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Today's mission e-ssentials:
More than a few “pot-lucks” - Staying Connected
One of the
foremost desires of most missions committees is how to make the
missionaries they support more than just a picture on the wall in the
foyer of the church. Staying connected with missionaries who serve
continents away is something at which most of us have to work hard. Some
are gifted at letter writing and communication, but most agree that these
skills are not their strong suit.
Paul Craig,
TMM missionary to Kenya, pointing to the letter to the
Philippians,
highlighted several important principles that when followed insure that
missionaries and their supporting churches stay connected.
Participation: Phil. 1:5 This is the fundamental key to staying
connected when separated by time and oceans. The time spent with each other
in doing the ministry of the gospel is fondly remembered. These shared
experiences lead to prayers of thanksgiving and the desire for further
contact. Short term trips help provide opportunities for such partnership.
Another great way is to plan real involvements in ministry at the home
church with the missionary before they go to the field and when they are on
furloughs. Chapter 4, verse 9, shows the kinds of involvement Paul had with
the Philippian congregation. Each word used to convey the “things” they
were instructed to practice later hints at activities missionaries can do
with their sending church:
“the things …
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“you have
learned” |
assumes |
teaching
and discipling sessions |
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“and
received” |
assumes |
missionaries who give of themselves |
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“and
heard” |
assumes |
truths,
stories and events communicated |
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“and
seen” |
assumes |
time for
observing ministry skills |
Seeking to
include these kinds of activities into ‘deputation’ time and travel will
usually yield greater long term benefits and dividends in the lives of
others and potential supporters.
Kindred
Concern: Phil 2:19-20 with vs. 28 The Apostle Paul, Timothy and
Epaphroditus illustrate the concern these servants had for their church and
for each other. Such kindred concern is built on shared relationships as
fellow ‘brothers’, ‘workers’, ‘soldiers’, ‘messengers’, and ‘ministers’ (vs.
25). When such concern is linked with opportunity and revived (4:10)
relationships between the churches and their missionaries grow strong and
reflect sacrifices that are well pleasing to God (vs.18). Sacrifice is the
right word - for there are always too
many things that need to be done. This never changes either with the
supporting church or the missionary. So to make time for communication and
relationships means a sacrifice somewhere. But the hearing of each other’s
condition that reduces concern brings rejoicing (2:19 with 28). These are
the kinds of communications that go beyond the “What can we do for you?”
to the messages and personal gifts sent that bring the response, “They
remembered!”
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If we pay
the cost of creativity to revive opportunity …
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If we pay
the costs of time, mail, and travel …
-
If we pay
attention when together to know what will bless later …
The
missionaries’ pictures will not only be on our maps in the foyer, but also
on our hearts!
The
Master’s Mission emphasizes the family as the context of
ministry and
the Word of God as our
all-sufficient and authoritative guide
in establishing and strengthening
churches worldwide.
Sign up for
missions e-sentials, the periodic e-mail service to pastors,
elders, and missions committee leaders from
The Master’s Mission
You will
find practical and timely helps on:
-
Doing missions in ways
consistent with the Biblical mandate
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Evaluating methods –
separating the best from rest
-
Training your missions
committee
-
Understanding the role
of family to missions
-
Staying connected with
those you send to the field
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Biblical
Philosophy of Missions Seminar in your church
Mission
Committee Helps
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Do I Apply?
FAQ's
More About TMM:
e-ssentials Archives:
Missionews Archives:
 For
Such A Time As This: The Kashtan Family, Israel, and HaChotam Publishing
(Summer 2007)
Minister
of the Sword - Ministers of the Gospel: An Introduction to Active Duty
Missionary (Spring 2007)
Getting
Out of the Zone: Jeff and Peggy Heidorn (Winter 2007)
Finding
The Will of God: Active Duty and Open Doors (Spring 2006)
Promising Days:
Looking Back and Ahead After 25 Years of Missions Ministry (Spring 2005)
Paul and Jill Craig:
Fully Convinced - Walking in Love (Summer 2004)
Jon and Becky
Woodworth: Kali (Autumn 2003)
Tim and Cheryl Hinds:
Conserving the Results (Winter 2003)
Temple and Beth
Knowles: Unusual Challenges, Unusual Obedience in Ngurinit, Kenya
(Spring 2003)
TMM Training Program: Whatever
It Takes - Adding Ability to Desire (Spring 2002)
Commit
These To Faithful Men: The Training Staff of The Master's Mission
(Winter 2001)
Eitan and Orit Kashtan: In Light of Hope
- Laboring for Christ in Israel (Autumn 2001)
Daniel and Neli Popa: Romania -
Changing the Landscape and Lives (Autumn 2000)
Jon and Almi Johnson: Sekanani: Toehold
Among the Maasai (Spring 2000)
Pastor's Journal Archives:
(click here)
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