important for us to strengthen existing churches.

Mobilizing Laborers, Prayer and Finances

Patient waiting on the Lord is often necessary as we go about missions.  Sometimes we find ourselves waiting for the Spirit to call laborers while at other times we find ourselves waiting for finances to proceed.  Always, we wait on God to answer our prayers.

Glorifying God Among all Peoples

Glorifying God is the end purpose of missions.  If you’re into missions for your own motives and not for God’s glory, you will fail.  Missions is for God’s glory.  “…Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12)
Truth Matters articles are available online at www.truthmatters.us.  Comments may be sent to kenaskew@me.com.