Unfrequently asked Questions in Missions

What are some hindrances to missions?

Doctrinal. People have not really come to a solid understanding of the exclusivity of Christ. Additionally, people have not come to understand how God has chosen to communicate His Word to this world. Faith comes from hearing? Yes or no. How can they hear unless they are sent? Yes or no. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. — Before that Romans 10:15 “15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

Lack of understanding about the need. The greatest resource we have to give is not financial but Bible teachers. Some might say “why don’t we just send money.” The poverty in this world is only a small reflection of the theological famine in the land.

Not trusting God’s plan to meet the need. Why should we be so given to seeing churches planted. Are there not more urgent needs? I believe most people have a low view of church because it has mostly been an event venue for them and not the most powerful force for good in their community.

Apathy. We only have some much energy to give. Many people desire the preeminence in life and missions does not fit into their agenda.

Why we need the church so desperately in missions endeavors:

The mission’s stipulations imply the need of the church

The commands for New Testament believers necessitate the formation of churches; the Great Commission itself mandates the training of those who believe on Jesus. The missions-hearted believer often abandons the church because he is interested in ministry other than disciple-making; this is tragic because it is nothing less than disregarding the mission and disobeying the Mission-giver.

The authority of Christ lies squarely behind the church The difficulties of the mission are not to be underestimated; the church is the lone institution on earth that bears the guarantee of Christ’s love and power.

The church is uniquely equipped to address the complexity of sin Attempts to minister to people in their brokenness are always much harder than they first appear; sin’s roots are twisted and deep. Other organizations may content themselves to fight against one facet of sin’s effects in a person’s life, but the disciple-making church fights every manifestation of evil.

The church possesses the strongest motivation to fight injustice

Without deep motivation, people – even missionaries – become passive in the war against sin; forward progress in the mission will always require radical sacrifices.

5. God’s presence is most clearly manifested through the assembled church

Ephesians 3:10 KJV 1900

10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

What is the good, the bad, and the ugly of deputation?

Good

Missionaries get to encourage hundreds of churches.

People get to know the missionaries they support.

It is relatively quick

Bad

It is hard on families. About 15 churches a month for about 2.5 years

It can cause the sending church to believe they have been replaced with a group of other churches

People meet so many missionaries that we have made it a system and forget what is really happening. 3 John

Ugly

Being good or bad at deputation is not always an indicator of a persons readiness for the mission field.

It promotes too much of an individual mindset about getting to the field.

It can be abused, by people who shouldn’t be supported.

What is the missionary call? Are we all missionaries?

Reminder there was a time Paul needed someone to vouch for him at the church.

Paul and Barnabas were both involved in the work of the ministry. 2 Tim 3:14-15 “14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Missions should be the relocation of a ministry that the start of one.

The church had been given a commission and was looking how to move forward.

God gave a desire for that type of work to Paul and Barnabas. They aspired. The church affirmed. They sent out, but stayed really involved.

After planting new churches on that first journey (Acts 13–14), he settled back into his sending church for a while (Acts 14:24–28).

Then, fast forward to when he wrote a letter to the church in Rome while spending time with the church in Corinth. He expressed his need for support in getting to where Christ was not yet known: Spain (Rom. 15).

We all are sent, but we all are not missionaries.

important to recognize our shared identity as “sent ones”

The phrase “goer, sender, or disobedient” is beneficial but incomplete

If a word means everything, it means nothing.

Missionary refers to two things (1) the cultural barriers they will cross (2) a life commissioned to a certain mission (3) a means in which they are provided for

There is a great word for the person who is not a missionary but still involved in missions; an obedient Christian.

What is the relationships between the missionary and the local church:

The missionary is trained in the local church Acts 13:1

The missionary is known by the local church Acts 13:1

The missionary is called through the local church Acts 13:2

The missionary is sent by the local church Acts 13:3

The missionary is accountable to the local church Acts 14:27-28

The missionary is to reproduce a local church. Acts 16:5

What are someways to be involved in missions without serving as a missionary?

Non-Negotiable

Obey Jesus prayer request and prayer for laborers to the harvest

Be involved in Great Commission work here; teach, baptize, teach

Be involved in ministry “both” here and there. Be a faithful witness at work and give some of your work hours to allow someone to do witness on the other side of the world.

If given the opportunity

Take short term missions trips and help others do the same

Develop good friendships with missionaries. It will be mutually beneficial. (they get ignored on the field)

Look for needs and try to meet them. (places that need resources, whatever you do for profit could probably also assist others as well)

Be an advocate for missionaries in your church. Every church should have the man who gives our candy. We also need the members with prayer cards in their purse and pockets. Reminding us to pray for our missionaries.

Example of a couple mightily involved in missions.

Acts 18:24–26 (KJV 1900)

24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

Romans 16:3–4 (KJV 1900)

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.