Over the years, missions agencies and churches have diverged from each other and often find themselves at odds. But, missions agencies provide a unique role in fostering church partnerships. First, agencies must recognize how they have succumbed to mission creep, no long supporting the church like they originally intended. Second, missions agencies can equip the church for their role. Third, they can let go of those roles that most appropriately belong under the domain of the local church. Furth...
Mar 15, 2024•15 min•Ep. 191
No matter what kind of church you are, there is value in establishing church partnerships in the work of missions. Three kinds of churches are explored in this episode: the sending church, the supporting church, and the receiving church. Each kind of church has a unique interest in church partnerships. Churches need other churches. Just like the Gentile churches sent support to the church in Jerusalem, we too need to be aware of and ready to help other churches in need. And who knows, one day we...
Mar 08, 2024•15 min•Ep. 190
The missionary is a bridge between two cultures and the churches in those cultures. Church partnerships provides the framework for the missionary to understand the value of his work. Sometimes work like raising support and writing newsletters can feel like a drudgery, and simply a means to an end. But they're not. They support the grand vision of church partnerships. A vision for church partnerships can help motivate the missionary in their work to rise above the reduction of their ministry to m...
Mar 01, 2024•16 min•Ep. 189
What do church partnerships have to do with missions? Isn't it enough that we see healthy churches planted and leaders developed? In this episode we walk through the biblical account of God's plan for his glory through the unity of churches across cultures as we together worship the same risen Lord and Savior. Ever since the Tower of Babel, our cooperation has been cursed. But now that we share the same Spirit, church partnerships can show the world something unique about God's glory. This is th...
Feb 23, 2024•17 min•Ep. 188
We are weak, limited and frail. Where can we find the strength to endure until the end, to accomplish the great task that Jesus has given to us to go into all the world, teaching disciples to obey all that Jesus has commanded us? We are desperately dependent on God alone for both our justification and our sanctification. God guarantees the success of the mission because he guarantees that his presence will go with us. We find comfort in the powerful, personal presence of our Savior....
Feb 16, 2024•16 min•Ep. 187
Most people think of discipleship in terms of teaching, but it is easily neglected or undervalued. It's too easy to think that something else is the objective. Keeping this goal in mind, though, has dramatically important implications for the church and missions. We cannot fulfill the goal without the life-long discipleship that is found in the local church. From the cradle to the grave, everyone is still learning to grow in their obedience to all that Jesus has commanded his disciples....
Feb 09, 2024•15 min•Ep. 186
Who should we invest our time and efforts into making disciples? How do we know if someone is truly serious about pursuing discipleship or not? Jesus has given a very simple command, and it should be considered the beginning of discipleship. Baptism is the glue between the church and missions, and we need to get baptism right in order to hold the two together.
Feb 02, 2024•15 min•Ep. 185
What is the scope of discipleship endeavors in the church? Who should we seek to make disciples of? Jesus makes a radically inclusive call for all peoples in every tribe, tongue, and people group to become his disciple. And thankfully, we are given the promised vision in heaven that this reality will one day be true. For now though, we need to set our sights on the nations of the world, especially those places that are darkest, the unreached and unengaged.
Jan 26, 2024•18 min•Ep. 184
Jesus begins the Great Commission by declaring that all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. But what does this mean for the church and for missions? Jesus' authority is essential for missionaries because it grounds them in the sure foundation of God's word and the church which is where Jesus' authority is exercised. Be wary of missionaries who are untethered from the church, just as we should be wary of anyone who comes in their own authority.
Jan 19, 2024•17 min•Ep. 183
Matthew 28:18-20 is the familiar final command of Jesus giving to us "The Great Commission." In this series we do a deep dive into the Great Commission to see its implications for missions and the church. Jesus gives the central command for the church to make disciples. Discipleship is then defined with 5 distinct aspects, which will then constitute the remaining episodes in this series.
Jan 12, 2024•15 min•Ep. 182
Here in the closing books of the New Testament, we see faithful church leaders writing to scattered Christians under persecution and to specific local churches. These books give instruction, encouragement, and correction to church leaders and the believers in their care. We continue to observe that the local church is the greenhouse for growing Christians in their faith. The startling visions of Revelation are also bookended with specific instruction and hope-filled comfort for local churches, w...
Jan 05, 2024•15 min•Ep. 181
The life and writings of the Apostle Paul are God's gift to the church. It's fair to say that we wouldn't understand the Gospel, theology, or missions well apart from Paul's example and letters. So, we read the New Testament and are encouraged to prioritize the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His church. Paul's example also teaches us to be team players, stick to priorities, and have a big heart for those supporting and serving alongside us.
Dec 29, 2023•16 min•Ep. 180
This is a dramatic and critical narrative of the beginnings of the church, the first sent-out missionaries, and the grace of God through the Gospel to Gentile believers everywhere. Persecution exists as a thread throughout the story of missions. God's deliverance for His servants also exists. The first time believers were called Christians was in a Gentile church in a Gentile city. We wear that nametag today across the world. God used the church in Antioch to be the first sending church to Barna...
Dec 22, 2023•16 min•Ep. 179
It is a delight to read the dramatic narrative of the earliest church growing as the Gospel is faithfully preached in the book of Acts. Luke, the human author guided by the Holy Spirit, weaves in the key figures and moments in church development as their concept of missions was being formed. We see touches with many ethnicities from the beginning of the church in Acts chapter 2, the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The momentum and diversity grow in the subsequent chapters, b...
Dec 15, 2023•14 min•Ep. 178
Christ's last days on earth, His final teachings, instructions, and commands build a consistent crescendo of missions direction. The elements of gospel proclamation to the whole world were repeated themes. We see Christ showing and telling of this missions theme up to his final command, reiterated until his ascension into heaven.
Dec 08, 2023•15 min•Ep. 177
Perhaps we don't see Christ's ministry to the nations in the Gospels. Perhaps we minimize what we do see. This episode highlights some key observations that show Christ's consistent ministry to Gentiles and teaching that "all nations" are included in God's plan for the Gospel. Jesus' choices, interactions, teachings and instructions, and miracles all point to His extraordinary inclusiveness to all nations. This episode should help open your eyes to see it and be thankful for Christ's ministry to...
Dec 01, 2023•12 min•Ep. 176
We now begin a series of missions insights from the New Testament. Appropriately, we begin with the birth of Christ. Through the record of Christ's birth and the people involved, we see God's clear intent to bring salvation to all nations. This was prophesied in the Old Testament, demonstrated even through the lineage of Jesus, and confirmed by many people connected to His actual Incarnation and young childhood. God is faithful, in Christ, to fulfill his Word to bless all nations through the see...
Nov 24, 2023•13 min•Ep. 175
It is fitting for us to consider Christ in the Old Testament. His life, ministry, death, and resurrection are the basis of the Gospel message of missions. Christ Himself teaches that the whole Old Testament speaks of Him as well as predicts His life and work in God's plans for His glory. So, it is a wonder to behold Him throughout the Old Testament. The Old Testament uses over 100 titles and names for Christ. Particulars of His position, His majesty, His perfections, and His cross-work are pictu...
Nov 17, 2023•14 min•Ep. 174
In this episode we take a look at a couple of unique Old Testament missionaries - reluctant Jonah and captive Daniel. We also see God's purposes in the last words of the Old Testament before 400 years of silence until the coming of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. We clearly see God's heart for the nations, His clear purposes to be glorified and worshiped among all nations, and His faithfulness to give spokesmen who proclaim His majesty and greatness no matter the circumstances.
Nov 10, 2023•14 min•Ep. 173
Psalm 67 is an outstanding example of a missions Psalm. The key phrases highlight for us how to read and look for God's missions purposes woven throughout the Old Testament. The purpose of God's blessing on His people is so that those resources would be used to draw people from all the earth to acknowledge and worship the one true God. We see similar phrases and usage in the great books of Isaiah and Ezekiel.
Nov 03, 2023•14 min•Ep. 172
In our selective insights, we'll look at the purposive statement recorded about the story of David and Goliath. The phrase "that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel" is a key phrase used in various forms to show God's intent to spread His glory to all nations. Jesus reinforces this interpretation with His own statements in Luke 4 and the conduct of His own ministry. We see this repeated phrase, or equivalent, by other leaders and servants of God repeated many times throughout th...
Oct 27, 2023•11 min•Ep. 171
We start a new series to introduce you to missions insights from the Old Testament. There are an abundance of things we could mention. But this series will focus on whetting your appetite with some personal favorite instances to highlight. The story of God's call and promise to Abraham is a crucial development in God's overarching purpose to bring glory to Himself in all nations. Genesis 1-11 can be regarded as an introduction to the main story of redemption, which unfolds here.
Oct 20, 2023•13 min•Ep. 170
We've settled on a shorter, clearer book title -- Missions on Point: The Local Church's Role in Missions. This episode is a reprise that corrects the previously announced draft title. There are current thoughts in the missions world that missions agencies should give up on local churches' participation. Agencies are seeking to harden themselves to become independent of local churches. That thinking is dangerous and unbiblical! Local churches must rise up and take serious responsibility for their...
Oct 13, 2023•11 min•Ep. 169
This is the last episode of the preview series of a book underdevelopment on the centrality of the church in missions. Please let us know if you're interested in being on the list to be notified when it is published. This episode is the capstone and summary of the main ideas presented in the previous episodes, starting with Ep. # 142. The local church is God's agent to accomplish His will on earth. The local church is central, by design, in missions as per biblical principles and precepts. The l...
Oct 06, 2023•13 min•Ep. 168
There are people and ministries who identify themselves as "missions mobilizers." We review the need and definition of missions mobilization. Yet, the missing element in most missions mobilization is the neglected role of the sending church. Mobilization would have stronger and better long-term results if more attention was given to developing the mobilization capacity of local churches! The best mobilization is by, with, and through the local church for the end goal of planting local churches a...
Sep 29, 2023•13 min•Ep. 167
What difference does this biblical orientation toward local-church-centric missions make for the missionary training school? There are lots of types of missionary training programs and institutions. Many are quite specific in what things they tackle in missionary training and preparation. Others are traditional Christian colleges and universities with a degree or diploma program specifically aimed at training missionaries. Yet, in light of our study, most do not include a seat at the table for t...
Sep 22, 2023•15 min•Ep. 166
We boldly talk to people about their missions giving, especially our beloved generous missions donors. Keep in mind this important principle of biblical local-church-centric ministry philosophy. It shapes the direction, criteria, and relationships of our giving. It has biblical, long-term, and discerning factors involved. Do you want more joy, more genuine long-term results, more spiritual fruit from your kingdom investments? Listen to this podcast and refer it to others.
Sep 15, 2023•16 min•Ep. 165
This is a tough paradigm shift for missions agencies. But it must be done if we are to be faithful to God's church on both sides of biblical cross-cultural ministry. When we know the right thing to do, we must do it with determination and grace. So, missions agency, get more focused on the role of the sending local church. Recruit not just individuals but those individuals' churches. Equip, enable, and facilitate the church in sending the best prepared, best sent, best-shepherded missionaries in...
Sep 08, 2023•16 min•Ep. 164
Sooner rather than later, dear missionary candidate and missionary, get your church involved in your missionary development and missions ministry! The stakes are high. If you really want to be faithful and effective long-term on the mission field, you MUST get your home/sending church connected with a true sense of partnership and ownership in your ministry. True, it means giving up some "independence" and "personal rights." But that's way better than burning out! You will love having a solid te...
Sep 01, 2023•15 min•Ep. 163
The local church mentor of the missionary wannabe is almost totally neglected in today's world of missionary preparation. There have been organizations that have tried to bridge the gap with very limited effectiveness. There is nothing like a warm, godly relationship within the home/sending church to walk alongside and give sound perspective and encouragement for the whole process of thorough preparation for the mission field. This episode unpacked the character of the mentor's role and the jour...
Aug 25, 2023•16 min•Ep. 162
